The Star Child (The Star Child Series) by Stephanie Keyes Page B

this person out of the house. Yet there was another part, the lonely part, which screamed at me to do whatever Calienta asked, without question.
    “I know that you remember me.”
    I stared at her, this mystery girl who’d been a part of my life for so long. Suddenly I was tired and didn’t want to argue. It unnerved me to know that I wanted to stay with her; I’d been wrong. I loathed being in Gran’s house alone, with only memories for company. “How could I ever have forgotten you?”
    Though my voice was soft and gentle, my words had a powerful effect on the young woman in front of me. She blushed crimson and glanced down to hide her face. “Please come with me.”
    Slowly, I placed my hand in hers. It was warm, as in my memory. “Where are we going?”
    “I need to show you. Otherwise, you will think I am a hallucination again.”
    “I suppose that’s true.”
    She didn’t answer me, but she smiled back as she handed me a rough-looking knife with a black handle. “Put this in your pocket.”
    “Are you anticipating that I’ll have to stab someone on the trip?” I wasn’t the kind of guy who routinely carried weapons around. More often than not, I could be a bit uncoordinated.
    “I hope it does not come to that.” And before I could register that remark, I found myself running out into the night with her.
    “Where are we going?”
    We reached the steps that led down the cliff face. A dog howled in the night, setting an ominous tone for our journey. Calienta glanced at me for a moment but didn’t answer as she turned back to the direction in which we were heading. She pulled me close to her.
    My hand burned where she held it and the air around us was thick with tension; that was how aware I was of her physically. A storm brewed between us.
    There were no outside lights on, as I’d forgotten to turn them on. Home ownership was a new responsibility for me. To make matters worse, it started to rain, the long grass becoming slick and damp.
    My clothes were getting soaked; Calienta, on the other hand, was completely dry. She started down the steps using the light to guide her. I followed. Where did she get a lantern?
    This very question was just about to pass my lips when I lost my footing on the stairs. Falling, I slammed my elbow into the aged wood. It burned instantly, which told me that it was probably cut or possibly broken. Hesitantly, I stood up, taking care not to use my right arm for fear I’d cry out.
    Though it seemed as though the entire staircase shook when I fell, it was now stable. We were able to make it safely to the land below. I relaxed a little then, but not much. It was almost high tide, and the waves were going to envelop us.
    “What’re you doing? Are you trying to drown us both?” The waves rushed in and beat against my damaged arm.
    She shook her head but didn’t speak, and I followed her toward a narrow opening in the rock. Calienta jumped lithely through the entrance with remarkable agility. Blinking, I remained in place, but she turned and waited for me, extending a firm hand to practically pull me atop the rock.
    When I reached the top, she carefully touched my injured arm. At first, the warmth was pleasant and seemed to soothe the pain I was feeling after my swim in the cold sea. Suddenly it was too warm, hot even, and I cried out as my arm began to burn and I jerked it away. The heat subsided after a moment. With it went any pain. It was healed.
    Calienta smiled. “Sorry for the burning sensation, but any time we try to correct the past there is a price.”
    “What are you?” She wasn’t my age, that was certain, and I was sure she wasn’t human. No one could age that fast.
    “In time.” She pulled on my hand again and we started to walk toward a tiny crevice. Closer inspection revealed that the opening was actually quite large, though I’d never have noticed it if it hadn’t been pointed out to me. Pulling myself up on top of a neighboring rock, I entered the