The Story of a Star! [Completed]

Book 22 - Trust

I woke up to the sound of a barking dog...or wolf? I sat up on my elbows to peer up at an empty bed. He was gone!

I began to hear screaming downstairs. I bolted out my bedroom and jump-skipped the steps and landed on the floor. "What's going on? Is everything alri-"

"Just this traitorous trespasser in our home." Aleri growled, her teeth bared into a snarl. She was getting ready to pounce on him!

"Aleri stop!" Lena had also come downstairs due to the commotion.

"My gosh-Kira why is he here?" She gasped in realization, "Did you go to Nebularis by yourself?!"

"Uh, actually I went with Sol." That did not help.

"That doesn't make a difference. I thought you said you were kidding. Ugh, this is your problem now. I'm tired, it's too bright outside, wake me up in the noon." She turned around and hobbled up the stairs.

Aleri went back to her little bed and eyed Vienohn suspiciously. "Are you okay? She didn't scratch you or anything?"

"I'm okay. Sorry for disturbing you. I just came to get some water." He walked into the kitchen to get a glass and I subconsciously followed him.

I'd been staring for a little while when I decided to ask him a question. "Back at the castle...what did he do to you?"

He gripped the cup while his eyes shut tightly. "I felt so powerless; unable defend or do anything myself. "

I sat at the table, giving all my attention to his words. "He tortured me, kept me in that dim dark filth and if he felt like it he'd come for target practice."

I let out a breath, trying to stay the least bit composed. "The worst part is, he'd use every chance to ruin your name."

What?

"I didn't believe any of it. Though he might have been right about you thinking lowly of me." I clenched my fists, unsure of how to feel about that statement.

"Kira I didn't expect to hurt you the way I did...didn't mean to at all. I came to earth wanting to leave behind everything and I wanted to see you, but then he came along and pulled me into his world of lies and blackmail. I should have never deceived you and your family. And your memories..." He came closer to me and held out a hand to my head. He looked at me asking for permission. I nodded.

"This might hurt." He connected a finger to my forehead as each memory that he took was slowly returning to me. The first time I met him as Vienohn, and when I went evil. The kiss...

"Ow-" I pulled away clutching my head. "I don't know what to say-"

"I kept them, I didn't want to get rid of them completely." What use would he have for my memories to keep them in the first place?

"Well, why?"

"They, we...its because." The look on his face said it all.

"I understand. But what I don't understand is why you had to take them in the first place."

"I didn't want you to know the real me, since you had already witnessed my change the first time you saw...me."

"What's so bad about you in the first place?" He took a seat in the chair diagonal from me and I shifted a little in my seat.

"I am a hybrid like I told you before so I'm not fully a Demon. Back on Nebularis, demons were already looked down upon by the people above and it was the same for the demons vice versa. Then I was made."

He sighed then shook his head. "I think it would be better for you to see it for yourself."

"Myself?" I aksed, confused. Maybe it was like the way I could see Aleri's memory when we crossed paths in the forest.

"A crystal veritus spell; a spell that allows you to see what another has seen in their lifetime. I'll show you." He gently took my hand and placed it on his forehead. He was very warm.

"Repeat after me, Crystal Veritus."

"Crystal Veritus!" My magic circle appeared, shooting out a small ray to create a projection screen. It showed me everything from childhood, his mother being taken away, his father abandoning his family, the ridicule and discrimination against Vienohns existence, his journey to earth and Ceria, every thing he had ever done to him. I hadn't noticed a stream of tears going down my face till Vienohn wiped them away.

"I'm truly sorry for everything. Really, Kira." I relaxed a little, clearing my mind for a bit.

"Even with all of this crazy mess, I can...I can forgive you, but," He nodded, showing me that I had his full attention. "I can't exactly trust you completely yet. You also need to make amends with everyone else. Not just me." I got up and walked over to the cabinet and pulled out the jewel meat treats Lucine had given us the first time we went to Luna for Aleri.

"I think the first one you'd need to see is Aleri." I smile, recalling the very judgemental look she's been giving him the whole time.

I passed him a small piece of the dried meat and watched as he steadily crept over to her in the living room and offered the treat with his head bowed to her. The large raspberry wolf sniffed him first then inspected his hand. Aleri took the meat and chewed it delightfully.

She thanked him and let him pet her. That was quick. He came back with a little grin on his face, happy to see that he'd been accepted by the animal that'd wanted to rip him apart moment's ago.

He began to walk to the stairs when I stopped him. "You might want to wait till noon to tell her everything. She might be the one to actually rip you apart if you disturb her sleep."

"Noted."