Star Gods, стр. 34

She jabs her finger in my direction. “You were pissed, again, and you don’t think when you’re pissed.”

My own anger moves up a notch. “Touché.” I brush at my pants. “Believe me, I put a lot of thought into this before using Ashe’s ability.”

Abby whirls around. “You did what?”

“He pushed into my mind and used my ability to get through our wards and come to you,” Ashe answers angrily. “How the hell did you do that?”

I rub at my sore chest while my sister glares at me. “I thought about how Sage extracted my barrier and I went through her to borrow yours.”

He shakes his head, his lips in a hard line. “Zeke…”

“You kicked Abby out.” I point to my chest, my voice rising. “I had a right to know what’s going on. Especially when it’s about me!”

“That’s exactly why I didn’t tell you, to keep you from going off half-cocked!”

“Well, surprise, I did it anyway!”

“You left without our added protection!” Tears start trailing down Ashe’s cheeks making me stare in surprise. “What the hell is wrong with you? Do you not understand that dead is dead, Zeke?” He pushes the heels of his hands onto his eyes and lets out an uttered cry of frustration. “Dammit, Tyce and I can’t heal the dead.”

Abby gets between us, placing her hand on my brother’s chest. “Zeke is safe, Ashe. We’ll make sure he’s safe, all of us together.”

“We can’t keep him safe if he keeps pulling stupid stunts like this!”

“He’s listening now.”

“I can’t do this.” Ashe turns his back on us and laces his fingers on the back of his head.

I stare at my brother in shock. He’s always been a rock. I’ve never seen him lose his composure, even when our parents went missing.

Abby goes to him placing her hand on his back and he stiffens. “You’re not alone in this, Ashe. I’m here for all of you until this is done.”

He chokes up and sits on her couch, placing his head into his hands. “I’m damn scared, Abby, and I don’t know what the hell I’m doing. I’m terrified I’m going to lose my little brother and sister.” He looks up at Abby and I swallow hard as my own emotions build. “I really need your help, Abby. I really need you.”

She kneels in front of him grasping his hands and he places his forehead onto hers.

“I’m so sorry, Abby. I’m sorry I made you cry.”

“We’ll just chalk it off as being pigheaded.”

Ashe chuckles and kisses her.

Sage is drying her tears as I slowly walk to the window facing the alley and quickly swipe away mine. We work together, that’s the Star God way. I have to stick with my family.

“Now that we’ve gotten through that,” Tyce says, clearing his throat. “Someone please fill the rest of us in on what was said and what’s going on.”

“Assassins Levi and Levia want to take over the Star God Planet,” I explain. “They know about the legend, they know about Sage and me and want us dead.” I almost leave out the rest and decide against it. “Abby thinks Levi took over as Head Assassin. She’s confident the staff I put back together is his.”

“We’re screwed, aren’t we?” Tyce asks.

“Apparently.” I turn from the window. Why leave anything out now? “Abby says there’s something different about me.”

“What do you mean by different?” Ashe asks in alarm. “Abby, you didn’t tell me this part.”

“Because you threw me out before I could finish.” She sits on one of his knees.

Ashe places his arms around her. “Fill me in now.”

The way he looks at her makes me wonder how long they’ve been dating.

“The Luminaries were discussing it, but weren’t certain what it was,” Abby answers. “They kept going back to it being Zeke’s abilities, or something to do with him specifically. With what he did with yours, Ashe, I think they’re right.”

“I’m a twin, Abby, there’s nothing I can do that Sage can’t do as well. You said so yourself.”

Abby shakes her head. “I don’t think so. If the Luminaries are right and you are different, Zeke, there’s something you do alone.”

I shake my head in disagreement, ignoring the panic wanting to seep in, and move a box off a chair to sit down. “She just needs more practice.”

“What do we do now?” Sage asks. “Stay here and hide? Throw abilities at Zeke and see what he can do with them?”

“Now, there’s a thought,” Tyce responds, grinning.

I roll my eyes, leaning forward and resting my forearms onto my thighs. “Abby, that shield of Ally’s, its protection is strong.”

She smiles. “Yes.”

“Do you think it could be added to Tyce and Ashe’s wards to possibly keep us from being detected?”

“Possibly. Why?”

I smirk. “Because we have the perfect place for Sage to practice.” I extend my barrier around everyone and bring us to the clearing Dad created.

“There’s no one around,” I say, as Sage turns nervous eyes to me. “Put up the wards with Ally’s shield added.”

“Yours first, Ashe,” Abby instructs. “Then mine, and then Tyce.”

Sage moves next to me, rubbing her arms, her nervousness moving through me. “Zeke…”

“What we saw was in the middle of the night, Sage. It’s the middle of the day. Otherwise, I wouldn’t’ve come here. We’re safe.”

Sage grabs my arm and squeezes. She has a painfully strong grip. “What if that was a trick to get us out in the open?”

I carefully remove her hand and hold it in mine. “We’re safe, Sage,” I assure her. “Abby wasn’t in that message.” I give her hand a last squeeze and move to the center of the clearing, the wards, and Ally’s shield shimmering in the sunlight; thankfully, no humans can see them. I draw on my barrier allowing it to coat my skin. “Unfortunately, Sage, this situation is escalating quickly and you’re going to have to learn fast on how to use your ability, mine, and any of yours that hasn’t surfaced