The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim (ebook reader with highlighter .txt) 📕

hem of his black T-shirt. “And what exactly would she have to do? To initiate into the clan?”

I glare at Emmett, but he avoids my gaze. I think of Hattie’s initiation and how long she had to train for it. There’s no way I’d be able to prepare for one in a short amount of time. Especially without a Gi.

“When we were excommunicated, we lost our ability to initiate our witches in the traditional way,” Sora says. “But we have adapted. In fact, with our biochip discovery, we’ve found that a successful initiation isn’t about the magic—we already have that. What we’re looking for is commitment and loyalty.”

“Okay…” I say, feeling uneasy. “And what does that mean?”

“It means that, if you were to accept the challenge, you would agree to have a biochip inserted into your wrist. Then we will give you a specific task of our choosing. If we deem your conduct in the task worthy of initiation, we will invite you to pledge your allegiance to the Horangi clan. If you accept, you will leave your old clan behind and officially become a scholar—for now, and for all time.”

As Sora’s words sink in, I touch my wrist. I think of Mina and Yoon. And for a moment, I admit I am tempted by the prospect. In another life, I could have been raised in this clan. And having seen Sora, Austin, and Taeyo wield the sacred elements, I am curious about my own potential. For once, I could have magic at my fingertips. I could belong.

But then I remember who I am. I think of the parents who raised me, and the sister who put herself at risk so I could earn my gift. I recall our clinic, my healer clan, and the promise the goddess made to turn me into a Gom when I complete my job. I remember where my loyalties lie.

I am not a Horangi, despite what my blood may say.

“No way,” I say. “Nope, never, won’t do it. Not in a million years. I know who I am. And I am not one of you.”

Taeyo’s face falls, but Sora simply nods. “We may be firm, but we are fair. If that is your wish, we will respect it.”

IT’S ONLY BEEN TWENTY-FOUR HOURS since the summoning spell went south, but it feels like years have passed since this madness started. I am so tired.

Sora lets us sleep in the dorms for the night so Emmett and I can recharge before we go off on our own. And I’m grateful for it. I still don’t trust her, but when the night passes without a hitch, I do start to wonder if there’s some truth to her stories. If they really were the dangerous and power-crazed people I was told they were, wouldn’t they try to keep us hostage and use us to get back at the council or something?

The bed is super comfortable, but my sleep is plagued by nightmares, and I toss and turn all night. In some, I’m lost and looking for my family, but I have no facial features, so no one knows who I am. In others, my parents find me, but they don’t want me anymore. I wake several times hiccuping and drenched in sweat. I do eventually find sleep, but it feels like only five sweet minutes before it’s morning and we have to get up.

As Emmett and I walk to the campus HQ to find Sora, I consider our options. There’s only one day left before, as I agreed, Emmett will get the adults involved. But a part of me wonders if we should go to them sooner. They won’t understand why we had to seek out the Horangi clan, but at least we learned about the prophecy. Maybe my parents and Auntie Okja will know what we should do next? Then again, if what Sora said was true, the council might not be as trustworthy as I once thought….

Our farewell to the scholars is short—Taeyo doesn’t even show up. Sora offers us two black-market boba teas before seeing us off. She looks a little disappointed, but she doesn’t try to convince me to stay.

When Emmett and I rematerialize at the zoo, I take a nervous glance at my necklace. A quarter of Hattie’s heart has now shriveled, and I grip the vial hard. At this rate, we’re going to run out of time in two days. Maybe less.

“I don’t see why you couldn’t at least consider taking up Sora’s offer,” Emmett says, as we start walking away from the tiger enclosure. “I mean, beggars can’t be choosers, and we’re not exactly flush with leads.”

Heat alights in my gut and I feel like shouting at him, Don’t you understand? It doesn’t work like that! You can’t just choose a new family like choosing a new outfit. I’m a Gom. My entire family are healers. I can’t just betray them and join another clan. You can’t be both!

But of course, I keep my mouth shut. After everything I’ve put Emmett through, who am I to talk? Instead, I bite my tongue and rack my brain trying to figure out what to do next.

Emmett reads my mind. “So where do we go now?” He studies me, then looks down at my empty hands. “Wait, where’s Boris? I thought you had him!”

The last time I saw the dragon scooter was last night, lying next to my bed in the dorm. I groan loudly. “I must have totally forgotten him this morning. There was just so much on my mind….”

“How are we gonna get anywhere now?” Emmett moans. “And just when I was starting to bond with the dude…”

“Looking for something?” says a voice from behind us.

I get such a fright, I almost trip over my own feet. We swivel around to see Taeyo materializing from out of nowhere. He’s wearing yellow chinos, a bright pink shirt, and a purple blazer. Like yesterday, he’s sporting a bow