Free The Star Caster by Jamie Loeak Page B

lie when I said that I wanted you.”
    “You can’t lie,” I say with a lazy smile.
    Sterren sighs before continuing. “Danika,” he says with a laugh. Then, he leans forward and presses his full lips to mine.

 
     
     
     
     
    Chapter 7
     
    “It is time,” interrupts Ego’s voice.
    I jerk back, startled by his presence. I didn’t even hear him come in. Then again, I was completely enthralled by Sterren’s mouth and hands. He is incredible, and I force myself to stop thinking about it. I gather myself and turn to face Ego, annoyed that he interrupted us.
    “Now,” he threatens.
    I sigh and pull myself away from Sterren. We both stand, and Sterren pulls me to his side. I’m standing, half beside and half behind him. I know that he won’t let me go this time. It’s too risky now.
    “Come,” Ego says tiredly.
    I turn and look at Sterren and notice a worried expression cross his features. His hand grips mine more tightly as we begin walking, and my heart begins to race again.
    Be afraid of him. He is dangerous.
    My eyes widen at Ego’s blatant warning. Oh no, if Ego is even warning me, this new guy must really be crazy, crazier even than Val is.
    Do not lie to him.
    I nod like Ego can see me, but he mumbles assent into my head, so I know he saw something.
    And do not speak unless he tells you to.
    This new guy is for real.
    Up ahead, Ego’s silhouette is rising as he walks up the three stairs that lead to the door of his home. My heart, once again, begins racing. When he opens the door, the light that shines inside the living area blinds me, and I walk in unarmed. I’m not ready to face what lies before me, but I will struggle through it.
    “Star Caster,” says the real leader. He is standing in the center of the room, arms crossed over his chest as he stares me down.
    I take a deep , steadying breath before speaking. “Yes?” I ask in a small voice, one so small that I am almost sure that he cannot hear it. I force myself to look into his eyes, though; it is a sign of respect and strength, and I do not want him to think of me as weak.
    “You have come to cast your star for us, but first we must go out into the night. We must find out what you, lone Star Caster, can do for us. Then, we will make our dreams come true.”
    I shudder. I am not ready to do this. I will never, in a thousand years, be ready to do this. But, I gather my courage like I would a long gown, and respond. “Okay,” I say, even though my voice quivers.
    “Ego, Val – take this woman out. Bring the sacrifice.”
    Great. Now it’s going to get worse.
    “But what about you, Sire? Will you join us?” Val asks the huge man.
    The man uncrosses his arms and steps forward. “I will be right behind you, watching your every move,” he warns.
    Val stumbles back and nods furiously. He turns around and pushes Sterren and I forward. We move up the stairs quickly, and I can’t help but get lost as we make our way through what feels like a hundred corridors and stairwells.
    Finally, we step out into the cool, night air. The breeze makes the hair on my skin stand up, and I feel like a rabbit out in the open. I want to bolt. I want to hide.
    Ego pushes past the four of us. He makes his way across a large yard and walks over a hill that stands about twenty feet in front of where I now stand. He disappears for a moment, before his figure pops back over the horizon. He is now dragging a blindfolded stranger. As this new person comes closer, I see that it is most definitely a homeless man. He is wearing tattered clothes, and has a long beard. He smells of alcohol, whisky to be exact, and he is jittery. By the time he reaches us, his breathing is heavy.
    “Your time has come,” Ego says to the man as he pulls off the blindfold. The man blinks furiously, trying to bring his new world into focus. He lifts his dirty hands and rubs his eyes. I can almost feel the fear as he takes in his surroundings. But, when his eyes find me, he smiles.
    I stare