Page 21 of The Mist of Stars
“That’s a complicated question, and not the one you should be asking.” His smirk widens. “What you really should be wondering is: where didyoucome from?”
Okay, this guy is so giving off creepy vibes.
Without saying anything, I turn to leave.
“I’m Nicholas,” he calls out. “Does that name mean anything to you?”
I flick a glance over my shoulder. “No. And can you leave me alone? You’re being weird, and it’s creeping me out.”
His grin seems to darken. “Sure. Just one more thing, though.” He grabs the crystal ball off the stand and tosses it to me.
Out of pure instinct, I catch it. “Why the heck did you?—”
Swoosh.
I’m yanked into the crystal with Nicholas’s laughter echoing around me.
I fall into the light.
And fall.
And fall.
And fall.
I fall for so long that I wonder if I’ll ever stop, or if this is it—the vision that shows me that I end in nothing but light.
7GEMMA
Eventually, the light fades, but it’s worse because darkness takes its place. I can’t even tell if I’m falling anymore or if I’m floating in a pit of tar or something.
“Hello!” I shout.
The echo of my voice is my only response.
Great. I think I’m in the crystal ball, but since I don’t have the foreseers’ mark, I’m betting it’s not working correctly. Although, I’m not even certain how I managed to get in here without having foreseer powers. Maybe that Nicholas guy did it to me.
“God, he was so creepy,” I mumble to myself.
“Well, that’s rude.” The sound of his voice is like a siren with a sore throat.
I glance around, but all I see is darkness.
I don’t respond, hoping he can’t see me.
“You know I can see you, right?” he mocks. “I’m not seeing the same thing as you.”
I sigh. “Why not?”
“Because I know what to look for,” he replies vaguely.
“What am I supposed to look for?”
“You haven’t figured that out?”
“Dude, why are you so annoying? You’re speaking in riddles, like you’re a faerie or something.” I give a short pause. “Are you a faerie?”
“Again with all the wrong questions,” he tsks. “I’m so disappointed in you, Gemma.”