Labyrinth of Stars(45)

“What did you learn from that giant’s head? Who made it?”

“The answer doesn’t do us any good. The creature was designed by the Erl-King. You and I both know he’s dead.”

Dead years ago, by my hand—and Grant’s. What a bastard. “How’s that possible?”

“We’ve been engineering life for millions of years, my dear. The Erl-King had plenty of time to make those creatures before his imprisonment. No doubt they’ve been breeding on some Aetar-controlled planet and thought they were doing the work of their Gods by coming here to attack you and Grant.”

I still didn’t like the coincidence. “How many Aetar are there?”

“Now?” Jack thought a moment. “Before the war with the Lightbringers, we were a tribe that was one hundred and ninety-three strong. Now, our numbers have dwindled to a mere eighty-four.”

It surprised me, hearing such an exact count. And how it seemed to be a number at odds with itself—large enough to feel dangerous to me, given what the Aetar were capable of—but small, too, when I thought that this was all that was left, forever. No ability to breed. No possibilities. Nothing but eternity.

No wonder Jack’s kind clung so violently to mortal flesh—it kept them sane, gave them the illusion of life, death, evolution. They could have children—even if those children would never truly outlive them. They could pretend to have lives. Live the fantasy. Be the fantasy.

“Do you feel when they’re close?” I asked him. “I know you feel their deaths.”

Jack looked uncomfortable. “Yes. I can feel when my kind are near.”

I stared at him. “And?”

“There is an Aetar on this world,” he said, with some exasperation. “I can’t tell you who or where.”

“Can the others kill you?”

The question seemed to surprise him. “No.”

“But they can imprison you. They’ve done it to others.”

“Yes, and yes.” Jack gripped the porch rail. “You want me to go to them?”

“Do you have any allies? Like Sarai?”

A rueful, bitter smile touched his mouth. “Of course. I suppose you’re asking me to foment a rebellion? For what? Our greatest enemies?”

“For what’s right,” I told him. “And if that’s not enough, then do it for me. And for your great-granddaughter.”

“And Jeannie,” he murmured, turning away from me—but not before his expression crumbled, ravaged by terrible grief. It made me think of Grant, the possibility of losing him, and I hurried off the porch before he could turn back around and see my face.

“Where are you going?” he called after me.

“For a walk.” I managed to turn around and smile for him. “Don’t look so scared.”

Jack pushed away from the rail. “Maxine.”

I started to run.





CHAPTER 14




I wasn’t entirely human.

My ancestors had been tampered with. Treated like animals in an experiment that resulted in a bloodline meant to serve only one purpose: to be a living prison for five of the most dangerous demons in existence. Five creatures responsible for the deaths of worlds. Five hearts filled with such hunger and rage that even those who considered themselves gods (the same gods who had massacred billions for their own entertainment) could not fathom their cruelty.

What no one expected . . . what no one could have counted on . . . was that the prison made for those five demons would be the path to their redemption. That even they could have a change of heart.

The heart is powerful.

The heart is a weapon.



I didn’t stop running until I reached the woods.

It felt good. I needed the swing and rush of my body flying across the land and the pulse of the boys thudding alongside me like wolves in the night. My footing was solid, my stride strong—I raced headlong into the darkness, nearly blind, and my thoughts scattered in a million different directions, trying to hold on to some idea, some truth, anything that would give me the answers I needed.

Dek and Mal sang, their voices twining as close and warm as their bodies around my neck. I looked up and saw the stars, like a scattering of diamonds, and a terrible longing pounded through my heart, a feeling of homesickness, and despair.

We have slept too long, whispered the darkness inside me. The road sings, and we are hungry for dreams.

Help me, I asked, ashamed and desperate. I don’t know what to do.

You are the Hunter. I felt its cold smile press against my lips, and a terrible bottomless hunger crawled through me. Even darkness cannot hide from you.

I thought I was being teased, but instead of infuriating me, all I felt was resolve: an intoxicating, deadly conviction.