Starburst: Half Light

by Alyssa Rose Ivy

  “I agree. Somehow this is going to tie into the prediction. I am sure of it.” Bessy put her feet up on the table.

  “Is there more to the prediction you are not telling us?” Veraka scowled.

  “No. But the crossroads is centered around an old Andrelexa dispute. Going there makes sense.”

  “What old dispute?”

  “It would take too long to explain. Please figure out if this Caspian is really there so I can get to my daughter sooner versus later.”

  “Can’t Veraka find him?” Dale asked. “He is your starmate after all.”

  “I…” Veraka started and then stopped. “I don’t know how. I mean I haven’t even met him.”

  “But if he’s your starmate, you should be able to find him.” Bessy sighed. “How did you two connect to begin with?” She looked between Noah and me.

  “Rachel showed up on my front porch looking for her brother,” Noah explained.

  “See? Not so hard.” Bessy laughed. “And you all think the universe plans everything out.”

  “Maybe she could use your chair cage thingy to find him,” Dale suggested. “It worked for Noah.”

  “Uh, cage thingy?” Veraka asked.

  “It’s not actually that bad. But I doubt you need it. You just have to reach into yourself.” Noah explained.

  “Considering you were about to put yourself into a coma, I bet you can do this.” I patted her shoulder.

  “I can’t do it!” Veraka pushed back her chair and ran from the room.

  “Uh, what was that about?” Dale watched the empty entryway.

  “I’ll find her.” I squeezed Noah’s hand before going in search of Veraka.

  I hadn’t had time to search much of the ship, but I knew Veraka hadn’t either. I went back to one of the few places we had found. The systems closet where I had been working on Amsi.

  I found her sitting with her back against the cabinet with her hands over her face.

  “Hey, you okay?” I knelt beside her.

  She lowered her hands revealing red-rimmed eyes. “I’m sorry for that outburst.”

  “It’s okay. We all have our moments.” I certainly did.

  “That was more than a moment. That was a meltdown.”

  “It’s been a crazy day. Or days?” I couldn’t really remember how much time had passed. With all the traveling I was losing track of time.

  “Or so you say. You never have issues like this.”

  I laughed dryly. “Oh yeah? You want to bet? Not to mention you saw how worried I got about Noah’s ship.”

  “I do want to bet. Considering you found out that the man you thought loved you had been lying to you and that your home planet was still around, yet you held it together enough to go there and find your starmate. Then you got separated from him and still found me. You are so strong. I could never be like you.”

  “You trusted me enough to come out of your coma. You boarded a ship with a snow-demon you didn’t know. And you held me together when I got nervous. I was about to send us running away from my starmate. If it wasn’t for you Noah wouldn’t be onboard.”

  “You would have figured it out yourself.”

  “I’m not sure why you have so much faith in me but not yourself,” I spoke gently as I settled in to sit beside her.

  “I think most of us can say that about ourselves.”

  “You’re probably right. Or we are on such the other extreme that we over compensate. Either way, you can do this. You can find Caspian.”

  “If I could, why didn’t I do it sooner?” She pulled her knees up to her chest.

  “Maybe the universe wanted you to wait for me. Because we were supposed to meet.”

  “Wait.” Surprise crossed her face. “You are admitting that the Universe could have big plans.”

  “Yes. Okay? I’m starting to feel like there has to be something else going on here.”

  “Wow.” Her eyes lit up.

  “Does that help you somehow? Knowing I’m starting to believe?”

  “Yes.” She slid her legs down. “Yes. If you are willing to believe in the power of the universe, then I am willing to believe in my own abilities.”

  “Great.” That had been way easier than I thought.

  “So let me know when you are ready.”

  “Ready for what?” I asked.

  “To go back in the coma to wait.”

  “Wait… what?” I snapped. “I never said I would do that.”

  “Maybe you didn’t say it with exact words but you implied it. You believe in the power of the universe. Therefore, you understand that to get the answers we want we need to wait for it.”

