Sky reached up and gripped the bed frame as she picked up her pace. The bed made a gentle noise as it rocked against the wall. Adjusting her position, Sky moved her hips up and down on top of Jordy’s. Both began to moan softly but it was Sky who began whispering his name, “Jordy, yes…”

  Enjoying every stroke, Jordy took his time caressing her thighs up to her waist where he held on for a while. He then gripped her firm backside before moving up to her breast. It was then that he saw a shadow moving behind her. Reacting quickly, Jordy sprung up holding Sky from her back. “Whoa!” He said while moving his lover to the side. Jordy thought for sure he’d seen the Ancient Arkaminus walking through his bedroom. But that can’t be… Arkaminus was currently locked up in the dungeon. His eyes widened as he quickly glanced around, but no one was there.

  Sky also was alarmed and looked back staring into the dark shadows, “What? What is it?”

  Jordy sat up wrapping his arms around Sky’s waist and began to kiss her softly on the lips. “I thought I saw something. Sorry, don’t stop.” He whispered in her ear while kissing her down her neck.

  “You scared me… I almost lost my rhythm.” Said Sky as she smiled at her lover.

  “Oh, we don’t want that.” Jordy replied while continuing to kiss Sky on her chest.

  Sky placed her hands on Jordy’s shoulders playfully laying him back down. “Then let me finish what I started…”

  Giving her a smirk, Jordy replied “Yes ma’am.” Sky once again adjusted her position, then slowly began rocking back and forth. Enjoying the ride, Jordy kept his eyes closed until he started smelling something burning. When he opened his eyes, he saw his bedroom was engulfed in smoke. “Oh shit! Sky get up my room is on fire!”

  That didn’t stop her though… Sky kept her eyes closed as well as she continued stroking him. She bit her lower lip and moaned loudly as she picked up her pace. “Oh, Jordy yes!” He was surprised that the smoke didn’t seem to slow her down. It didn’t bother her at all... A few moments later, walls combust with fire covering the bedroom including the ceiling with bright orange flames.

  “Sky!” Jordy yelled once more to get her attention, but it didn’t work. Nothing seemed to pull her attention from him. To make matters worse, Jordy couldn’t move. The only part of his body that he could move was his head. He twisted and turned his head as he tried to avoid the floating ambers from burning him that surrounded them. He didn’t know which sensation to be enthralled by. The fact that his lover was giving him the ride of a lifetime while his apartment was covered in flames or that fact he could die while having sex. Sky’s strokes made the bed slam loudly against the wall this time. She was moving so fast on top of him that he released at the same time Sky did. Together they moaned aloud as everything around them was on fire except for the bed.

  Jordy flung his head back as the sensation of his release was overwhelmingly good. When he opened his eyes, Sky was still straddling his waist but somehow looked different. Her short locs were now very long that went all the way down her back. It was braided in a specific design he would only see among royalty. Sagen royalty to be exact... A design he recognized from the archive books. Sky had black tattoos all over her arms, legs and chest as well as many battle scars. When she opened her eyes to look down at her lover, they burned bright orange and red. The same color as the fire that was surrounding them. Jordy couldn’t believe what he was seeing as the Child of Fire was sitting on top of his naked body. Her naked body was covered in sweat beads, and her skin glowed like a goddess. Jordy was completely taken back by her beauty even though she didn’t look that different from Sky. He also noticed the fire that surrounded them wasn’t burning anything and the smoke that engulfed his room wasn’t choking him. It was like it was an alive wall decoration.

  The Child of Fire looked down at Jordy before saying, “Thanks for your seed...” She then lifted her hand which was bright orange like charcoal in a stove. Before she melted his face away, Jordy woke up. His body jerked so hard that the notebooks he had in his lap fell to the floor.

  Hearing the commotion, Molly slowly opened the door to the room Ishmael was staying in. “Hey, you alright? You fell asleep reading your brother’s notebooks. It sounded like you were having one interesting dream.”

  Jordy looked up a little surprised, “More like a nightmare.”

