Wirrin's brows rise at the illumination’s intensity, and for the briefest second, his eyes swirl with cyan before returning to their normal shade of brown.
“I thought he may not return.”
I scoff. “Then why did you even send me?”
“I needed to know the truth for myself. I've heard rumors about the Starfire from the Intersection.” He returns to his seat, still staring at the crystal in my hand.
“Rumors?” I ask.
He shrugs. “Ancient stories about the energy these specific Starfire hold. The crystals, like the one you hold, are ‘Mothers.’”
“Mothers?” I ask.
“These crystals are the source of the Starfire we use for life on the Paxon side of the Intersection, and the ones on Arcadia, as well. Almost as if the Starfire on each side is the life-giver to those on the other. Each has its own strengths and weaknesses.”
“But each is dependent on the existence of the other?”
“Yes, exactly. But the Starfire you now possess is not. This crystal holds the power of both sides in one.”
I open my palm again and stare. The gem’s light pulses in my hand. “But that's good, right?” The question brings me hope that my father's situation isn't as dire as I once believed. Maybe I was seeing things.
“In theory, yes. But very difficult to control for us as fallible beings.”
My heart sinks.
“The story goes that before we knew anything about the Starfire, a few privileged Alku in ancient times came upon these Mothers. The gems were beautiful and fascinating. And the possession of a Mother brought wealth, notoriety—power. And, in time, also brought jealousy, and then war. The owners were consumed, and everyone wanted to take the crystals.”
My jaw tightens at each of his words.
“When the Alku had nearly destroyed each other for the Mothers, it's said that there was only One Pure Soul left. He devised a plan and stole all the crystals. Then, when he had them all, he journeyed far and hid them away. After this, each side began growing the Starfire fields as we know them today. Forever separated but necessary for each other. After this, the Alku's eyes were open to their mistakes, and we decided never to use the Starfire for evil.”
“Did the One Pure Soul ever return?”
“No,” he says. “But the tales say he fights to this day to keep the two Starfire types from joining again.”
“But that's just a story, right?” I choke out.
“There are always truths in the ancient tales. Whether the events happened exactly as told or not.”
I stuff the gem back into my pocket and wipe my sweaty palms on my pants.
“Your father? How did he appear when you met with him?” Wirrin asks.
“Um . . .” The words I want to say twist through my head. Do I tell Wirrin about Dad's strange behavior? Confusion wracks me.
“He was affected, wasn't he? Did he say why he would not return with you?”
I stay silent for a moment. “He told me he couldn't. He didn't want to risk us both getting trapped.”
“And did Javen accompany you into the Intersection? Did he see your father?”
The memory of Javen being ripped from me surfaces and my breath hitches. “Javen tried but we were separated, and a force prevented him from crossing. I ended up there alone. When I found Dad, he wasn’t the same. In some ways he was, but in other ways not. There was something off about him.”
Wirrin sighs. “If the story is right, it is possible the Alku may be able to enter the Intersection, but as of now, we can only pass through to the other side. The Starfire within the Intersection may be preventing our access. But with the introduction of humans, circumstances may change. Until we understand more, you should not return to your father. There is already a war waging on the Arcadia side of the Intersection; we cannot afford to bring all-out war to this side, too. The knowledge of this place risks everything.”
“But I can't leave him to die.”
“I fear if you bring him across, we might all die. If he has been exposed to the Mother Starfire since the accident, we do not know what he might become or what has already consumed him. And if he comes back, I'm unsure if he will be able to resist telling other humans or using the crystals for evil.”
I push aside my plate, no longer hungry. “What am I supposed to do then? What do I tell Javen?”
Wirrin leans in and lowers his voice. “You will tell Javen none of what we spoke of. Not until I have the chance to speak to my brother.”
“And what do I do with this?” I rip the crystal from my pocket and shove the glowing gem in Wirrin's direction. The glow lights up his face from below as if we were sharing horror stories. Maybe we are.
Wirrin pushes my hand away. “My guess is this Starfire is a key into the Intersection. Otherwise, Dr. Foster would not have given it to you.”
“You take it.” I hold the gem out to him again, but he leans away from me.
“I cannot. For some reason, this particular crystal has bonded to you and you only. If I try to take it, the Starfire will only find its way back to you. What is set in motion will continue.”
Chapter 6
Ileave Wirrin's home, my heart heavy, and gaze up as the door closes. A shooting star launches across the night sky, looking as if the trail is brushed with a streak of glowing cyan paint. In the past, seeing such sights would bring me hope and wonder. But I'm not sure much is going to inspire me after today.
I sigh and bring my attention to Irilee and then the Alku who mill around the main road. Most of them have merely ignored me since I arrived, but a woman with her child in tow stares and then glances away when she sees I notice her. I force a smile.
Wirrin told me to go back to Beda’s home and rest for the night. I didn't want to argue with him, but there's no way I'm going back there. Yet, I'm not sure I want to talk to Javen right now, either. I know what will happen—the effect he has on me. And right now, I need to be alone with my thoughts, not clouded by our bond.
“Cassi.” Javen's voice comes from behind me.
