Star Eater
Chapter Fiften

When Kai got home, he was happy. Hanging out with Link had been a blast and they’d already made plans to hang out again in a few days. He hummed as he entered the empty house. It was almost nine o'clock but his father was at a meeting. The housekeeper had left dinner in the fridge. Kai took it out, and put it on the counter.

“You need to drink more ammonia,” Akuma said, materializing in his shadow and interrupting his preparations. Kai rolled his eyes.

“I thought we agreed that that was a bad idea and I’d find an alternative when I got home. Which I will as soon as I eat something,” he said.

“The star is getting dim,” Akuma said. “Something is wrong.”

Kai wanted to argue. He didn't feel any different.

“Try phasing out,” Akuma said.

Inhaling with exaggerated patience, Kai phased out. For a few seconds nothing happened and he was about to point that out when he felt a shudder run though him. The phase wobbled. Kai immediately let it go.

“That is weird,” he said.

“Now do you see?” Akuma said. “You have to drink more ammonia.”

Kai did not want to puke white powder again. But Akuma insisted and Kai could tell he was worried. And that was the second time he’d rippled while phased out.

“Fine,” he said in a long-suffering whine. He left dinner on the table for later and went into the garage. There, he opened the bottle of ammonia, but he did pause before he drank.

“Am I going to vom again?” he asked.

The boy felt more than heard that Akuma suspected there would be white powder in his future. Great, Kai thought and chugged the gallon. At least he knew now not to throw it up in the sink. He estimated he had less than an hour before the vomiting began. He went searching for a container. He stole a large Tupperware from the kitchen and took it up to his room. There, he stripped and changed into pajamas.

Kai stuffed the tracksuit into his backpack. He didn’t want the housekeeper finding it. It was evidence of a past sleepwalk through a country club’s store. He’d take it back to his secret base tomorrow. With that done, he took the bath carpet out of bathroom and put the Tupperware in its place on the floor. Better to clean up tile than carpet, especially with an acidic substance.

Kneeling on the tile floor in front of the Tupperware, Kai waited. The demon sunk back into his body through his shadow and also waited. Kai’s stomach started heaving sooner this time. As soon as he felt a blast of nausea, Akuma’s icy fingers extended all the way up his throat, covering his esophagus, mouth, and lips. Then Kai vomited the white powder.

It was just as unpleasant the second time, but at least he had a moment to recover without the bathroom exploding. When Kai regained his breath and the sweating subsided, he sealed the Tupperware. He wrapped it in a plastic grocery bag and stored it in his bookbag. He didn't want the housekeeper finding it either and blowing up the house accidentally. He’d put that into his secret base tomorrow too. At some point, he was going to have to find out what it was.

Why does this stuff come up? he asked Akuma.

The demon shrugged. It’s made when the star eats the ammonia.

Maybe it’s a chemical reaction then? Kai hazarded. He hated chemistry. He considered having the powder sent out and analyzed, but then the police might link it to the fast food place and back to him. No, Kai thought. He needed to figure this out on his own.

It’s not enough, Akuma said, and he sounded more agitated. The star needs more.

Kai growled. What do you want from me? he demanded.

I don’t want anything. The star needs to be fed.

The star can wait, Kai snapped. Suddenly, Kai was starving and thirsty. He went down and finished making himself dinner. When he went back upstairs, he laid down to sleep.

Try not to land me miles away this time, he said to Akuma.

The demon didn't answer.

The next morning, Mason was quiet as they drove to school. Uncle Joseph sat across from him in the limo and Ava beside. Joseph had another meeting, one he was being close-mouthed about. Mason wasn’t sure if sharing the limo was a gesture to keep Mason close or simple convenience. The press core had been forbidden by a gag order from gathering around the school and taking pictures of Mason and Ava.

Despite that, it seemed Joseph’s rule for them being escorted was still in effect. Mason hadn’t gotten the keys to his car back yet. Then again, he was grateful. Joseph had not mentioned pulling Mason out of karate either. He knew that was coming. He was planning on ending it himself soon, but he would cherish it as long as possible.

The car pulled up next to the curb. Mason was just about to open the door when his uncle grabbed his forearm and squeezed hard. Surprised, he glanced over, wondering what he did wrong.

“Who is that boy?” Joseph asked.

Mason followed his finger to a small, Asian kid, probably a freshman, walking across the lawn from the bus stop. Mason had never seen him before in his life.

“I don’t know,” he said, bewildered.

“Ava, why don’t you go on in?” Joseph said, his voice brooking no argument. Not that Ava would argue. She nodded and slid out first, her earrings jingling with the movement. Joseph nodded and Mason closed the car door again.

“Listen to me, Mason,” Joseph said, his eyes burning into his nephew’s face. “You will befriend this boy. You will earn his trust, and you will find out everything about him. Do you understand?”

“Why is he so important?”

“You want to earn your place?” Joseph asked. “Then stop asking questions and do as you're told.”

Joseph slammed his will into Mason, taking the boy’s breath away. There had been no warning, no time to even consider defense. Mason’s vision swam and he thought he was bobbing his head idiotically. He felt a trickle of blood from his left ear. The pressure disappeared just as quickly and Mason sucked in a ragged breath.

“You can go now,” Joseph said.

The door opened and Mason slid out, scolding his shaking knees to hold him. He was barely clear of the car before the door slammed shut and the limo pulled away. Sᴇaʀ*ᴄh the FɪndNøvel.ɴet website on Gøøglᴇ to access chapters of novels early and in the highest quality.

Joseph wasn’t gentle, but to have such a reaction. Touching his ear, Mason winced. He pulled out a tissue and hastily wiped it away. Who the hell was this kid? Why was he important all of a sudden? Perhaps he’s the child of an FBI agent? Leverage of some sort?

All Mason knew was that he had to tread carefully. He was in the thick of it and no closer to finding the case. If the boy was important to Joseph, if he was in some way valuable to keeping Mason’s father in jail, Mason needed to know why. First, he needed to find the kid.

The instant the door closed behind Mason, Joseph picked up his phone and called Cole.

“Get me the yearbooks for Westlake Academy,” he ordered. “And I want that traffic cam footage by the time this meeting is done.” He hung up without waiting for a reply.

Joseph had spent the night researching. In the real world, Fair Island was desolate, a wasteland. Scientists found traces of radioactive isotopes from centuries ago. Even though the land was safe for habitation, no one lived there. As he drove, Joseph realized he needed to see this land. There were maps of the Plains back to their ancestral home. It was tricky, it would require time, but this was important—perhaps as important as researching Agent Matthews’ team. Because Joseph believed in preparation and precision but he also believed in backup plans.

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