Dad answers with a blank stare, and just when I think he might come back to me again, he returns his frantic attention to the notebook, touching the Starfire on his left with his free hand. The crystal glows and his body relaxes.

  My heart pounding, I rise, and he continues to ignore me. There's no way I can bring him back like this and I can't leave him here either. Wirrin was right.

  I need to return to the Arcadia side of the Intersection. The World Senate really does have no idea what they’re dealing with in the Starfire. I don't even know if I should be using the gems. Who knows what the long-term effects of the crystals are on humans? Even the less-powerful crystals from outside the Intersection.

  I pull the small gem from my pocket and turn it in my fingers. The cuts are delicate and perfect. But could the Starfire still affect me in the same ways it's changing Dad if I keep the crystal for too long? I think about the One Pure Soul and how he had to take all the Mother Crystals to keep the Alku safe. I stuff the gem back inside my pocket. If this Starfire is my key to get back to Dad, then I must keep it. Reluctantly, I step away and watch him disappear into his own world again.

  “As soon as I can, I'll get back to you, Daddy.”

  My heart aches, and I slip my hand into my pocket and close my eyes.

  When I open my lids, I'm in Beda's chair, the smoldering embers still beside me in the fireplace.

  A sound in the shadows makes me jump and my breathing picks up as I see Beda's outline in the kitchen. Why is she here? Javen said she was out scouting.

  “Where were you?” She holds up a knife and then opens a drawer. I gasp at the sight.

  I must have just appeared out of nowhere in the seat. But this sort of thing must not be an infrequent occurrence for Beda.

  My quick breathing returns to normal as she puts the knife away in the drawer instead of directing the sharp point at me. Not that she needs a knife to hurt me, though.

  “Beda, I must go back to Arcadia.”

  I ignore her question, but I'm pretty sure she might like what I'm telling her better. She raises her eyebrow in interest. Apparently, I was correct. But then her brow lowers and her face twists into a suspicious expression as she utters one word.

  “Why?”

  “There are things to take care of. People I need to see, starting with the Board members, Hirata and Cooper, then my Dad's lab partners.” What was that guy’s name again? Dad mentioned him. Oh yes, Owens. “I can't do that from here. Keeping me hidden in Irilee isn’t going to do the Alku any good if I have information people need to help stop the war.”

  Beda walks out from the kitchen and crosses her arms over her chest. “Well, I have no problem with you leaving. It was definitely not my decision to have you stay in my home. I'm not sure what my father was thinking.” She narrows her eyes to slits.

  My heart thuds as she continues toward me, stopping only a foot away to tower over my head. “But you need to make sure when you are over there that you do nothing . . . nothing”—she growls with an emphasis on the last word— “to harm my people, including my family.”

  I press my back into the chair to move away from her. “I don't think you understand, Beda. I have no desire to harm anyone . . . human or Alku. I want to rescue my dad and find a way for both our people to live in peace. Nothing else.”

  “Nothing else? What about Javen? Where does he fit into this whole grand plan of yours?”

  “Javen?”

  “Yes,” she hisses. “Javen. What do you want from my cousin? Power? Position?”

  “No,” I protest. “I don't want any of that—”

  “Then what do you want, human? Because power and position are what come with Javen eventually. He will be the leader of our people. How will you fit into that picture? Because I for one won't see you as the intended to the Luminary of the Alku. And many others will not, either.” As she spits her words at me, she moves in closer, baring her teeth under her full lips. “And if you jeopardize Javen’s ability to take his rightful position, I'll personally ensure that your Starfire connection is severed.”

  “Severed?” I ball my hands.

  “Yes.” She sneers prettily and then huffs a disgusted laugh. “Didn't know that could happen, did you? The connection is a binding force but not unbreakable.”

  Uncurling my fists, I gently shove her back. “Get away from me, Beda.”

  She throws up her hands shoulder high and backs away. “I'll speak to my father about returning you tomorrow. But I’m sure he'll agree.” She turns and walks out the front door, leaving me alone.

  I lean forward and shove my head into my hands.

  Where do Javen and I fit into all of this?

  Chapter 7

  Iblink my eyelids open to the morning light streaming through the window in Beda's home. My body aches all over. I apparently slept in her chair all night. Guess the Starfire hasn't completely changed how I need a full night’s sleep yet.

  I roll my neck to work out the kinks. Memories of my second visit to Dad and Beda's conversation with me—if you can call it a conversation—turn through my mind.

  Guilt stabs at me for having to leave Dad in the Intersection. But I'll get help in figuring that out. I just hope I'm able to before it's too late and the Intersection changes him beyond repair. I glance down at my rumpled and twice-slept-in shirt and black pants. I can almost feel the tingly spray of hot water on my skin as I dream about a shower once I return to Arcadia, as well as the comfort of a fresh change of clothes.

  A rap echoes at the door and my breath hitches. Probably Beda again. But why would Beda knock on her own door? And it's not as if she gives me my space or privacy.

  I walk to the door and open it. Outside stands Javen, looking fresh and clean compared to me. But Javen gives me a soft smile and doesn't seem to care about my disheveled appearance.

