STARLIGHT UNBOUND by Deus Ex Machina - HTML preview

STARLIGHT UNBOUND

She grinned, a rare lightness in her expression. “It is. But you? You’re the biggest mystery I’ve come across yet.”

Lucien hesitated, thrown off by the honesty in her tone.

He didn’t know how to respond.

So instead, he looked back at the empty street. “You think we’ll get there? To something better? ”

“I don’t know.” She paused. “But I think you believe we can. And for now … that’s enough.”

Something about the way she said it made Lucien want to believe it too —

Not just in the fight. But in himself.

Lyra stubbed out her cigarette against the wall, breaking the moment with a smirk. “We should get back before Harun starts another debate. You know how he gets. ”

Lucien nodded, taking one last drag before flicking his cigarette away. “Don’t want to miss that.”

They pushed off the wall and disappeared back inside.

Behind them, the city remained still.

For now.

***

Aarik and Selene stood near the far end of the room, reviewing city schematics on a tablet. Corin sat with his arms crossed, his expression as stormy as ever.

As soon as they entered, all eyes turned to them.

Harun smirked. “Oh, good. You’re back. Did the stars finally align out there? ”

Lyra shot him a flat look. “Harun, do us all a favor and focus for five minutes.”

He held up his hands in mock surrender, but the grin didn’t fade.

Lucien pulled out a chair and sat, scanning the group. “Where are we at?”

Selene set down the tablet, her tone measured. “We’ve narrowed it down to the essentials. But there ’s still disagreement over the details.”

Lyra perched on the edge of the table, addressing the group.

“We all agree on the sector. It has to be on the edge of the city, away from the Order’s direct control. That’s non-negotiable.”

Aarik nodded. “It gives us room to grow, and keeps them from watching too closely. But we’ll need free passage between sectors. If they isolate us, we’re done before we even start. ”

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