A Court of Stars and Shadow

Chapter 19

The realization that I was human again hit me like a truck, but it also filled my veins with pure determination. A plan began forming in my head and I willed all my focus on it, anything else and I might crumble into pieces again. I am going back; I will not except any other outcome. That thought alone made me shoot out a hand to my dresser, my other hand following soon after. I pushed up with all my strength and struggled to get my feet under me; they were so weak. Gritting my teeth, I took a step and studied how my body processed the weight on the leg. With that in mind, the next step was easier, and every step after until I regained my human legs and could walk without holding on to the side of some furniture.

With a little bounce of my legs, my knees already sore, and reassured I wouldn't topple over, I stepped to my closet and swung the doors open. Reaching with my tippy toes I strained to reach the black duffle stuffed in the end of my closet. My fingers brushed against the fabric, but I still couldn't reach it. The familiarity of the situation made my heart ache, but I took a little step closer and- there the bag wrapped around my fingers and I brought it down, hitting the floor with a little thump. Having my powers would be really great right now.

Gosh.... My powers. I hadn't realized the lack of power rolling through my veins. The silence in my blood made my stomach churn. I clenched my fists trying to hold it together and continue with my flimsily put together plan, but the nausea was too much and I barely made it to the toilet before leaning over the edge and hurling whatever food was in my stomach. Breakfast... this was my breakfast I had with Mor and Cassian... only this morning. I shook my head and only gave myself seconds to put myself together. I hope someone found the letters I had written before going with Amren, in case of the worst-case scenario... for the scenario I was in right now. I hope none of them hate me because of what I wrote, some of the secrets I revealed. Wiping my mouth with a small side towel I returned to my room and grabbed the duffle bag, unzipping it and opening it wide. Within a few moments I had walked to my small bookshelf and grabbed a handful of books. First... the 'Court of thorns and roses' series: from the first book to the most recent. I placed it gently in the side of the bag. Next was the 'Throne of glass' series: the books stacked so high in my arms I could barely see over them, but I placed them in the bag as well; Aelin's story was more than just inspiration, there were also war tactics in there... maybe some we could use. Finally, I placed 'A house of earth and blood' in the bag, the book more for Amren than anyone else. Three worlds... all connected in some way or another.

I ruffled through my room, throwing stuff in the bag if I thought it was useful. My charger, a pack of batteries, a portable charger. I would make my phone last as long as I could over there. I grabbed my photo album and tossed it in as well. I reached my desk and saw my small and very outdated computer in the corner. I pushed off the papers stacked on it and opened it, crossing my fingers that it had enough battery to last a couple of seconds. After what felt like hours the white screen popped up in front of me and my home screen greeted me: A picture of me and Emily at the school pep rally. One of my favorite photos of us. In the corner in white wrote: 6:23 pm. Monday the third.

Shit. I was gone for... how long was I gone for. Not 29 days as I had spent in Prythian. After I had finished cleaning the house, I checked my phone, it was around 1:05 in the morning. I had been sucked into the book minutes later. 29 hours. I had been gone for 29 hours. One hour here is a day over there. I had to move fast, before too much time passed. I shut the computer and put it to the side, ruffling through the drawers of the desk and throwing in a stack of pens. They could really use pens in Prythian. I found a small watch and wrapped it around my wrist.

With every drawer and pocket in my room searched I drifted to the middle of my room where the bag was and paced, talking to my self and counting off things on my fingers.