  Molly wobbled inside the room, then closed the door. She walked over to a nearby chair that was on the other side. It wasn’t a big room, but there was more than enough room to fit a small family. Molly chuckled at Jordy before saying, “Not from where I was sitting. There was a lot of moaning and oh Sky this and oh Sky that I’d thought to give you the room. You know you never whispered my name like that in your sleep...”

  Jordy cut his eyes at Molly then proceeded to stand up. He turned around and began collecting the notebooks that fell to the floor. “I think I should go... I see Ish made a good recovery.”

  “No wait!” Molly put up her hands as if she was surrendering. “I’m sorry, it’s the hormones. I swear, please. I’m ready for this baby to come out is all.” Jordy slowed down packing his things as Molly continued, “I know I fucked up things between us super bad, but it doesn’t mean I don’t care about you. I hear that Sky and her cousin could be the reason behind this and I think there might be a good reason.”

  That really perked Jordy’s interest, “How so? You fucking hate Sky and now you’re trying to defend her.”

  Molly chuckled again while rubbing her belly. “Yea, it’s true I don’t care for her, but I do like her cousin Ree.” The mother-to-be dropped her smile and looked Jordy directly into his eyes. “I read some of the notebooks and it sickened me. Hardcore... I didn’t know they were trafficking people like that. Did you? Did you know the KFM was doing fucked up shit like that, Jordy?”

  Again, Jordy cut his eyes, “Did you know about Phobos and the monster he was? The blatant hypocrisy my family has been involved in. They were working with monsters to capture other monsters... What fucking sense does that make? It’s all here, Molly. Phobos and those fucking queens have been feeding bullshit ideas to my brother and the KFM. Don’t come at me with questions... I have enough on my plate as it is.”

  Molly reached out her hand to stop her once childhood friend from leaving. “Wait! Clearly, everyone has kept things from us. I understand keeping things from me, but do you understand why they kept information from you?” Jordy gave Molly a blank stare as he waited for her to answer. She huffed then said, “Its cause you’re a fucking saint man! You make the rest of them look like the shitbags they are... What I’m saying is, you’re a really good kindhearted person Jordy who got put into the wrong family.” Molly looked down at her growing stomach and saw her son kick her belly. “Can I ask you one question?”

  Jordy nodded as he exhaled, “Sure...”

  “Do you love her?” Molly asked with a blank stare.

  “That’s a really loaded question coming from you, Mol.”

  “It’s simple really, do you love her? I see the way you look at her and the way she looks at you. I’m guessing yes, but I could be wrong. If so, I would try to piece the story together before making your final decision. Like I said before, there could be a good reason why all of this is happening. Karma is a bitch, and you best believe she always cashes in.”

  *

  Sky sat alone at the beach and watched the sun set over the largest ocean on Stella. The two moons that orbited the planet were beginning to pierce through the dusk sky. At the moment, the quiet brought Sky peace but also some alone time to think about all that had recently happened. Before night truly settled in, Sky could hear footsteps coming from behind her. Arkaminus sat down and crossed his legs. He exhaled deeply as he sat quietly next to Sky. Together they watched the moons come into full view as well as the stars that burned within the black sky. “For the record, I never wanted any of this to go this way." The Ancient Star looked up at those who called ‘space’ their home. “I mean, I never wanted this to feel like an invasion or something. The purpose is to set everything right again...”

  This tale has been unlawfully lifted from Royal Road; report any instances of this story if found elsewhere.

  Sky huffed before crossing her arms, “It’s already done, isn’t it? A piece of you is technically inside of me... Which is so fucking weird. So, how did you do it? Did you hex me or was it Jordy? How did this happen, cause you and I both know it wasn’t possible.”

