When Stars Fall(The Last Star Trilogy #3)

Chapter 17-Raelynn Aquarius

Going outside was a mistake, not because I could freeze off my eyelashes but because Lewis wouldn't stop staring at me. He sat on the logs with Nathan and Anthony. Tristan was missing, as usual, he hadn't been himself ever since Belle had left. Nathan kept nudging Lewis, Anthony slapped him on the back, I saw protectiveness in their eyes. Lewis turned red, his cheeks bright on his coffee coloured skin. I sat cross-legged outside our tent, trying to curtain my face-tinted red-with my hair, fidgeting with the hem of my shirt. He's not so bad, Phoenix had said to me. She was obviously in a good mood that day since she never compliments anyone, much less a guy. The last time she was impressed by Lewis was when he amazed everyone with his archery skills in Crimsyn State. I heard a muffled conversation coming from one of the tents, I followed the two voices and they led me to the biggest tent at camp. Hellen was bickering again with Alfred.

"I'm saying that you should let me talk to him once," Hellen spat. "You had a chance to talk to Annabelle, she got a chance then Alec deserves the same. I know how you feel about him but if I would've raised him then he would be a good person, he's just been twisted by Jaxon."

"I understand, Hellen," Alfred started. I didn't mean to eavesdrop but I crouched down at the back of their tent and listened quietly. My curiosity was bigger than my shame. Hellen had sworn me to secrecy that Alec was in fact her son. She had told many people but we were forbidden to speak the truth. I was the alternative for Alec, she treated me like the child she didn't get to raise. "But right now you are fighting against them, you can't be distracted by personal regrets or emotions."

Regret. She regrets leaving him behind.

"I will get into that palace and negotiate with my son," she insisted. She had been stubborn about changing Alec's mind. Hellen thought he could be convinced into siding with us. If she's so stubborn then how does she expect Alec to change his loyalty? Phoenix had snapped, Like mother like son.

"You can't do that," Alfred warned. 'It's dangerous and risky. I won't allow it."

"I don't care." Hellen almost shouted. "You were about to operate a rescue mission to save Belle, if that was doable then having a mother-son conversation is to."

I heard Alfred huff in anger.

"Why does Belle matter more than Alec?" Hellen snapped.

"She is the number one leader of our cause," Alfred reminded. "She is The Last Star of her Constellation. We have waited for her for years and she's the only one who can stop the Hydras."

"Yes, yes," Hellen groaned. I could picture her rolling her eyes. "She's the serpent-bearer, she's the one who can grasp Hydra with the Celestial Energy of Ophiuchus. Why hasn't she done it yet? If she's so strong."

"She doesn't know how," Alfred boomed. "If I remember correctly, you were the one who was supposed to teach her the Astrological ways."

"We never got to that part," Hellen said, defensive. "She was taking too long with just Star Stones and Astral Travel. It's not my fault she was so slow."

"Don't talk about her like that," Alfred seemed to beg.

"Like what?"

"Like..." he trailed off.

"Like what?" Hellen repeated after a pause.

"Don't talk about her like she's gone forever," Alfred finished, his teeth gritted.

There was silence and for a moment I thought they realized they were being spied on. My insides twisted and churned, bile rising in my throat but I swallowed it down after they continued.

"Those Hydras ruined my boy, they're masters at destroying people," Hellen told. I could hear the pain in her voice. She drew in a shaky breath. "Hope and pray that Belle is still stable if we get her out."