  “Nope.” I shook my head over and over. “That was not what I was getting at. Not at all.”

  “I cannot find him any other way. It is impossible.”

  “What happened to believing in yourself?” Surely she hadn’t forgotten that already.

  “How do I do it?”

  “I don’t know. Maybe just close your eyes and think of him?” Closing my eyes had worked for me when he was already sending out a signal.

  “How can I think of him? I’ve never met him.”

  “Yet he’s got to be part of you already somehow… or so they all say.” I was getting increasingly used to talking about thinking I didn’t really understand.

  “Come on. Would you have been able to find Noah before you met him?”

  “I never tried. We didn’t even find out we were starmates until after we met.” But it was an interesting question. One I would never have to find an answer to.

  “Maybe you can try to find Caspian.”

  “That’s not going to work.” I shook my head. “Impossible.”

  “How do you know until you try it?”

  “Because I know.” And because focusing on thoughts of Caspian wouldn’t be a good thing for me.

  “Then maybe if you spend time with Noah.”

  “How will that help?” Not that I minded that suggestion. I’d been waiting to spend time with Noah since I last saw him.

  “Maybe you can use his help to find Caspian.” She moved to her knees.

  “As much as I want to spend time with Noah, I don’t see how that will help.”

  “Well, it puts less pressure on me.” She put her hands together as if in some sort of prayer. “Please. Please try.”

  “Will you try to find him while I talk with Noah?” I was only agreeing if she agreed to try.

  “Talk?” She raised an eyebrow. “Is that what you two do when you are alone?”

  I felt blood rush to my face. “What we do when we are alone is between us.”

  “Come on. We are practically sisters.”

  “Sisters? I don’t think I’m following.”

  “We are connected by the nature of what we are.” She spread her arms wide.

  “I agree with that.”

  “So we continue the course to Andrelexa. Hopefully, before we get there one of us figures out for sure whether Caspian is there.”

  “Let’s hope so.” I stood. “But If I come back and you’ve voluntarily gone back into your coma, I will be very annoyed.”

  “And if you come back and report that all you and Noah have done is talk I will be very annoyed.” She grinned.

  I rolled my eyes. “Hardly the same thing.”

  “Doesn’t have to be the same thing.”

  “Are you going to stay in here?”

  “Why not?” She shrugged. “It’s quiet and comfortable.”

  “Okay. Well, call me if you need me. I’ll give you some space.” I really hoped I’d helped some.

  “Don’t check on me. Focus on Noah. I really think that’s the answer.”

  “Because the universe told you?” After the words came out I realized they might sound condescending. I was sleep deprived, and it was beginning to show.

  “No. Because I know you and what you are capable of.”

  Part 7

  Angie

  16 Angie
/>   Angie

  On my list of concerns, I hadn’t thought to add seasickness. Yet there I was, barely holding the little bit of food in my stomach down.

  “You’re okay.” Kelby put his hand on the back of my neck, and relief washed over me.

  “Don’t move your hand.” I put my hand over his to make sure it stayed put.

  “I won’t.”

  “I mean it. Not until we get out of this choppy water.” I considered removing my hand from on top of his, but I didn’t want Kelby to think that gave him the sign to move his hand too. “How much longer is it going to be?”

  “Not too long.” Darto stood and walked over to the window. The rocking didn’t seem to bother him at all.

  “You’re lying.” I sighed and closed my eyes.

  “I’m sorry. Are you prone to this type of sickness?” Kelby’s voice came from right beside me.

  I pressed down on Kelby’s hand. I tried to savor the break from the nausea. The relief his touch created might eventually wear off. “No. Not at all. But then again I haven’t been in water this choppy before.”

  “Me neither.” Malton curled up into a tight ball on my lap. I felt a little guilty for only holding him with one hand. “Kelby, don’t move your hand.” I returned my hand to Malton who curled up more in thanks. Then his stomach rumbled. “Malton, are you going to be sick?”