  “You're going back?” he says, his voice peppered with sadness. He steps inside and shuts the door behind him.

  Beda must have already spoken to Wirrin and told Javen my news.

  “I need to. Staying here is useless. And there are things going on that you’re not aware of.”

  “Then tell me. Right now, I'm left out of all the decision-making. You are not telling me everything . . . Wirrin isn't telling me everything. The war is driving a wedge between the Alku.”

  I turn from him and walk toward the living area. “You are the one who convinced Wirrin to use the Starfire as a weapon to drive Hammond out of Primaro.”

  Javen stares at the floor, then pinches the bridge of his nose. “Because I felt it to be a temporary, emergency solution. But I feel the shift of my people inside me—a shift toward more war—and I can't let this rift happen.”

  “Am I holding you back?”

  Javen looks up, startled at my question. “What? Why would you ask that?”

  Tears sting my eyes. “Because it might be true. What if our connection is actually dividing you? How are you supposed to stay loyal to the Alku and loyal to me . . . a human?

  Javen furrows his brows. “Cassi, you are a part of who I am. There's nothing that can change that now.”

  But there possibly is. What if Beda is right and severing my connection with Javen is the right thing to do? Sometimes I fear that I’ll hold him back from stepping up to become a leader for his people.

  I push away the thoughts. If humans and the Alku are to stay on Arcadia, our races need to make a bond. What better way than to set the example? As I study Javen's hurt expression, my need for him comes flooding back and all my doubts wash away. Javen and I are in this together, and we need to set things right as a team.

  “I'm sorry,” I say and step toward him. “The pressure is getting to me.” I gesture to the room with my hand. “And staying at Beda's isn't helping the situation. She keeps freaking me out.”

  As he has before, he opens his arms to me and I fall into them. His warm, muscled chest feels good against me and, for a moment, helps me forget the mess.

  “My dad isn't okay,” I admit into his chest.

  He leans away from me, and I look up to him.

  “What do you mean?” The corners of his mouth tilt downward.

  “He gave me a Starfire when I saw him yesterday. And last night the crystal took me back to him.”

  “From where? An Intersection point?”

  “I don't think so, unless the Starfire created a new one. I was here in the living room, and then I was there—in the Intersection.”

  “So, you were able to create an entrance point leading inside the Intersection on your own?” Javen furrows his brow. “How could that happen?”

  “I have no idea how it’s working, but before a few weeks ago, I didn't know two dimensions could exist on the same planet. So at this point, anything seems possible.”

  Javen reaches for me and gently takes my hand. “Then what’s next?”

  “I need to go to Arcadia and contact some of the people from Dad's terraforming team. He trusted them.”

  “How is his team going to know how to help you? How much could they know about the Intersection?”

  Frustration brews in my stomach. Dad said they were working on a theory that the Intersection was an actual place, and Dr. Owens did make the device Dad had that may have allowed him inside the dimension. So they might know something. “I need help from someone. And the ousted World Senate members must have people on Earth who can do something.” I search Javen’s eyes.

  “I'll go with you,” Javen offers. “I can be a liaison and help answer questions as best I can about the Starfire. Maybe my information will help the willing Senate members take action more quickly.”

  “But your people need you here.”

  “I know, but maybe on your side I can find out information beneficial to both of our people. And find a way to stop using the Starfire as a weapon. Maybe there's a way to use the power for good.”

  I nod, but in my heart I know the World Senate and Hammond have their own weapons. And I doubt whether, without using the Starfire as our own weapon, we’ll be able to hold them back.

  Chapter 8

  As I take Javen's hand electricity ripples through my fingers and arm. As the space around us warps, a warm sensation of safety falls over me, just by having him here. I want more than anything to completely give into the feeling. But something tickles at the back of my mind, warning me to stay alert, to be on guard.

  With a snap, Javen and I go from pure, organic surroundings to streets and buildings. A dull cyan glow surrounds us. Javen has us cloaked from view. So I keep hold of his hand to maintain our invisibility.

  A few of the buildings in downtown Primaro are damaged by the fighting, but overall the city is in better condition than I thought. Everything is still standing, at least. I'd hate to see all of Dad's hard work destroyed.

  I tap my Connect, using my free hand, and select the mapping function. A hologram of our current location appears over my wrist device.

  “Spectra, the restaurant I worked at, is only a couple of blocks away,” I say. “I'm going to tell Max to meet us there if he can.”

  Javen flinches slightly at the mention of Max's name but bows his head.

  I tap my Connect to message Max.

  Meet me behind Spectra as soon as you can.

  Almost immediately the words from my friend appear on the screen. My heart skips at the thought of seeing him soon.

  You’re back?! I’ll be right there—10 minutes tops.

  I pull Javen forward, and we weave around a squad of troops who have weapons slung over their shoulders. I glance back after we pass. They're all human, not a single Alku. A ship passes overhead. My shoulders flinch, but the vessel passes and only seems to be patrolling.

  After two blocks, we travel through a walkway leading to the rear of Spectra and then wait. Javen leans his back up against the wall, still holding my hand. I open my mouth to speak when a group of people round the corner, cutting me off. Even though no one sees me, I press against the wall next to Javen.

