“Find potential allies, play nice.”
I can dothat.“Easy enough.”
It was, in fact,noteasy enough. After an exhilarating ride in the floating transportation, Orion offered me his arm to help me exit the vehicle, and I have yet to let go. He led me through a large arched doorway and into an impressive foyer.
White-tiled floors with golden suns and stars cast an illusion that the space is larger than life. This building drips opulence, and I have never felt more out of place. In the center of the room, a crystal fountain with orbiting planets as the centerpiece falls quietly in a steady, comforting stream. We are the only ones here, and the silence is unnerving.
“If you squeeze any harder, my arm may fall off.” I glance at Orion’s arm and realize my hand is gripping his arm so tightly that the skin on his forearm is pinching.
“I’m sorry. I’m nervous.” Seeing the Kosmos again fills me with dread, along with my lack of preparation for the Games to begin. I’m stuck in a game I didn't sign up to play, in games I didn’t even know existed. How can I pursue success when I’m deficient in my belief in myself and the value of what I’m chasing? “I don’t think I’m cut out for this, Orion.”
“That’s the beauty of this life; there are infinite possibilities to reinvent yourself. But no matter who you choose to become, you’ll realize you had it in you all along. I see it in you—I know you can do this.” I rapidly blink away the moisture forming in the corners of my eyes. “You are a viper in a lion’s den, Zellie. Cunning, resilient, bold,adaptable.”
I straighten my spine at his kind words, letting the affirmation settle in my bones. If he has this much belief in me from whatever he’s seen, then it is time I do as well. Iamall these things and more.
“A viper, Zizi. They will underestimate you. Let them. Then you strike.”
Fifteen
The room buzzes. Buzzes with energy, with chatter, withpower. The Kosmos sits atop a dais, overlooking the resplendent hall. They’re poised gracefully on individual thrones, all wearing their cloaks, some with their faces hooded. Stone pillars embedded with crystals tower upwards, creating a grandiose, larger-than-life feel. Vaulted ceilings curve to form a dome centered in the center of the hall, adding height to the grand space. Orb lights flicker like flames dancing, casting an ethereal glow.
I’m entranced by the architecture here; it draws your eye upwards, where a painted ceiling of swirling stars and cosmos waltzes around galaxies and planets alike. Each constellation has been etched into the design with an otherworldly twinkle. I’m not sure if this is real or magicked, but it’s as if the entire universe is held within this expansive ceiling. Panels of stained glass intensify the feelings, adding flickers of vivid color and light to the work of art.
Low, serene music echoes hauntingly through the space. A slender, glass-top table winds its way down the hall like a mirrored river, with crystal floral arrangements atop. Alternating silver and gold chairs follow the table—an elevated, banquet-style seating arrangement. I finally notice the guests occupying the seats, all of whom are now staring in our direction. Fortunately, there are a handful of open seats left, indicating we’re not the last to arrive. On cue, an announcer calls out to the room, “Zellie Toro and her sponsor, Orion Beltarth.”
From my studies of the files Orion gave me, I easily identify Merri, who offers me a gentle smile. Lenny has already arrived, as have Miles and Celeste.Solene’s stare penetrates me as if I’ve wronged her, but thanks to Orion’s file, I know enough to understand that this is her ferocious personality shining through. I turn my head to face the entryway, murmuring to Orion, “I think we should sit next to Cel—”
The words escape me as Leo swaggers in, a male Astral shortly behind him. He’s lethal, devastatingly handsome. He wears a black high-collared tunic, foregoing the jacket altogether. The shirt is sculpted to his broad shoulders and arms, the dips of his muscles looking as if they were carved into the material. Paired with black trousers, he is night incarnate. Warning bells ding internally, alerting me to danger. His chaos whispers to me, and I lean in to dance with it. Leo’s amber eyes flick to mine and linger. He’s devastating, and my desire for him bursts through me unexpectedly. Seconds pass as I hold my breath, the air taut between us, before his gaze is gone, turned to talk to his sponsor.Is he as magnetized towards me, too?
“Celeste?” Orion reminds me, looking pointedly between Leo and me.
Get your head in the game, Zellie. “Yes, her. She has the potential to be an excellent ally.”
Orion nods as he considers my words. “I was thinking of her or Atlas. Your call.”
Atlas was seated closer to Lenny. A sense of duty leads me to reconsider my choice. “Okay, Atlas.”
Orion puts his hand on the small of my back as he leads me towards the table. A server emerges suddenly, pulling out our chairs. Without a doubt, she’s a Celestial. The hierarchy of power is also at play here. Atlas is engaged in a conversation with Lenny, so I introduce myself to his sponsor. She’s beautiful, with violet eyes and pale yellow hair. She nudges Atlas to get his attention.
He leans on his elbows, his crimson jacket wrinkling with the effort. “Hello there, gorgeous.” Okay, a flirt, noted.
I offer him a bright smile. “Hi! I’m Zellie.”
“Atlas, nice to meet you. This place isinsane, right?” Yeah, that’s one way to put it.
“Never seen anything like it!” I lean closer, lowering my voice. “Did you know Astralis existed? Because I didn’t.”Were you as in the dark as I was?
“No, never even heard of it. Ending up here was a total shock. Although I’m not sure I want to go back to Auralea after seeing my apartment. These people have itgood.” He chuckles lightheartedly. “Are you worried about the games? Do you have any training?”
I shrug half-heartedly. “Not in things that matter, unless you need me to plant something. Do you?”
Atlas rocks his head from side to side. “A little, I guess. There’s a center in my unit for maintaining our physical health. I spent a lot of time there.”
“Wow, that’s great!”I’m fucked.“We have nothing like that on Lunara. Needless to say, my assessment wasn’t anything spectacular the other day.”
“No? That’s rough, but I’m sure you make up for it in other areas.”
“Oh, I do. I can’t help but feel a smidge disadvantaged, though, when more than half this room is made up of muscled humans who have spent their spare time getting into shape.”