  “No. I’m just fine.” Malton pressed his eyes closed. “But I’m going to try to sleep now that you are holding me appropriately again.”

  “Okay. Go right ahead.” I felt for the little dog. I hoped he didn’t feel as horrible as I did. “Kelby, are you sick at all?”

  “No. But I don’t get motion sickness.”

  “I already told you this isn’t normal for me.” Noah would have given me such a hard time for it, but then again he might have felt the same way too.

  “Unless you are on those rides.” Kelby laughed. His laugh sounded even sexier when it came from right next to my ear.

  I shrugged off those thoughts. I couldn’t afford to go there. “The point of those rides is to upset your stomach. But they don’t last long like this.”

  “Why would anyone go on them?” He adjusted his hand on my neck.

  “Because they are fun.” I started to get annoyed, and then I realized this was all on purpose. Kelby was trying to distract me. “Thank you.” I opened my eyes.

  “Why are you thanking me?” Kelby drew small circles on my neck with a finger. “At least I assume you are addressing me.”

  “I am addressing you, and for helping me through this.”

  “Oh. It is nothing. I hate that you are feeling ill.” He appeared to really feel that way. His eyes were kind and worried.

  My chest clenched when a realization hit me. He cared about me. He actually cared about me. “I feel a lot better now that your hand is there. And the distraction helps.” I closed my eyes again and focused on his feel. I was afraid keeping them open would make my feelings far too obvious to Kelby.

  “He can probably distract you in better ways.” Gamble laughed. I recognized his voice even with my eyes closed. There was a scratchy-roughness to it that made it unique.

  I decided not to take the bait and yell at him. I didn’t have the energy. “Is this our only boat ride?”

  “Yes.” Gamble answered immediately.

  “So we don’t have to return the same way we arrive?” I was terrified of the answer. I wasn’t sure if I could handle this a second time.

  “No. The twins will have the ship waiting for us on the other side.”

  “Then why couldn’t we land on that side?” That would have saved us a lot of trouble.

  “It doesn’t work that way.” Gamble’s voice was louder, so I assumed he’d walked closer. “Security and all that.”

  I supposed the reason didn’t matter. We were on the boat, and there was nothing I could do to change that now. “Will we be where we need to be when we get off the boat? Or do we have more traveling to do?”

  Gamble laughed. “Oh, you truly are my favorite Earthling. That would be entirely too easy, wouldn’t it be?”

  “I wouldn’t call what we’ve been through so far easy, so no. I wouldn’t say this would be too easy.” If it weren’t for Kelby’s hand I’d have probably been sick ten times over already.

  A loud beeping stopped me from saying anything else.

  “Now what?” Gamble sighed. “Excuse me while I see what the issue is.”

  “Issue?” My eyes flew open. “What is he talking about?”

  “Nothing to worry yourself about.” Kelby squeezed the back of my neck. It was heavenly. “Let’s just wait for Gamble to come back.”

  “You really trust him?” Maybe this was a bad time to ask the question, but I would ask it anyway.

  “We can trust him.” Darto sat down beside me. “We may have our differences, but he is still my brother.”

  “Speaking of brothers, I hope Noah is okay.” I felt guilty about how long I sometimes went between thinking of him. I was his big sister. It was my job to worry. Wasn’t that how I ended up in space?

  “I’m sure he is.” Kelby continued to draw the circles with his fingers.

  “How are you so sure?” It was a silly question. Obviously he couldn’t know and was just trying to make me feel better.

  “Because he’s your brother. That means he’s incredibly strong.”

  “That doesn’t mean he can’t be taken down.” As they’d reminded me, some of the threats out here in the wider universe were far worse than anything we’d found on Earth.

  “And he’s half a starmate pair. If something had happened to him, we’d know it,” Darto added.

  “Because the balance of the universe would be off?” I didn’t hide my disbelief. “Right?”