I turn, and when I see him, the thoughts I had a second ago suddenly seem foolish. Javen is safe. He cares for me—why wouldn't I want to be secure in his arms? Compelled, I sprint toward him and tears begin to slip down my cheeks. Before I know it, I'm wrapped in his strong embrace. The world may not be right again . . . but he is.
“What happened?” he whispers into my ear while his hands bury into my hair and draw me closer against his chest.
I want to tell him everything but know I can't. I pull away and force myself back into control.
“When will we be able to release your father? Were you able to make a plan with my uncle?”
“I've decided we can't bring him back,” I lie.
“What? But you told me that was what you were going to speak with Wirrin about.”
“For now, Dad is safer where he is. Hammond and the World Senate believe him to be dead, I'm sure. Bringing him back makes him a target.”
Confusion sweeps over Javen's face. “But why did you change your mind? Is Wirrin forcing you?” He turns toward Wirrin's lodging and takes a step in that direction. “I can speak to him.”
But before he gets any farther, I clasp his arm and stop him.
“This is my choice. We need more time to fully protect my father, and I need to find out what's happening on the Arcadia side of the Intersection before any rash choices are made. Wirrin agrees with the idea.”
Javen runs his hand over his forehead as if attempting to work out my change of mind. “All right,” he says after a moment. “But please don't wait too long. I believe you'll regret doing so.”
“I agree.” I study the ground. “I'm going to Beda's home to rest.” It's not where I want to go, but if I don't tell Javen something, I'm sure he'll try to stay with me.
Javen nods. “She's gone anyway. Took a scouting party out and shouldn't return for quite some time.”
“It's been a very long day. How abo
ut you walk me, and then I will meet you again in the morning?”
He touches my cheek with the tips of his fingers and I lean into his touch, closing my eyes.
“The morning is a long time from now,” Javen whispers. “But I want you to receive the rest you need.” He presses his lips lightly to my forehead and leads me to Beda’s without any more questions.
Inside Beda's home, the embers in the corner fireplace still glow red-hot as if she only recently left. I plop into a chair and stare at the gentle, pulsing glow of the dying fire.
Weight from my new knowledge presses on my chest and I pull the brilliant Starfire out from my pocket. How can this small crystal represent so much power? Enough to nearly bring down a civilization? And from what I've seen, the Alku are better than many humans. Even though Wirrin and Vihann are split, they are still on speaking terms and wish to join together again at some point. On Earth, it's never-ending separation and trying to take power from the weak. Humans come to Arcadia, and we do the exact same thing in claiming the land and Starfire without thought to the consequences to anyone or anything already here. Dad was always the voice of reason and a friend to the Alku. How can we leave him out of this? It's not right. We need his presence to help solve the rift.
I squeeze my fist around the Starfire, and the gem begins to pulse in my hand. I squeeze tighter and press my eyelids closed with nearly the same force. I grit my teeth in frustration and the crystal begins to vibrate. The sensation spreads from my fingers to my arms and then races through my body. I inhale deeply and flick my eyes open to find the space around me warping and bending. I jump to my feet, and in a single blink, I'm not in Beda's home anymore.
Rather, I stand at the mouth of the same cave Dad used as a shelter. My heart pounds as I touch the rough opening and realize this is real. I've brought myself inside the Intersection again.
But instead of night, like the last visit, the light appears to be midday-bright. I turn my neck and squint at the sun high in the azure sky.
I enter the mouth of the cave even though Dad may not be inside. He could be doing anything during the day—getting food or water, searching out the crystals to study.
My heart thuds against my ribcage as I follow the cave walls, creeping forward until I arrive at the open section I found Dad in before. I spot movement to my left. It's Dad, hunched over a small, wooden table with peeling paint. Where the table came from, I have no clue. It wasn't in here last night. He's muttering to himself, but I can't hear what he's saying. Dad doesn't see me and grabs an object off the table and clenches his hand tightly while whispering to the air.
Fear ripples through me. But I must speak to him. “Dad?”
He doesn't answer and continues fiddling with the items in front of him, including a few Starfire crystals, which dimly illuminate the cave. A small amount of light from the outside also spills around the corner.
This time, I raise my voice. “Dad!”
With a jerk, he stands from the stool he's been sitting on. “Who's there?”
“It's me . . . Cassi.” I want to go to him, but my feet remain frozen. What if Wirrin is right?
He squints and leans forward at the waist. “Cassi?”
“Yes.” I force my feet to go to him.
“What took you so long?” He plops into his seat and returns to sorting though his items.
As I step forward, I see several of the items are relatively primitive tools, but there's also a pencil and a pad of paper with scribbles and notes all over the open page.
I step closer to him and he pulls the notepad away as if he's attempting to hide his notes. “Where did you get all this stuff?” I ask.
He grabs the pencil and begins scribbling in his notepad. A few seconds later, he puts it down. “After you told me how I had manifested the apples outside the Intersection on accident, I tried to make something like that phenomenon happen here—on purpose. At first, nothing happened. But the more I tried and the more I studied the crystals, I was able to make a few small things appear—food, tools I needed—even a pencil and paper to record all my findings. Nothing more complex than that.” Dad bites the pencil and holds it in his mouth. He begins flipping back in the notepad to the beginning. He reads whatever he has written, looks up at me, and then removes the pencil.
