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‘Kind of like a magnet. Have you heard of the concept that the Stars hold all the dead souls?’

‘Of course. But I never⁠—’

‘It’s not as simple as just facing their judgement, though. Where you end up depends on where your soul resonates. It’s like a pull to a place. But the place is sentient. The Stars are sentient. Which garners the problem that if you’re pulled to the Black Star, you’re forcibly ruled by a tyrant with no escape.’

‘Except, you worked out a way. If you could trade me for you,’ I say.

‘Miller, you’ve got to understand I was never trying to hurt you.’

‘How comforting that you could hurt me without trying,’ I say, glib.

‘That’s not what I meant, that’s not how it was.’

‘Why? Why did you ask me? Why ask me to be yours?’

‘Because I’m selfish,’ he says, honest. And I can’t even really be mad at that answer because he’d said as much. He’d told me with his words and with his actions time and time again. I just hadn’t wanted to believe him. Well, look where that’s got me.

I roll my neck. He takes a single step closer. His hand reaches through the bars, and I put up my hands and close my eyes, both surrender and a plea. Do what you will, but be kind while you do it. When I open them again, he’s taken a step in retreat. If I’d known that was an option, I’d have taken it at the start of this conversation.

‘Miller, listen. There’ll be someone who’ll come to get us. Do not believe a single word he says.’

‘Oh, so the opposite of what I did with you.’

‘He’s so much worse. I’m a dick, I know. But please, he will try to smooth talk you – and he’s good at it too. He’ll offer you anything to get what he wants. I hate who I become around him, but he’s charming as fuck. Just don’t fall⁠—’

There’s a loud clicking sound that sounds like a door opening. And we both turn in its direction. It’s followed by the noise of thongs slapping against damp ground, getting closer and closer until they come to an abrupt halt.

‘Don’t let me interrupt your loverth quarrel.’

Chapter Twenty-Seven

The Truth

This – is a lot to take in.

There’s a twink ginger slurping a piña colada out of a curly straw, with a little umbrella in it, in front of us who looks like he’s just come back from vacationing in the tropics.

‘Welcome to the Black Thtar!’

Oh, and he has a lisp.

Objectively, this guy is one hundred percent the type of person who could persuade me into just about anything. Definitely the right fit for the job.

‘Cocktail?’ he offers, as he magics a hovering tray of more drinks.

When in a sentient Star that wants… actually, to be honest I’m not quite sure what the Black Star wants. Feels rude to make assumptions, though. I shrug and take a drink.

‘Roman,’ he greets.

‘Paul.’

‘Roman, Roman, Roman,’ Paul tsks. ‘You jutht couldn’t help yourthelf, could you? Not that I could blame you, what a tathty little thnack you’ve brought uth.’ He winks at me and I giggle. Don’t judge me, Paul ith very charming.

‘Seriously? You folded in two seconds flat,’ Walker says. When I look at him I see the green in his eyes starting to dull.

What? So, I like to be flattered, sue me.

‘Who is he?’ I whisper through the bars.