  Arkaminus looked down and grabbed a handful of sand. “When I first met that lad, it was not in the nicest of places. The rebels kept me in small cells with little to no food or water. They kept saying since I was an Ancient, I should be able to turn water in to wine and silly things like that. Well, there were truly some days I suffered from thirst and hunger until I met Jordius. He was the only one who cared enough to bring me food and water. I actually don’t require much since I am so old. However, when he started coming around, I noticed I hardly went without necessities. Every time he delivered something to me, I made sure to touch him somehow. I know it sounds weird, but I was able to slowly transfer my essence into him without the lad knowing it. Truthfully, it was a stroke of luck you two decided to fall in love. Jordius has a pure heart, Sky. A good man with a pure soul otherwise, this wouldn’t have worked. I hope I’m making sense...”

  There was a short moment of silence before Sky sighed then said, “The others don’t seem so happy with me. Especially Kahree... The truth is I was supposed to use him for information, and boy was that the wrong pick. They kept a lot from him on purpose. I, however, was not supposed to fall in love with him though. I fought this stupid feeling for a while, and now all I can think about is how I’m going to tell him...”

  Arkaminus also turned his attention towards the ocean. The waves splashed back and forth as the winds picked up. “Your sister isn’t upset with you... Nor the others. I believe the feeling is concern for your well-being, and maybe a touch of confusion. Talk with your sister, and when the time is right everything will make sense.”

  Sky slowly turned her head towards Arkaminus’ direction. “For the record, your powers absolutely suck... Keeper of fucking life.”

  Arkaminus let out a huge roar of laughter. “Sometimes I agree with that... I think the best part about my powers is seeing the infinite number of different possibilities. I could take one possible outcome and make that person fulfill the destiny I see fit for them. Or allow the beauty of free will. The only cool thing I can do is see how the journey unfolds ahead of time. I’m allowed to guide some, but only in small increments.”

  Sky huffed a loud, “’small increments’, yea right. There’s still something bothering me though about the whole Phobos thing. Why didn’t he out us sooner? Like from the beginning. What did he have to gain giving the KFM breadcrumbs?”

  “My old servant only does things to benefit himself. So, whatever is the reason behind him working with the queens must be very good.” Arkaminus ran his long fingers through his short hair.

  Sky placed her hand on chin as she pondered what it could mean. It was burning in her brain. “I remember Jaca saying he and my father found out the queens wanted to ‘make a clean slate’. Phobos and the others used the KFM as collateral while the Star Counsel continued with their plans. But what was their real plan? I feel like I missing something...”

  Arkaminus stood to his feet, “What I can promise is everything will work out for our good.” He dusted off the sand from his robes, smiled down at Sky, then turned and walked away. Sky knew the reason why. Plus, there was only so much he was going to tell her... The Ancient Star wanted Sky to patch things up with sister. After a few minutes contemplating how the conversation might go, Sky got up and went searching for her.

  She found her walking around the large table of food that was provided. With a full plate in one hand and a cup of wine in the next, Kahree made her way to the campfire. Sky sat down on the log next to her sister’s. Without looking up Kahree said, “You’re not eating?”

  Sky shook her head, “No, I’m not hungry...”

  “You should since you’re eating for two now.” Kahree dropped the chicken bone down on the plate.

  “Can we talk please?” Sky got up and sat down on the same log as Kahree. “I don’t understand what you’re upset about? You’re acting like I did this on purpose.”

  There was a long silence between the girls. All they could hear at the moment was the fire crackling, the breeze going through the nearby trees, and Kahree’s spoon scraping her plate. “Do you remember my last target? The guy in that penthouse?” Kahree asked.

  “Yea, the big hairy naked man you were in bed with. I remember why?” Sky responded. “If I recall, you had him jump off his balcony. I can still hear his head splat on the concrete.”

  Kahree chuckled to herself as she recalled the memory as well. “That’s how he wanted to go out... He said, ‘the more dramatic the better.' His name was Gregory.”

  “You knew him personally?” Sky asked while propping her leg up on the log.

  “He was a mad scientist and a super nerd. We met at an underground rave in Eval. I thought he was so cute with his thick glasses, and his curly hair. Gregory and I saw each other in secret for three years... He knew who I really was, Sky. He knew I was the Child of Dreams...” Kahree stared directly at the fire without blinking. “I could be my true self around him.”

