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Back When Stars Come Out Save as PDF
Chapters (51)
  1. Front Cover
  2. Title Page
  3. Copyright
  4. Contents
  5. Content Warning
  6. Chapter One
  7. Chapter Two
  8. Chapter Three
  9. Chapter Four
  10. Chapter Five
  11. Chapter Six
  12. Chapter Seven
  13. Chapter Eight
  14. Chapter Nine
  15. Chapter Ten
  16. Chapter Eleven
  17. Chapter Twelve
  18. Chapter Thirteen
  19. Chapter Fourteen
  20. Chapter Fifteen
  21. Chapter Sixteen
  22. Chapter Seventeen
  23. Chapter Eighteen
  24. Chapter Nineteen
  25. Chapter Twenty
  26. Chapter Twenty-One
  27. Chapter Twenty-Two
  28. Chapter Twenty-Three
  29. Chapter Twenty-Four
  30. Chapter Twenty-Five
  31. Chapter Twenty-Six
  32. Chapter Twenty-Seven
  33. Chapter Twenty-Eight
  34. Chapter Twenty-Nine
  35. Chapter Thirty
  36. Chapter Thirty-One
  37. Chapter Thirty-Two
  38. Chapter Thirty-Three
  39. Chapter Thirty-Four
  40. Chapter Thirty-Five
  41. Chapter Thirty-Six
  42. Chapter Thirty-Seven
  43. Chapter Thirty-Eight
  44. Chapter Thirty-Nine
  45. Chapter Forty
  46. Chapter Forty-One
  47. Chapter Forty-Two
  48. Chapter Forty-Three
  49. Chapter Forty-Four
  50. About the Author
  51. Back Cover

A cold tension settles upon the room, making bumps rise on my skin and the sweat on my face dry. Dad’s trying to take up for me, and if Lily’s death wasn’t in danger of being labeled a true suicide, I might take his out, but I can’t let anyone think what happened here is because she was ashamed.

“I’m very familiar with the Vera Bennet case,” I try again. “The injuries sustained are the same. An exchange isn’t far-fetched, given that we believe the Eurydice has incarnated. It should be our first theory.”

There is silence, and then Elite Cain speaks.

“Thank you, Shadow Knight,” he says. “Until further notice, you are excused from patrol at Nacoma Knight Academy and all other duties as assigned.”

“What?” They’re benching me from duty? Anger rises from the pit of my stomach. Roth warned me this would happen.

“This is not punishment, Shadow Knight. Think of it as a courtesy, generously granted by your superiors. It will give you time to grieve.”

“I don’t need time to grieve,” I argue. I don’t buy their this isn’t punishment excuse. “I need time to figure out who did this to Lily.”

“You forget yourself, Shadow Knight. You are only provisionally a tracker. Despite what Successor Roth may think, you are not ready for ranks.”

That’s a blow I didn’t see coming.

“Does Successor Roth know you are revoking my rank?”

“Successor Roth has no jurisdiction here until he becomes luminary, Shadow Knight. Besides, what progress have you made in locating the Eurydice? Perhaps if you had been more prepared when offered your rank, Lily Martin might not be dead.”

The accusation tears through my chest like a scythe—if I’d found the Eurydice sooner, Lily would still be alive.

Problem is, I’m not so sure they’re wrong.

I never considered Roth’s attention might damn me after graduation, but the fact that I’m only nine months away from placement and I’ve failed so publicly at this means my goal of becoming a commander is dead.

I place my fist to my chest and bow my head.

“I accept time to grieve. Thank you, Elite Cain.”

Those are the hardest words I’ve ever spoken. I turn and leave.

Chapter Twenty-Two

Anora and the Funeral

Two days after Lily’s death, a memorial is held at Nacoma Knight Academy. A bruised sky emits a constant film of rain. I walk beneath it, uncovered, heels sinking into the earth.