  The two men and one woman stop less than ten feet from us. The woman is well-dressed, with curly, dark hair pulled into a low ponytail. The men are equally well-dressed. I narrow my eyes. The entire group looks as if they work in the Capitol building.

  “If mining the crystal ore is a way to save Earth, then we should do it,” the shortest of the two men say. “We are talking about billions of people.”

  My heart sinks when I realize what the group is discussing. Primaro has been secured. Those who agreed with Hammond should have already fled. If the people who stayed behind are beginning to back her, we may be in real trouble. I watch Javen as he studies the group, jaw clenched.

  “We should wait this out.” The other man leans in and whispers. “I want to save Earth, too. Of course, I do. But we have no idea what these Alku people are capable of. Sure, they seem to be helping us for now. But the Starfire ore appears powerful. I wouldn't want them turning on us. You've seen those alien movies— if you know what I mean.”

  The short man grimaces.

  The woman crosses her arms over her chest. “I've received access to the preliminary reports. The Alku are definitely holding back on the Starfire's capabilities. I don't trust them. And I agree we should take them out while we have the chance. They're not resisting. Why wait until they do?”

  My Connect buzzes, and I turn my wrist over. Max.

  I'm heading around the corner.

  Before I have a chance to tell him to wait a few minutes so we can listen to more of this conversation, Max is already in sight.

  The woman spots him and glances at her Connect. “I'm on my way to breakfast. Does either of you want to join me?”

  “Sure,” says the taller man.

  “There's a meeting I'm due at in twenty minutes,” the other man says.

  They bid their goodbyes and leave.

  Max jogs our way, searching around for us. My heart picks up the pace as he gets closer. I let go of Javen's grasp, and the cyan glow around us dissipates.

  Max skids to a stop. “Whoa, were you there the whole time?”

  “Yeah,” I say and rush toward him, pulling him into an embrace. “Just being careful.” My heart fills with joy at seeing him again.

  Max lets out a sigh and then eases from me. He glances at Javen, who is staring intently at him, an eyebrow raised.

  “Well,” Max says, “I should get you two out of here. Things are pretty quiet right now and almost normal since the Senate called a truce. But word is that people are getting restless. I try not to be on the street unless I have to be. I brought a car to take us back to base.”

  “Is Irene there?” I ask.

  Max snickers. “She's been taking over the place.”

  I chuckle. “Sounds like Irene.”

  I grab for Javen's hand again, but he backs up.

  “I can't go with you,” he says.

  Confused, I reach for him. “Why not?”

  “You heard those people, and he”—Javen flits a look at Max— “just confirmed that the people of Primaro are growing restless. I need to speak with my father and Wirrin about the conversation we overheard.”

  “But there'll probably be more information once we get to Hirata and Cooper. We can find out all the details about the World Senate talks.”

  A sad smile softens his face and he whispers, “I must speak with my family now. We are running out of time.” He touches my cheek, and the lingering graze of his fingertips makes me gasp. On instinct, I raise on my toes and touch my lips to his. He returns the kiss passionately and locks his arm around my waist. Stars fill my pulse and then, like a wisp of air . . . he vanishes.

  Max clears his throat from behind, and I spin on my heels toward him.

  “Uh, sorry.” My cheeks are strawberry pink now; I can feel the flush. “You didn't need to see that.”

  Max shrugs and studies the ground. “We should go.”

  I follow him around to the front of the building and spot the white car he must have brought. He taps his Connect and the doors slide open. Movement catches my eye and I watch another group of soldiers patrol the street. Apparently keeping the peace. I speed up to receive the protection the vehicle offers. I doubt it's any safer. Really, nothing out here feels safe anymore. Nevertheless, I let out a shaky breath of relief as Max slides into the seat next to me and secures our doors.

  He runs his finger over the display in front of him and taps a few times. The car moves forward.

  “It's really good to see you,” I say.

  Max sighs again. “It's good to see you, too. I hate the fact I couldn't message you while you were with the Alku.”

  “For some reason, the tech doesn't work across the Intersection.”

  “I'm still trying to work out all this Intersection stuff.”

  I laugh. “Me too.”

  “Well, you seem to have a better handle on everything than me.”

  “Trust me, the Intersection is still a mystery to me in many ways. I just hope I can find out more information in Dad's lab.”

  “His lab?”

  “Apparently he had a secret lab built outside the city.”

  Max narrows his eyes while still watching the road. “Then how do you know?”

  “My dad is alive.”

  Max opens his mouth in shock. “What? Where is he? That's amazing!”

  “I can't tell you yet. Until I get more information, no one should know. I'm afraid exposing him could make him a target again.”

  Max furrows his brows and blinks. “Why?”

  “All I can say is the Starfire and crossing the Intersection are far more complicated than anyone previously thought. He wants to stay where he is unless I can find help.” It's a white lie, but I can't tell Max why I'm leaving Dad where he is.

  “You must be relieved he's alive though, right?”

  “I am. And I got to visit him twice.”

  “And he's okay?”

  “Yeah,” I say a little too quickly.

  Max furrows his brows further. “You sure?”

 

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