The Cost of Nine Stars

n mountain hollow, carried this

quiet burden, often leading to lives

ntuition, a knowing. She could see the tu

m to her,

her gift, built his empire, then cast her and me asid

g, worn out a

th, I was alo

was a raw,

ss. Left for dead in a cold

ng, kind, despera

ency, he' d pressed his own wrist to mine, a direct b

then darkness as he slumped besid

ined consciousnes

oncern etched on his face

aid, his voice smooth. "I

matized, grateful

it. That was the

built o

ad now cost m

ing surfaces and cold, modern

felt eve

' s latest girlfr

curdle milk. A social media influencer, always preening fo

With Ethan' s childr

e with open disdain. "Be a dear and fetch me a green jui

on a white leath

to it. Tiff's eati

to be Tiff' s person

m years of trying to survive, made me no

was a constant

n' s grandfather, the patriar

as d

ave him weeks

ore cunning brother was circling, ready to

e in the kitchen

grabbing my arm. "You have to save hi

stone in my chest. "Ethan, I...

rs. Faded. E

ieve me. Or d

he snarled. "You're

n, a malicious g

her voice syrupy sweet. "To purify her gift. I saw it on a wellness blog. Bl

ottle and a smudge stick, a c

ublic degradation in front of the

ing oil, chanting nonsensical words wh

olely on his dying grandfather and th

ignity, an object for their

s felt ho