When Stars Fall(The Last Star trilogy #3)

Lydia Hydra

I was in Mother’s parlour when we heard the sirens alarming through the halls. We rushed down the emergency escape, down to the bunkers. Keegan was already there with his nurse, he clutched his ball and cried quietly. I embraced him instantly. Mother looked as if the air around her was irritating her. She fiddled with her necklace, muttering under her breath. Father and Alec weren’t here yet. There were no maids except the nurse but she was praying so I got bottles of water for the three of us. Mother swatted me away.

She had been secretive lately. Glancing over her shoulder as she read and wrote her letters, making sure she was alone while she did her work or Stargazed. I never saw her at tea time, I caught her coming upstairs from the dungeons yesterday, a triumphant smile on her face and her tiara had vanished from her head, strands of bleached hair sticking out.

“Did someone steal your tiara?” I had asked, worried.

“Hmm?” she said, full lips lined with deep red. “No. Of course not.”

She walked and giggled like she was drunk but she hadn’t had any alcohol. She never drank that much in public. I tried to shake away my thoughts. Who was she meeting in the dungeons in the evening? We didn’t have any important prisoners, not that I knew of. I was always too afraid to go down there.

The dungeon is no place for a princess, Mother had always said.

What was a queen doing there, then? I wondered. I had glued myself to her since then but she remained in her suite, skipping dinner and acting smug.

I handed keegan over to his nurse. Mother sat in the corner, lost in thought.

“Mother.” I startled her, sitting at her feet with my head on her knee. Like I did when I was a child. “What do I do about Alec and Father?”

She sighed. “What shall I do about them? They’ll be here if they wish to be here.”

“But what if-” She waved a dismissive hand in the air. I stood, shaking with fear as the gunshots got louder. “If they are not present here in the next few moments I will go up and search them myself.”

Mother growled and waved another hand, swatting me away. She had always been like this. Strict, stern and intimidating. Sometimes I thought that even father was terrified of her.

“Lyd,” Keegan said quietly, tugging my lace sleeve. I had to get down to match his height. “Where is Alec and Father?”

I put on a smile for my little brother. “They’re coming.” He lowered his gaze and his head snapped to the side.

“What does that door for?” he asked, pointing at the wall where Mother sat. I followed his gaze.

“Yes.” I stood. “What does that door lead to?”

Mother sat up, smirking creepily. “The dungeons,” she answered. I gasped.

“Why does that lead to the dungeons?”

“Because that’s how I designed it.”

She put her palm over her right wrist, closing her eyes. Something glowed on her skin. Her emerald irises got darker, almost obsidian.

“The time has come,” she spoke in a monotone.

“Mother, time for what?” I asked. “The time has come for what?”

She faced me with eyes not blinking. “My time,” she said, smiling. “Our time.”

She dug her fingers into the sides of the steel door, opening it with a creak. “Don’t follow me and don’t you dare tell your Father about this.” Before I could say something she disappeared behind the door. Keegan’s nurse prayed with her hands clasped in lap. Though Keegan was old enough, Mother insisted that a nanny supervise him. He complained but it’s not like he could say no to the queen, much less his mother.

Mother had a Hydra Sign on her right wrist and a Serpens on her left. She had activated her Hydra Sign but I didn’t feel it, maybe she was signalling Father.

I wished that there were books in the bunker. I needed some sort of distraction after Keegan closed his eyes and winced through the sound of gunfire. The nurse sobbed and prayed silently, in every language that I knew. Greek, Latin and Arabic. The ancient and new versions of those three. My eyes were fixated on the wall clock. I got to my feet, ready to go out and see the hazard.

“I’ll be right back,” I whispered, my words hanging in the air. I carefully closed the door behind me, leading to the parlour. It was difficult to run in my shoes, I debated taking them off as I approached the conference hall where Father and Alec were. My hand on the door knob but I stopped as I heard footsteps and whispering.

“This way, this way,” a female’s voice said. It came from down the hall and I thought I had heard it somewhere before. I heard hissing and shuddered. I opened the door of the conference hall and locked it behind me. As I turned a dozen guards aimed at me.