“Why haven't you brought an Alku here, like I asked you?”
“Um . . .” It's not a question I really want to answer. “I don't know how yet.”
Essentially, it's true, and I don't need to tell him how I don't want Javen to come here right now, even if I could get him here. Not until I know more about this place. What if the story Wirrin told me is true?
“You couldn't have figured it out by now?”
“Dad, it's only been a few hours.”
His shoulders drop, and his body relaxes. His demeanor almost returns to normal, but then he rubs his head in confusion. “Oh yes . . . I've forgotten already. It feels like days.”
“I'm not even sure how I got here this time,” I say. “I was studying the Starfire you gave me and here I am.”
He places his notepad down and stares at me. “You mean you didn't need a set point to enter?”
Dad grabs the pad and flips to a blank page. He jots down something while mumbling a few sentences to himself. He returns to hunching over the tabletop as if I'm not even here anymore. I watch him slipping from me again for a few moments before I say anything.
“Dad?”
He looks up startled. “Oh . . . you're still here?”
“Dad.” I race to the other side of the table and kneel in front of him. “What is happening to you? Do you even know? We have to figure out how to stop this . . . change.”
Dad answers with a blank stare, and just when I think he might come back to me again, he returns his frantic attention to the notebook, touching the Starfire on his left with his free hand. The crystal glows and his body relaxes.
My heart pounding, I rise, and he continues to ignore me. There's no way I can bring him back like this and I can't leave him here either. Wirrin was right.
I need to return to the Arcadia side of the Intersection. The World Senate really does have no idea what they’re dealing with in the Starfire. I don't even know if I should be using the gems. Who knows what the long-term effects of the crystals are on humans? Even the less-powerful crystals from outside the Intersection.
I pull the small gem from my pocket and turn it in my fingers. The cuts are delicate and perfect. But could the Starfire still affect me in the same ways it's changing Dad if I keep the crystal for too long? I think about the One Pure Soul and how he had to take all the Mother Crystals to keep the Alku safe. I stuff the gem back inside my pocket. If this Starfire is my key to get back to Dad, then I must keep it. Reluctantly, I step away and watch him disappear into his own world again.
“As soon as I can, I'll get back to you, Daddy.”
My heart aches, and I slip my hand into my pocket and close my eyes.
When I open my lids, I'm in Beda's chair, the smoldering embers still beside me in the fireplace.
A sound in the shadows makes me jump and my breathing picks up as I see Beda's outline in the kitchen. Why is she here? Javen said she was out scouting.
“Where were you?” She holds up a knife and then opens a drawer. I gasp at the sight.
I must have just appeared out of nowhere in the seat. But this sort of thing must not be an infrequent occurrence for Beda.
My quick breathing returns to normal as she puts the knife away in the drawer instead of directing the sharp point at me. Not that she needs a knife to hurt me, though.
“Beda, I must go back to Arcadia.”
I ignore her question, but I'm pretty sure she might like what I'm telling her better. She raises her eyebrow in interest. Apparently, I was correct. But then her brow lowers and her face twists into a suspicious expression as she utters one word.
“Why?”
“There are things to take care of. People I nee
d to see, starting with the Board members, Hirata and Cooper, then my Dad's lab partners.” What was that guy’s name again? Dad mentioned him. Oh yes, Owens. “I can't do that from here. Keeping me hidden in Irilee isn’t going to do the Alku any good if I have information people need to help stop the war.”
Beda walks out from the kitchen and crosses her arms over her chest. “Well, I have no problem with you leaving. It was definitely not my decision to have you stay in my home. I'm not sure what my father was thinking.” She narrows her eyes to slits.
My heart thuds as she continues toward me, stopping only a foot away to tower over my head. “But you need to make sure when you are over there that you do nothing . . . nothing”—she growls with an emphasis on the last word— “to harm my people, including my family.”
I press my back into the chair to move away from her. “I don't think you understand, Beda. I have no desire to harm anyone . . . human or Alku. I want to rescue my dad and find a way for both our people to live in peace. Nothing else.”
“Nothing else? What about Javen? Where does he fit into this whole grand plan of yours?”
“Javen?”
“Yes,” she hisses. “Javen. What do you want from my cousin? Power? Position?”
“No,” I protest. “I don't want any of that—”
“Then what do you want, human? Because power and position are what come with Javen eventually. He will be the leader of our people. How will you fit into that picture? Because I for one won't see you as the intended to the Luminary of the Alku. And many others will not, either.” As she spits her words at me, she moves in closer, baring her teeth under her full lips. “And if you jeopardize Javen’s ability to take his rightful position, I'll personally ensure that your Starfire connection is severed.”
“Severed?” I ball my hands.
“Yes.” She sneers prettily and then huffs a disgusted laugh. “Didn't know that could happen, did you? The connection is a binding force but not unbreakable.”
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