  Sky stared at her sister. She recognized that blank stare from anywhere. “You were in love with him...”

  Kahree nodded her head, agreeing, “Something like that... Gregory was nothing like Jordy though. He liked the underground, black market world. I told him he should have left ‘it’ alone. There was no way to find a cure for our kind.”

  That perked Sky’s attention. “Cure? What cure? For the Star Children you mean?”

  “Yea...” Kahree again in agreement. “Did I mention Gregory was related to Yousif?”

  Again, Sky searched through her memory to find out why that name sounded so familiar. “You mean Luna’s boyfriend. Wasn’t that his name? Wasn’t he also Queen Nira’s son?”

  “I knew about Luna and Yousif long before any of you all knew. I’m the reason they got together in the first place. I introduced them at a party Gregory and I attended. Supposedly they were hired by some higher-ups to help get rid of the Star gene problem. I didn't know Yousif would send his men in our direction that day. The Star Counsel said he was a threat to our way of life. You know the bullshit they fed us... When we got called back home and Father dropped the bomb about Luna going rogue, I knew why. I wish she would have fucking told me she was planning on something that dumb. I probably could have helped her find another way out. Anyway, I’ve blamed myself for what happened to Luna ever since.”

  Sky stared deeply into the fire as it danced around the wood that fed it. She could feel she was almost there figuring everything out. Pieces of this complicated puzzle were finally falling into place. One by one the details started to make sense... The silence between the girls was deafening until Kahree broke her sister out of her concentration. “Sorry... I hear you Ree, and none of this is your fault. It was planned, however. Let me explain, I thought I’ve figured it out.”

  Kahree leaned in and said, “I’m all ears...”

  “What if the whole thing was one big distraction? Ok, follow me. This ‘replacement’ was bound to happen sooner or later, right? What if the Star Counsel had been planning this for some time now. They needed us out of the way, so we wouldn’t catch on to what they were doing. That’s why they hired Phobos... to play both sides and keep the distractions going. He could have told the KFM from the beginning who we were, but he didn’t. What if one of us had a child with someone who was deemed our enemy was prophesized?”

  Kahree’s mouth opened slightly as she followed her sister’s breadcrumbs. “So, those queen bitches sent us to kill our ‘lovers’ just to make sure the child wasn’t born. That’s so fucked up.”

  “I agree.” Sky stood up and kicked sand out of frustration. “Kidnapping Arkaminus was a part of their distraction as well. They knew it would slow him down as well as us. I bet the queens were hoping the KFM would take us down. They almost had the right equipment to pull it off, but we were too fucking good at what we do.” She huffed as she sat back down. “It’s based on what Jaca told us about what Father had discovered. The queens are hoping to find a way to eradicate the Star gene, so they can give it out to whom they believe worthy. They never had any intention of allowing Gregory or Yousif to live. Like we mentioned, the queens weren’t anticipating Luna going rogue like that, so they improvised... The whole plan from the beginning was to get the rebels to take out as many Star Children as possible. Use their essence as weapons to take out more Star Children.”

  Kahree spoke up saying, “And with having our essence they could have killed off the Ancients as well. Fuck a clean slate, they wanted a full-on purge. I’m tired of these painful truths.” She put her head into her palms and began to sob. “He told me not to worry, but if his ticket ever came up that his death was exclusively for me to complete. That we’d have the best night of our lives before it happened.” She picked up and threw her plate into the fire making the ambers spark in the air. “It’s not fucking fair Sky!” Kahree wiped her face before saying, “So what are we going to do now? I’m ready to kill those backstabbing bitches!”

  Sky scooted closer then said, “We go to Freeland and find a way to draw everyone who’s involved out in trying to kill us. Then my dear sister, we kill them and become the rightful rulers of the universe...”

  Kahree smiled then placed her hand on her sister’s stomach. “You know I’m going to be the best auntie ever, right?” She leaned closer and started talking ‘baby talk’. “Your auntie Ree-Ree and your mama is going to make everything right again, just you see. Everything will work out for our good...”