I find my voice. “Yes, delightful.” Delightful? Who am I?
“Excellent. I look forward to watching your progress and performance in the games, Zellie. You hold such promise.” He tilts his chin towards my sponsor. “Orion has reported positive insights.” My head whips in Orion’s direction. He has spoken to the Kosmos? When? And why does it feel like betrayal? This shouldn’t come as a surprise; he told me he worked closely with them when I first met him.
“Thank you.” Orion kicks my foot under the table. Oh, right. “Thank you, Majesty.” Wouldn’t consider him majestic, but to each their own.
“I will see you again. Until then, Zellie Toro.”Well, that’s not ominous-sounding at all.“The constellations are the only constant.”
“The constellations are the only constant.” Another incline of his head before Pluto saunters off, his head held high.This guy gives me the creeps.
I exhale loudly. “This has been a lot, Orion. Can we go?”
He squeezes my shoulder. “Of course. Give me one minute. I’ll meet you in the foyer.”
I quickly say goodbye to Celeste, Atlas, and Merri after checking in with Lenny. He’s holding his own, and his confidence puts me at ease.
My slippers are silent as I head into the foyer, the space darkened except for the glow of the orb sconces on the walls.
“You’re his perfect little puppet, aren’t you?” A deep voice drawls.
I turn towards the sound and find Leo leaning against a column, his arms and legs crossed. His amber eyes glow amidst the shadows.
I take one step towards him. “Excuse me?”
“Your Astral. He’s in league with them.”
Anger ignites in my veins. “You know no—”
Leo cuts me off, pushing off the wall. In two strides, he’s invaded my personal space, close enough that I have to crane my neck to maintain eye contact. He smells crisp and clean—a mixture of soap and moonlight. My breathing hitches at his proximity, my anger momentarily becoming a second thought. Stars, why does he have to smell so good?
“You’re a human. He’s an Astral. An Astral whoworksfor the Kosmos. Keep that in mind, sweetheart.” Condescension drips from his tone.
Instantly, I decide that I hate him, regardless of how my body feels around him. I snarl, opening my mouth to retort as Orion’s voice calls out, “Good to go, Zi?” Leo’s head turns slowly to look at Orion before turning back to me with a sly smirk. Without another word, he turns and walks away.
Orion has shown me nothing but encouragement and kindness,I remind myself as I take his arm, exiting the Hall.
Seventeen
“You’re quiet.” Orion sits opposite me in the hovercraft, heading back to my apartment.
“I’m slightly overwhelmed.” A half-truth. Leo’s words swirl through my head while I consider potential alliances, the Kosmos using humans to do their bidding, the power imbalance, the upcoming games… It’s all too much.
“I know there is a lot to absorb. Take tomorrow for yourself. We’ll start training on day one of the next cycle.” My eyes meet his in the darkened vehicle. Pity? Empathy? Something sits in his gaze that I’m not prepared for. I almost let myself forget he can sense my emotions. I flick my eyes back to the window.
In two days, my entire life has been uprooted. My concerns have shifted from my station assignment to pursuing equality for my people and ultimately, ensuring survival. My thoughts drift to Xander, Jada, and Gwenda. I sigh against the headrest, watching the city outside pass by in a blur. What could my friends possibly think? I didn’t even say goodbye to Xander. I hope they’re okay.
Silence envelopes us in the hovercraft. At least I will have one day to myself before I dive back into this insanity. “Zellie?”
“Hmm?”
“I can feel your anxiousness. I won’t let anything happen to you.” Sincerity lines Orion’s features.
I want to believe him; I do.
But I can’t.
I wake early, wasting precious hours pouting both curled beneath the covers and floating in the bathtub. My encounter with Leo continues to haunt me, despite my attempts to shove his words from my mind. Hunger gets the best of me, and after rummaging through the icebox, I assemble and devour a yogurt parfait while absorbing the information provided in the Games binder once more. All I wanted was the day to myself, but now the quiet is too much. Instead of tranquil, I’m on edge.
Restlessness nips at me, as does the awareness that I’m not taking advantage of my time in Astralis. When will I ever be in a place like this again? I can be unhappy regarding my current situation while being excited to explore something new. I dress similarly to how I had dressed on my first outing with Orion, wearing another two-piece set, this time in dazzling silver. Desperate for companionship and feeling rather lonely being away from my unit, I leave my apartment and set out for Lenny’s.
