Under the Burning Stars by Carrigan Richards

tell anyone. “We don’t have any.”
    “Ava,” Link called as she walked out of the room.
    She ignored him and stormed out through the conservatory.
    “Ava, listen—.”
    She whirled around. “Who all did you tell, Link?”
    “Look, Nicole wanted to know. Gabriel almost forced it out of me. He wanted to know what we’ve been up to lately.”
    “And you told him?”
    “I had to.”
    “Why? Did he threaten to hurt you or something?”
    Gabriel came up behind Link. “No, because what you’re about to do is dangerous and you’re all too naïve to go alone.”
    Ava didn’t know why, but a small part of her hurt when he called her naïve.
    “Look. ” He stepped closer with Nicole and Jeremy behind him. “I know you all want to find answers, and I’ll help you, but you can’t just go do these things on your own.”
    “What’s the danger if all of the Cimmerians are dead or locked up? ” Ava asked. “That’s what the Elders say. That everything is fine. But they don’t have nightmares every night about their mother who could have been a Cimmerian or get a drink poured on them just for wanting to enjoy an evening.” She felt her cheeks warm and she swore she saw a glimpse of pity in Gabriel’s eyes.
    He held his hands up in surrender. “It’s just a precaution. Your anger could land you in serious trouble. If you cause any problems at the Cruciari, they won’t hesitate to throw you in a cell.”
    “So what is this? Are you here to stop us? Tell the Elders? We’ve already planned this out and are well aware of the dangers.”
    Gabriel sighed. His crystal blue eyes held a hard look. “I’m not here to tell the Elders. I’m here to help you. You can trust me.”
    “Why are you helping us?”
    “Personally, I think you’re wasting your time. But if I know you all, you’ll just figure out a way to go without someone who knows a thing or two about the Cruciari and you can’t afford that. So you might as well take my offer now or I will warn the Elders of your scheme.”
    “What makes you such an expert?” Ava asked.
    “Because I’ve been there several times. Do you really want to stand here and argue or do you want to go?”
    “Let’s go.” Nicole pushed past Gabriel and Ava toward the woods.
    Ava stared defiantly at Gabriel until she felt a hand on her arm.
    “Come on, Ava. ” Jeremy slightly tugged on her. “Let’s go.”
    Link and Nicole led the way, and while it was supposed to have been just Link and Ava, she was secretly glad that more came. She trusted Gabriel and knew he wouldn’t rat them out, but part of her wondered why he seemed adamant about going. Was it really to protect them?
    “Why can’t you teleport us?” Link asked Gabriel.
    “I will once we get out of eyeshot of the Manor.”
    “Would they ask why you teleported?” Ava asked.
    “Probably.”
    “Why? Aren’t you free to go wherever you want?”
    “Yes, but Aaron worries.”
    Ava halted. “About what? Is there something you aren’t telling us?”
    The rest of them stopped and looked back at them.
    Gabriel glanced at everyone before his eyes landed on Ava. “Aaron has his reasons.”
    She crossed her arms in front of her chest. “That’s not an answer.”
    “It’s the only one I can give right now.”
    Ava wanted to press further, but the pleading look in Gabriel’s eyes made her decide against it. She knew something was going on, but she let it go for now.
    “How ar e you and Peter,” Jeremy asked.
    Ava shrugged. “We’re good, but h e’s been struggling with everything. And it doesn’t help that the Ephemerals terrorize us.”
    “I’m sorry. What were you talking about when you mentioned your mom?”
    She didn’t want to talk about it, but because it was Jeremy, she would. “I was told by a Percipient that she was a Cimmerian. That’s why I’m going today. I’m hoping Xavier or someone can tell me who murdered her and if she was a dark Enchanter.”
    Jeremy gave a dubious look. “Maybe.