I held up my hands in defense and they lowered their guns, ducking their heads as an apology. Father and Alec were sitting at the front of the round table with two guards behind them.

“Why are you not in the bunker?” Alec questioned, worried.

“I came to get you both,” I told as I approached.

“That’s not your job, Lydia.” Father’s voice echoed, his eyes fixed on the door with a hand on his chin.

“It’s not safe here. What are you two waiting for?”

“Father says not to flee. Fleeing is for cowards.” Alec said quietly. “We’re waiting for Annabelle.”

I looked at him in confusion. “How do you know she’s coming here? How do you know she won’t target you?”

“We have our own defences.”

Annabelle would attempt to slit all of our throats after we took Capricorn and Virgo. We took Annabelle’s father and grandfather, not to mention her best friend. I had protested when it had come to both Constellations but as usual no one listened to a princess.

“Mother’s in the dungeons,” I blurted. Father’s head snapped towards me. Alec stood.

“Why is she-”

I cut him off. “I don’t know. She was acting...strange. She went to the dungeons through a door in the bunker.”

“There is no door that leads to the dungeons in that bunker,” Alec reminded.

“I thought so too.”

“Why would she go down there?” Father wondered. Beads of sweat glistened on his forehead and he shivered with fear. He was overprotective about Mother.

“I’ll send someone down there to check on her.” Father squared his shoulders.

“Are you coming down with me?” I asked them both.

The doors opened once more. Mother stood in the door frame, she was hiding something behind her back, a smug look on her face. Her smile beamed and there was venom in her dark eyes.

“Mother,” I breathed.

She walked slowly towards us. “I have a surprise for you all.”

“Dear, this is not the time for surprises,” Father said.

Mother huffed. “Follow me,” she announced to the guards. “All of you,” she added over her shoulder. Father followed her without hesitation and Alec had to obey Father.

Mother led us upstairs. It took me a while to realize that she was taking us to the roof. We only went there when we had to take Constellations back. I had tried to convince Father that we should stop because the population was dropping and we would go extinct.

He glared at me. Mother scolded me later for saying that.

“Do not say that out loud, young lady!” Father boomed.

“It’s an open secret,” the words flowed out of me.

“Sophie,” he called. Mother stepped forward. “Take care of her.”

I had gotten a separate lecture from Alec that day.

Just stay silent and do as you’re told. That was hammered into my head since birth.

Act like a princess.

Don’t talk unless it’s absolutely necessary.

Stay silent.

Do as you’re told.

Alec nudged me, snapping me out of my trance. We were gathered outside the door of the rooftop.

“Where’s Keegan?” Father wondered, looking around.

“He’s in the bunker, he’s safe,” I told.

“That’s good,” Mother said. We followed her onto the elegant roof.

Stargazer Lilies bloomed on every bush, the floor was black marble. The guards lined up against the wall, ready to fire in any direction. the string of lights dangling from the plants and the walls were switched off, usually Mother liked to keep them turned on. The scarlet sky and no lighting made the roof dark and gloomy.

“I’m sure you’re wondering why I’ve brought you here,” Mother said, walking over to the astronomical compendium. I read about it’s history. Normally it was a small sized device for making astronomical calculations but my great-great grandfather had a large one designed and placed on the roof,fixed on top of a table. It was circular and crafted from gold, symbols engraved on it. I saw something moving in Mother’s shadow, she had her hand behind her back. I realized she was holding a dagger, golden blade and words in Greek carved into it, long enough to pass for a sword. A hydra was grafted into it’s handle, a gift from Father. I had seen that dagger before but Mother refused to use it. It’s unlady-like, she always said.

Mother laughed quietly while running the blade over the astronomical compendium.

“Mother, what are you doing?” Alec asked.

Something crawled out of the shadows, an insect. Another followed, then another. I couldn’t decipher it’s figure since it was camouflaged on the obsidian marble.

“What is that?” Father wondered, staring at the floor.

