Ad Astra Per Aspera

Chapter 8

It's all lies, darling.

Blaze's POV

Astralea woke up panting again. Those memories are clearly getting to her. It must be intense, remembering shit you never thought happened.

"What did you remember?" I ask her.

"How long have you been in the room? This is not normal. You need to fucking stop. And I remember getting close to Matteo, spending time with him, and I remember the attack and getting kidnapped. And I remember him getting me back and you were there."

"Yes."

"And you got me out. You were the one driving the car."

"More like, I helped getting you out."

"Why?" Isn't that the question of the century? Shit went downhill after that.

"Because Matteo called us and asked for help."

"Matteo knew Vipers?"

"Not just knew, he was one of us."

"What?"

"Matteo grew up here, but he chose to leave, but never broke contact with us. Arcane and I just became leaders then. In a way he was still working with us. So when you got kidnapped he called us for help, and luckily, we were nearby. "

He was the first to leave under our rule. We just got in power, he was a year younger and we were still learning how to operate. But it was clear that this life isn't for him, and having an ally on the outside benefited us in the long run.

"So Rue didn't lie when she said anyone can leave."

"He joined when he was a teenager, but by the time he turned 18 it was obvious that he didn't want to be in the shadows, he wanted to lead. And so we let him."

"Weren't you worried that he would say something?"

"He knew he would die as soon as he did. That's the law. And he was smart enough to understand that. Plus there was no need for him to."

I feel like this is too much for her.

"So did you find out that day that I'm not who I was saying I was?"

"No. You were good. Are good. And your cover was great. We wouldn't have known the truth if-"

I should tread carefully.

"You told us." Well, not exactly, "Because you cared."

"Cared about what?"

"Not what. Who."

"You?"

I laugh at that. "No, I'm pretty sure you hated me at first."

"Well that at least sounds realistic."

"Matteo. You cared about him. And then he found out the truth and- honestly, that's not for me to tell but for you to see. Anyways, get ready."

"For what?"

"Training of course. Can't let you go soft."

Astralea POV

"I might kill your students."

"I'm sure you could if you wanted to, but you won't be training with them though, you will be with level twos."

"Level twos?"

"Didn't Rue tell you about levels?"

"No."

"Well, ask her when she will be walking you to the training ground. I need to go. I wonder what level you are, probably one."