Star Gods, стр. 19
I shift, pain radiating. I try my best to keep my face from revealing it. “I’m able to travel from place to place.”
“A power.”
“An ability—given to me from my Star God ancestors.”
She scrunches her eyes. “You said a Star God stabbed you.”
I nod.
“A family member tried to kill you?”
I shake my head. “The Star God race is like the human one, we’re not related to everyone.”
“Someone you know tried to kill you.”
“I don’t know him. I met him. He told me I had to save you.”
“Why?”
I shake my head. “That’s what we need to figure out.”
She taps her toes with her fingers, her nails painted a bright green. “He was going to kill me, wasn’t he?”
“I believe so.”
She glances at my family picture again. “This doesn’t make any sense.”
“I can’t agree more.”
“One minute I’m walking to what I’m currently calling home and the next I’m suddenly in an alley with you and the stabbing man.” She draws her eyes to me. “How?”
“One of you traveled.”
“Like how you got me here?”
I nod.
“I can’t do that, it had to be him.”
My door opens the rest of the way and Sage jumps as Tyce steps into my room with Claire in tow. “I come in peace,” he says, extending his hand and smiling. “I’m Tyce.”
She hesitates, then clasps his hand and smiles. My mom’s smile flashes in my mind. “I’m Sage.”
“Can I ask you a question?” Tyce asks.
She encircles her legs with her arms. “Sure.”
“You said you felt something when Ashe and I instated the wards.” He briefly touches my forehead, and then playfully shoves me when he sits on the edge of my bed, grabbing Claire’s hand to draw her onto his lap.
“It feels like my skin is crawling.”
“Even now?”
Her head snaps toward the door. Ashe is leaning against the doorframe, his arms crossed.
Sage runs her hands up and down her arms. “Yes.”
“Humans can’t feel the wards,” Ashe responds.
“I assure you, I’m human.” She holds out an arm. “Would you like a blood test?”
Ashe diverts his eyes to me. “You’re certain she traveled?”
“I didn’t travel to that alley,” she interrupts, pointing to her chest.
“I have a feeling Zeke is going to say differently,” Ashe says.
I draw a hand through my hair and stifle a yawn. “I felt it. Neil wasn’t there yet.”
Sage waves her hands at me. “Hold on, I’m not some Star God. I didn’t travel, I was only going home.”
“Star Gods are male,” Tyce reminds, looking between Ashe and me.
“There, see, it wasn’t me.”
“There’s no female’s at all?” Claire asks.
“That’s not what I meant,” Tyce answers. “Star Gods are male as they are the only ones with abilities. Otherwise, it would be Star Gods and Goddesses.”
“Actually.” Ashe scratches his head. “There are female Star Gods with abilities. They’re rare, but they’re out there.”
“I am not an alien, or a Star God descendent, or whatever you all are,” Sage interjects her face flushing.
“Being one isn’t a bad thing,” Ashe answers. “Star Gods are protectors of the Earth and the entire human race with unique abilities that allow us to be protectors. It’s what we are, it’s what we do.”
“I’m telling you, I didn’t travel or transport or whatever.”
“You may not like this, but violet eyes are a trait of being a descendent of Star Gods,” I point out.
She pales. “I’m not part alien.”
“Ever think of going to the movies and all of a sudden, wa-la you’re there?”
“No. But I’m guessing you did.”
“Yeah, freaked a few people out and our dad had to wipe their memories.”
“Where are your parents?”
“They went missing eight months ago,” Ashe answers. “You probably should call yours and let them know you’re all right. Zeke can take you back home once he’s up to it.”
Sage drops her gaze and runs her hands over my bedspread. “I don’t have parents. My mom died when I was eight. I’m a ward of the state and my foster parents won’t report me missing until Social Services comes knocking on their door.”
“That’s messed up,” Tyce responds.
“You’re telling me,” Sage answers sarcastically.
“What about your dad?” Claire asks.
“I was adopted. No dad, at least not an adoptive dad.” Sage scrunches her eyebrows at Ashe. “You’d have your wounded brother transport me instead of driving me yourself? What’s wrong with you?”
Ashe smirks. “I’d have no problem driving you, except for the fact I’m certain you don’t live in Minnesota.”
Sage pales again. “Minnesota? I’m in Minnesota?”
Ashe nods.
“I live in Chicago. How did I get here?”
“Do we really need to go through that again?” Tyce asks. “’Cause if we are, I’m going to need some chow.”
“I could eat,” Sage remarks, looking hopeful.
“Come on.” He motions for Sage to follow him. “Cesar sent more sandwiches, we have plenty.”
“Cesar?” She climbs off my bed and folds the waistband of my too long sweats.
“My dad,” Claire answers.
“Are you a Star God too?”
Claire chuckles. “No, I wish, but I’m human.”
Sage glances back at me as we go down the hallway. Her smile falters when she sees me rubbing my stomach. I quickly drop my hand.
We cluster around the table. Tyce passes out sandwiches and chips while Ashe grabs out glasses, fills them with milk, and sets the first in front of Sage. She smiles and downs half the glass.
“How do you know Neil, Sage?” Ashe asks, returning the jug of milk to the fridge and leaning back against the counter.
Sage finishes chewing and swallows. “Neil?”
“The Star God who stabbed Zeke, how do you know him?”
“I don’t.”
Tyce gets up. “I’ll get it.” He disappears down the hall and returns with my sketchpad, plopping it in front of Sage already opened to Neil’s picture.
“Oh, I’ve met him.” Sage takes another bite of her sandwich.
Ashe sets his uneaten sandwich onto his plate. “Where?”
“He started coming into the coffee shop I work at about a week ago. His order for coffee was different each day. He’d strike up a conversation and joke a little. He seemed harmless.”
“So you spoke to him.”
“I speak to