Starblood (The Starblood Trilogy) (30 page)

She heads out through the door. A full moon smiles at her from the sky. She feels approval in its silver rays. Turning towards Satori, she smiles, wishing there could be a way back for them.

Noticing his bag next to his head, she creeps across the room. The moon throws pools of light on the floor though the holes in the roof. By these she checks her steps. Silently, she unbuckles his satchel. She leaves the clothes, his book and crystal ball, but takes the rest. He doesn’t need his map to find home from here. Then she departs, blowing him a kiss from the doorway.

The wind has picked up. Trees whisper to her as she walks between them. They want to know what she will do. She feels lighter than air, dancing in the dark to the music, which fills her head. Her soundtrack has not deserted her.

The forest becomes darker as she heads towards the foot of the mountain. Trees jostle together for attention. Pine needles scratch at her face. Between the branches, a soft cushion of moss lightens her steps.

The ground starts its incline. She throws back her head hoping to see the mountain peak but perspective has hidden it and her attempts just make her feel dizzy and nauseous.

‘Are you here?’ she asks.

‘Yessss,’ they answer.

‘Is there no other way?’ she whispers, her voice broken with tears.

‘Noooo,’ they reply.

They surround her, red eyes glowing in the dark. Their mouths, full of blood, gape at her. Twisted bodies struggle to stay upright. She knows she must pay for their suffering or risk causing more but she feels afraid, afraid of the night, of joining them forever or being alone.

Tears sting her eyes. She nods and sits on the floor. Life weaves its way from the crushed moss beneath her and investigates her purpose. Spider legs and insects tickle across her skin. Placing the folded map to one side, she looks at the other item she holds. It is beautiful. Even in the dark the jewels glow with colour. The object which released Lilith will release her as well. The curves of the blade look like water. It will cleanse her.

It has been so long since she said a prayer.
Would it be right to say one now?
The words struggle to form in her mind.
I have witnessed so many wonders. Who would listen? Who would care?
Music fills her head. She smiles and nods.

‘Deliver me,’ she whispers as she plunges the blade into her womb and twists it.

Hot blood covers her hands. At first she feels no pain. Then the burning of it rushes along nerve endings and neurones to overwhelm her. She falls backwards onto the moss. Her body twists and she stares at the jewelled hilt of the knife. She hears a voice and wonders whether her saviour is coming to deliver her.

‘Star,’ it shouts. It is getting louder.
Maybe it’s almost here.
It is hard to tell over the scream of her dying mind and the music, which fills it—her requiem.

A shadow eclipses the moon. She struggles to focus and sees Satori’s face above her.

‘Forgive me, Satori,’ she whispers.

‘The fault is mine, my love,’ he answers. He wraps his hand around her numb fingers although she can barely feel his touch. ‘There’s nothing to forgive.’

‘I should have believed you.’

‘I should have protected you.’

‘I love you, Satori,’ she says. ‘I always have.’

‘I love you, too. I will see you again. I’ll find you and we can be together.’

She smiles at his words, believing them to be true, and closes her eyes.

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