“It’s...” Alec squinted at the floor, his expression faltered as he realized what creatures were crawling on their eight legs. “It’s a scorpion.”

“Three scorpions,” I corrected. A shiver ran up my spine at the sound of multiple legs clicking against marble.

“Eww,” I said. “I hate insects.”

“Actually, princess,” a new voice started, female and familiar. It came from behind Mother, slowly stepping forward. The scorpions ran to the figure. Cloaked, a hood over her face. “Scorpions are neither reptiles or insects. They’re arachnids.”

Alec gasped. “I know that voice.”

The figure snorted. “Incase the scorpions didn’t already give it away...” She took off her hood, revealing her round face with full lips and dark brown hair straight as a line. I had always been annoyed by her. Not only did she steal all the attention, making Mother scold me for not being as good as her, she had...a history with Alec that I did not approve of. I thought even Mother and Father knew about it but didn’t protest.

“McKenna Scorpio,” I spat. She smirked. She had something heavy in her hand, it was Mother’s tiara, she lifted her hands and placed it on her head. Her scorpions crawled all over her. Like Rasal had slithered all over Annabelle.

“Dear, what is she doing here?” Father questioned strictly.

“Hmm...” Mother thought. “Only Keegan is missing from this...” Her smile grew wider. “This family reunion.”

My eyes widened. “Excuse me?”

“What are you talking about?” Father said, pain in his voice.

“Jaxon, you were so desperate for a wife after your first one left you, betrayed you,” Mother started, venom dripping from her tone. I gasped, Alec was just as confused. “I was triggered by your predicament. I betrayed my own family for this, for you but I had a plan that I wanted to put in motion once the time was right. I used to live in Scorpius but after that Hydrus woman left you I knew I had to make my way into your household, somehow.”

“I even raised your son as my own.” She turned towards Alec. “I left my daughter.” She pointed her chin to McKenna.

“You never told me about this!” Father yelled.

“It was my secret for a long time,” Mother continued. “I was still in contact with McKenna, we had a plan to overthrow you.”

“I don’t believe you,” Father breathed.

“I have proof,” McKenna spoke, rolling up her sleeve. McKenna didn’t have her Scorpio Sign on her wrist, it was now branded on her forehead, hidden by her bangs slightly. She had been blessed by her Constellation. Her celestial power had been intensified. McKenna rubbed her wrist, paste coming off, until her Serpens’ Sign showed.

“She’s my blood,” Mother added.

“I feel sick,” Alec announced. McKenna cackled. Alec glared at her. “You knew, all this time and you...” Alec breathed heavily, he looked like he was about to throw up.

My insides twisted.

“Then who is?” he asked.

“Hydrus,” Father spoke. We had been told that the heirs of that Constellation had died out but the capital city was named after them. But I wasn’t so sure about that anymore.

“It was a coincidence that you didn’t inherit Hydrus from your Mother but I kept her a secret because she wanted me to.” Father’s voice was hoarse, his eyes glistened. “She ran away to join the rebellion. I lied to you about your biological mother. Sophie is only Lydia and Keegan’s mother.” He glared at McKenna. “Abruptly, hers too. I was not aware of that.”

Mother huffed. “I’m taking over, Jaxon,” she said.

“What about our children?” father said, near tears.

“Alec is not mine,” she started. “And I almost didn’t even raise Lydia and Keegan. I want my eldest daughter on the throne.”

“Mother,” I spoke up.

“Silence!” she scolded. I winced at her voice. McKenna laughed quietly.

“But Mother,” McKenna started. “You said I could have that one.” She pointed a lazy finger at Alec.

“I am disgusted by you and myself,” Alec spat.

“Oh, relax,” she demanded, trodding over to Alec.

“Stay away from me,” Alec yelled, stepping back.

“I’m not related to you, you don’t have to act like that,” she told.

Alec’s disbelief was just as much as mine. He may still consider Mother his mother , that’s why he was sick of this situation. The door burst open. Annabelle and another figure, an old woman with emerald eyes and a mess of grey hair. Rasal hissed at their side. Both dressed in baggy clothes, shades of brown and beige.

