It turns out I was simply waiting for the right motivation.
Celestial magic swarms inside me, a vicious maelstrom turning light into dark.
Day into night.
Life into death.
Of all the possibilities, I never thought this one would be the one I chose…
If you recall, I told you that someone was lying to you.And I think it’s time to confess… I am that liar.
And this is where the lie began.
29
Midnight
Idon’t remember getting home.I don’t remember getting on the bike, or the ride back to campus.I don’t remember how I got passed Obidiah on the campus gates or Vetch on House Inferos.
I blink and I’m back in my body, present in a way that makes me lean against the door frame and retch all over again.But there’s nothing left in my guts, so all I do is dry heave.The door opens.I’m barely conscious.
I’m no longer sure what’s real.
Thaddeus is here.
I killed a man.
I saw the Celestial Realm.
The man was old and sweet and had a good life.He made a bad choice getting into bed with Ignatius.But I wanted to help him.I wanted to keep his last truth and carry it with me to the dark.It’s dark now.Or maybe it’s morning.
Something is wrong with me.
I’m not okay.
Why aren’t I okay?
There’s a thud.
My head hurts.
The door swings open.“I killed him.”
“Who?”Bastien says.
“An innocent.”
There are several gasped breaths and then I’m in arms.They’re warm, and strong.I think it’s Bastien.But they’re too soft for him.
“Lucy,” I breathe.
But that’s stupid.Lucy is imprisoned.I’m hallucinating again.Was I poisoned?I think I was poisoned.
It’s bright now.Like when you’re going into the bathroom in the middle of the night and forget it’s dark and switch on the light.
I squint.
“I love Lucy,” I mumble.“I made a really bad decision.”