  “Something like that.” Darto stood.

  “What? What aren’t you saying?” There was always something I was being left in the dark about.

  “Nothing. Don’t worry about it. On another note entirely, it appears that you are better,” Darto pointed out.

  “I am better.” I sat up. “But the boat is still rocking.”

  “What can I say?” Kelby adjusted his hand on my neck. “I have the touch.”

  “You do.” I put my hand over where his hand lay. “It’s incredible.”

  I could have moved my hand. I should have. But I didn’t. Instead, I enjoyed the feel of his warm hand underneath mine.

  “I’m glad it’s helped.” He grinned. The smile was big and made him look youthful.

  “Can that heal all ails or just motion sickness?”

  “I don’t know. It’s not like I’ve used it before.”

  “Wait, really? It isn’t just a Lexa trick?” Was this something special to Kelby?

  “No. I just put my hand on your neck to show support.”

  “Oh.” I didn’t hide my surprise. “Then that’s very impressive.”

  “Maybe it only works on you. You know because of what we share.”

  “What we share?” I echoed his words back to him even though inside something thrilled at the thought that it only worked on me. That we shared something special. What was wrong with me?

  “Come on. You know exactly what I mean.”

  Darto chuckled. “She’s not going to make this easy on you.”

  I wasn’t jumping to conclusions. And even if he meant what I thought he might mean, it didn’t matter. He was a Lexa warrior. I was a human girl. It’s not like we were going to start dating or anything.

  “We don’t need to talk about this now.” Kelby rubbed the back of his neck with his other hand. “But I am glad I was able to help you. Shall we see what happens if I remove my hand?”

  “No!” I replied far too quickly. But the thought of that stomachache made me sick. “Wait. Sorry if your hand is tired. Feel free.”

  “My hand is fine. Don’t worry about me.”

  “Okay then, please leave it.” I rested my hands in my lap on either side of Malton
. Once again I was back to needing him. Eventually I needed to break that cycle.

  “I will.” Kelby smiled.

  Gamble walked back in. “So… we are in a bit of a pickle.”

  “What kind of pickle?” No pickle could be good, but there were different levels of bad situations. If he tried to be funny and answered dill, I would lose it.

  Gamble didn’t crack a smile. “We will have another passenger boarding soon.”

  “What passenger?” Kelby jumped to his feet. “Why?”

  Thankfully the boat had stopped rocking so much, and I didn’t immediately get sick from the removal of Kelby’s hand.

  Gamble didn’t look any happier about the situation than we did. “I made a promise. I have to honor a favor to keep us safe.”

  “Why is this a problem?” I was afraid to ask, but I did it anyway. “Who is this passenger?”

  “Because he’s going to stop at nothing to try to buy you.” Gamble didn’t mince words.

  “Gamble, spit it out.” Kelby growled. “Who is this passenger you speak of?”

  “Aldanto.” Gamble put his fingertips together again.

  “What?” Darto shot up out of his chair. “You can’t be serious. Why would you be making promises to him?”

  “When my own brother abandoned me, I had to find help where ever I could find it,” Gamble snapped.

  “That’s ridiculous.” Darto’s eyes darkened. “There are plenty of other sane creatures to get help from.”

  “Wait, so an insane creature is getting on the boat, and he will want to buy me?” The reality of the situation dawned on me. This was a really big pickle. I stood up, taking Malton with me. “Also, how is he getting on when we are in open water?”

  “Plenty of creatures can board boats in the open ocean,” Darto blurted out.

  “We hide her.” Kelby grabbed my arm. “We will hide.”

  “Hide where?” Darto asked. “Aldanto will sense her the moment you get on.”

  “There is one place he might not sense you.” Gamble put his chin in his hand. “The closets on the lowest level. I have them reinforced with illusions. For emergency purposes of course.”

  I was one step behind processing things. “Hide? How is this going to work?”