Shattered From Stars

Chapter 12

"Okay, now do you understand what you're going to do?" The task seemed pretty simple to me. The look on her face couldn't say the same for her.

"Uh... yes?"

"Alkaid, that's too dangerous! She's a mortal! They'll get her and kill her or something! Don't make her do it!" Caeli's frantic screaming flew past my ears. I chuckled deep in my throat.

"What's a good life without a little danger?"

"Alkaid! Please!" Caeli stepped a paw in front of Shadow. Shadow stood at Caeli's side with indecision. Coward.

"I'm going to visit a... not so much friend... oracle. This is the only way to multitask. You need justification? There it is."

"I don't need justification! You just need common sense!"

"Stand down, Caeli," fire formed on my eartips. She visibly swallowed but stood her ground, wrapping her tail around Shadow protectively.

"You ready?" I asked to Shadow. Caeli and Shadow gave each other an unsure glance. They seemed to have a silent conversation before Shadow gave her a reassuring smile and nodded.

"Yes! I'm down for the challenge!" She spoke with determination. Finally.

"Good. Go find Queraan. He'll tell you what to do. No funny business. We'll leave as soon as possible."

She smiled and ran towards the mansion. I turned to Caeli with an accusation on my tongue, "You told her what I'm doing to free us?"

"Alkaid, she's a good soul. I can see it. I trust her, why don't you?"

"Trust is something I rarely give. It's a miracle I gave it to you," I spat.

She recoiled. At first she seemed crushed but she banished her emotions quickly, "You know, Lavell, you really should listen to Queraan. Before both of you get hurt. You're going to regret hurting him, because someday... you won't be able to apologize after all you've done."

Angry tears rolled down her cheeks. She huffed and retreated into the garden. A growl bubbled in my throat. With a last glance I left to find Shadow, leaving scorched grass where I stood.

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"My only advice is: don't die," I said bluntly, "there's no reason for this mission if you die."

She looked down and screwed her face into a confused expression while we walked down the sidewalk, "Okay."

We were in a lightly populated town and it was getting late. There was nothing to disturb us.

We stopped in front of a run down building. It looked like it was built 50 years earlier and had taken way too many hits. The worn brick was dirtied up with plenty of shattered windows and splintered wood. The door used to be boarded up but I took care of blasting it down.

"You've got 3 hours until they come back. Find the Circle and call me."

"...Call you?"

I groaned, "Just yell my name, in your mind or out loud. I'll come."

"Okay," she still seemed uncertain.

"Nothing will happen. Just get in there, get it, and get out. Simple task."

She glanced upward towards one of the smeared windows on the top floor, "Okay."

"Quit saying that."

"Alright."

I summoned a teal weapon and held it above my outstretched paw, "Take this. You may need it."