Page 150 of Fallacies

Lucina signals again, and this time I don’t miss it.

Two days, she tells us. Dawn.

“Gods,” I swear, questioning whether I translated that right.

We weren’t sure how long it would take her, but the longer she’s in there, the greater the risk. Realistically, I was planning for a week, but two days? That’s…insane. Absolutely insane.

“Two days,” I announce to the group, shaking my head at the incredulous laughter that follows.

“Ask her how she did it?” Easton pleads, darting his attention between me and the sky. He’s giddy, practically bouncing on the balls of his feet.

“She needs to conserve her energy,” I remind him.

“Come on,” he begs, looking to the others for backup. Everyone’s so fucking happy that they’ll nod to anything. “Just ask. Please. I’ve got to know.”

Exhaling, I stare up at the sky, finding the star we’ve been using—bright and waiting.

There are a million things I want to say to her right now. A million things we don’t have translations for because I didn’t think they’d be necessary. I was wrong.

Relenting, I signal Easton’s question: How?

It takes her a long time to reply. Long enough that I go from assuming she’s searching for a short explanation to being a bit panicked. I’m seconds from imagining the worst when our star begins to flicker.

One word. Five letters.

Trust.

Easton is waiting eagerly. I can feel his attention on me.

“I don’t know,” I tell him. “She said ‘trust’?”

“Trust?” he questions back.

I shake my head, just as confused, and I’m about to chance my luck at asking for an explanation when she signals again. Short and sweet and…unrelated to my question.

See you soon.

The star blinks out—end of conversation. She took the light with her.

35

Lucina

Istumble into a smoke-filled hallway.

The Estate is just as dark as it always is, but something is glowing at the far end of the corridor. Golden robes snap around the corner, leaving a trail of warm light in their wake.

I follow that light, drawn to it, quickening my steps when it begins to disappear.

“Hello?” I call out, but my voice falls flat.

When I turn the corner, I see her. Her back is to me, shoulders tall, silver hair spilling down the fabric of gilded robes. There’s a crown atop her head, glittering like the sun in this lifeless dark.

She turns, laying her eyes on me.

Then she walks straight through the door in front of her.

My feet move after her, and when I approach, the door opens for me, revealing a pitch-dark room. I freeze over the threshold, searching for the woman.