Father gasped, eyes widened. The old woman had venom in her eyes but softened when she turned to Alec. “Hellen,” Father said. Annabelle blocked Father, she stood in front of him, a gun in hand. She aimed it at his forehead.

“Please, no!” I begged. “Spare him.”

“Did he spare anyone?” she challenged. She had a point but I had to try. “I want my revenge. It may not bring anyone back but I want him gone before he can do this to anyone else.”

I gathered up some courage and snatched the gun from her, taking even myself by surprise. I had no idea how to even hold the weapon but at least she was unarmed. I glanced at Alec, the old woman was speaking with him, crying.

Annabelle snorted at me. “Any last words, Jaxon?” She pulled out a knife with a long blade, strapped to her belt.

Father’s lip quivered, eyes glistening. His expression changed, as though he just remembered something. He smirked wickedly. “Go ahead,” he prompted.

“Gladly.” Annabelle pushed me, I fell to the ground, sobbing. She swung the dagger and ran it through Father’s neck. I screamed in protest. His head rolled around in blood. Oddly, his body stood in front of Annabelle, green acid where his head had been chopped off. Alec approached Annabelle and slapped her, she swung the blade and cut his face.

“Stop!” the old woman yelled. “You promised you wouldn’t harm him.”

“You might want to teach him some manners too,” Annabelle spat.

“Father?” Alec shook Father’s body. The acid flowed it’s mist, creating three long whisps.

“What’s happening?” I got to my feet. Mother glared at Annabelle.

“You had to cut his throat off?” she spat. “Now you have to deal with two more.”

Annabelle cursed and I wiped away my tears, the gun fell to the ground.

Two heads grew from where Father’s head used to be. The necks were scaly green, like reptiles, they had Father’s head with fangs and red lips, snake-like eyes.

They spoke in unison. “Children these days are so naive.” The two heads cackled. Annabelle striked again, chopping off the two heads.

“No!” Hellen-the old woman-warned.

“You’ll only make it worse, idiot,” McKenna shot. Annabelle punched McKenna, sending her toppling over the astronomical compendia.

“I’ve waited years to do that!” Annabelle cheered.

“Stay away from her,” Alec argued with Annabelle.

“You stay away from me,” she snapped. McKenna’s scorpions and Rasal were fighting and McKenna rubbed her twisted ankle.

All of our eyes were fixed on Father’s body. Two heads would grow where one would be cut off.

Now four heads with the neck of a reptile and my father’s face sprung from the body. They hissed, a tongue as thin as Rasal’s, red and long spit at us. I closed my eyes and rested my head on Alec’s shoulders, sobbing into him. Father unbuttoned his clothes and threw them to the floor. His skin turned green and scaly, matching Rasal’s.

“We have to burn him,” Hellen told.

“You can do whatever you want with him,” Mother said, walking over to McKenna.

“She’s right,” Alec started. “You have to burn his nerves so they won’t regrow.”

“No! You can’t burn Father!” I cried. As usual I was ignored. The three continued their conversation. “Father can’t hurt anyone anymore. You should just leave him be.”

“We can’t,” Hellen snapped. “He’s even more dangerous now.”

“Thanks to Virgo,” McKenna spat. The holy animals were still battling, scorpions against one large serpent. Rasal was winning but the scorpions were annoying him, crawling all over his scales.

“Shut up,” Annabelle shot back.

“Are you really my mother?” Alec asked, his voice broke. Hellen put a hand on his cheek, she nodded.

“How touchy.” Mother and McKenna cackled.

“You left me, all these years-”

“Alec, now is not the time,” I told, eyeing Father. His head was dangling in the air, his naked skin truning to scales.

His plan is working.

Annabelle had a hand on her temple. “He’s turning into one,” she spoke.

“Huh?”

“Rasal says he’s turning into one,” she repeated.

“Turning into what?” Alec asked through his teeth. One of Father’s heads faced us both, his voice deep and hissing. “Into a hydra.”