When Stars Fall(The Last Star Trilogy #3)

Chapter 22-Phoenix Taurus

I gave up on sleep a while ago, retreating to the training area. Most of the time Raelynn followed me and tried to coax me to come back. Though she was having trouble closing her eyes since the new Gemini was snoring defiantly, even louder than me. Raelynn asked Anthony for a medication for me but I refused since it never worked. The Taurus symbol tingled my skin, I kept rubbing it and glancing at my Constellation. I could hear Virgo and Capricorn giggling and whispering from the other side of camp.

Their conversation died down after a while and I was grateful for it since I was craving peace and quiet which is a rarity on a rebel camp. Now I was helping Hellen send groups of soldiers into the city to fight back, there were gunshots and firing all night long. Almost none came back; the ones who did were injured badly and could no longer even stand on their own. We were bringing in more people from Crimsyn State but we were running out.

I scouted the sky, making mental notes on which Constellation we had left. Checking the main twelve first. Ever since the ban on Stargazing I had become cautious about losing my Constellation, even more since Belle had hers' taken. If she didn't have Ophiuchus she would be gone by now. If Taurus is taken from me I don't have a back up. I may go by the name Phoenix but despite that I didn't actually inherit the Constellation. Amara and Raelynn were both restless for the past few nights and their Signs were glowing, irritating their flesh so I had found it hard to rest with the fear that one of us might not be alive by morning.

I had spoken with Anthony after he got back from the funeral and according to him Nathan, Lewis and Tristan were having the same problems.

"What about you?" I had asked.

He hesitated, scratching the back of his head. "I'm..." He cleared his throat, wiping away beads of sweat. "I'm the same."

Dad had insisted that I stay back when we were setting up camp but Alfred had said that being an heir of one of the Twelve Major meant my presence was crucial. Mom had cried when I told her I was leaving, I felt bad about it but it's not like I would throw away everything I'd worked for and miss this. The worst part was training idiots like Nathan and trying to get them to pass an obstacle course without breaking their necks. He was working my last nerve, if he didn't pass tomorrow I would request Hellen that she send him back because he's useless. I had caught Lewis talking to him, their discussion seemed interesting. I was shocked that someone would want to even look at Nathan for more than ten seconds, much less have a deep conversation with him.

Everyone thought I was too harsh and rough, sometimes sadistic and rude. But I can't help it. They have their traits, I have mine. I didn't like being reminded of my temper.

They hid under the tables and ducked their heads as I approached. Though I kept a blank face, I was burning with rage on the inside.

They whispered insults and rumours about me amongst each other, they echoed in my brain at night which made me go almost mad.

I sat in the corner, sometimes with Raelynn but today I was alone. Raelynn and Anthony were reading and I wasn't in the mood for a history lesson at lunch.

"There she is," one of them said to the other.

"Why is she always so nasty?"

"Why is she irritated by everyone?"

I dug my nails into my palms, clenching my teeth.

"What's with her hair?" one bratty girl wondered, not lowering her voice.

"It's black," another told. They snickered before adding, "Like her soul."

Ignore them, I told myself. Control your anger. Don't let them get to you.