Ignoring the mutterings, she stretched out her hands, placing them gently on the chest of the man, allowing warmth to seep from her into his cold skin.
For a moment, she allowed a memory of Elion to flash before her closed eyes. They were racing down the beach on horseback. Sand kicked up behind their horses as they flew across the beach, wind whipping through Astraia’s dark hair. Elion laughed as he tried to pass her, his face moving in slow motion, as if frozen in time.
Astraia’s breath slowed as she packed away the memory inside the corner of her mind, then released more of Sacrifice, feeling the Plague lift from the man.
She opened her eyes, seeing the boils fade and color return to his skin as his breath became more even. More gasps filtered through the crowd, watching as death lost its victim.
Astraia began to rein in her bond, the blue glow fading from her hands. Peering out of the corner of her eye, Draven approached, the clanking of the manacles making her pulse quicken.
She stood slowly, backing away from the healed man and from Draven.
“You said ten minutes. That’s all I needed.” Then she whispered—not to Draven, but to herself, “No more cages.”
She stared into his amber eyes, lingering a moment longer than she should before forcefully channeling Power, driving it forward .
A blinding white light erupted around her, more screams rippling through the townspeople, before she vanished.
Chapter 8
Order is a concept, a fanciful desire, unless solidified in action. Thus, Balance sustained order through his guidance and allocation of blessings. We too must bridge the gap between disarray and harmony. Only then, with our deeds and conduct, can the realm flourish with the Stars.
Trutinoris, Priest of Balance
ASTRAIA’S CLOAK RUSTLED BEHIND HER as she sped down alleyways, weaving through buildings, unsure of her destination but certain of her motive.
Get as far away from the bounty hunter as possible.
The sound of rushing water was her only compass as she sprinted, slowing as she came to groups of townspeople in an attempt to avoid suspicion. Tugging her cloak lower over her head, she pushed her way through a particularly busy part of the market as shopkeepers offered their wares and haggled prices. The roar of the crowd deadened the anxiety threatening to overcome her.
She needed only to reach the bridge, then she could lose herself in Virellia. Without Orion, it would be difficult to cover ground quickly, but she could stow away in a wagon if needed or temporarily borrow a horse.
A disturbance up ahead gave Astraia pause as she craned her neck to see what the commotion was. She could just make out three Celestial Guards riding down the street toward her, shouting at the townspeople to clear the way.
A man beside her muttered to his companion, “They’re looking for that Starborne.”
Her pulse quickened as she backed away from the street and ducked into a dark alleyway. Cursing under her breath, she ran through the shadows.
Astraia’s boots pounded against the ground, lungs burning with each breath, her newly returned bond humming beneath her skin like a barely caged storm.
She was almost to the other end of the alley, close to the docks, when her back slammed against the stone wall, her breath knocked out of her.
Rough hands grab her wrists, pinning them above her head.
Her eyes adjusted to the darkness to find glowing molten eyes glaring back at her.
“You're going to get yourself killed,” he breathed, both of them panting.
“You think I care?” she seethed, teeth bared, trying to pull her hands down out of his grasp.
“You lit up half the district like a beacon. If the Court’s eyes didn’t see it, the bounty hunters did.”
“I saved a man’s life. That used to count for something.”
“Not if it gets you killed.” His voice was low, harsh, clipped. But his eyes searched hers—like he wasn’t sure if she was about to collapse or combust.
Astraia’s bonds were still humming, on edge from the threats surrounding her. “You will never let me go. I use my bond to give people a sliver of hope, and you still don’t care. All you care about is your bounty.”
“Now you’re finally using your head.”
