When Stars Fall(The Last Star trilogy #3)

Lyra Gemini

I had waited for this day in fear. The pain was excruciating and my bones felt as if they were breaking, organs and skin stretching. Splitting. Splitting into two. Splitting into another body. My throat was sore from screaming, the right side of my body had grown a tumor, from the top of my head-hidden my hair-down to my foot. Since this morning I had felt queasy and fatigued, my bones ached terribly. The clothes I was wearing were now ripped from one side.

I had known that it would happen today. My thoughts and memories swirled in my head, making me dizzy and blind. I vomited once or twice. Someone was rubbing my back but I couldn’t tell who it was. I couldn’t focus on anything. My body leaned onto my right side. I screamed as I realized that another body had grown out but still joined with mine. It moved more and more until I felt the skin break apart, freeing her from me.

My Sign burned and crawled on my skin. I could feel it sizzling on my flesh, it sent pain up my arm, coursing through my entire body. A voice echoed in my ears, calling my name. I held my head in my hands, ripping out my hair and screaming as more tears streamed down my face.

When my vision finally came into focus I saw a girl standing in front of me. My height. My hands. My hair. My eyes. My face. She didn’t have my clothes, or any clothes. I too was half clothed. I wiped my chin and eyes, squinting at her. My gaze fell on my wrist, on my Sign. It used to be twins, now it was just one line. Now, it looked like the number one in Roman. The other half was with my other half. I screamed and rubbed my wrist. Amara held me and whispered in my ear but I couldn’t decipher any sentence. Phoenix handed Lyla some clothes to cover herself. I couldn’t stop the tears, my breathing fastened and I pulled out more of my hair. Shaking, I got to my feet and threw myself at Lyla. I punched her, kicked and dug my nails into her flesh. She fought back, ten times stronger than me, growling.

“Stop it, both of you!” That voice belonged to Hellen. Nice of her to show up. She stood in the corner, shocked.

“Put some clothes on her,” she told, pointing at Lyla. Hellen marched out, clutching her chest and shuddering with fear.

“Come here, Lyla. I’ll help you,” Phoenix said. Lyla had a strict expression and I knew that she was physically and emotionally stronger than me. My complete opposite. Though Amara tried to keep me away from her I had the undenying urge to take a glance at her once. I turned on my heel, still shivering. I gasped at her.

It was like looking in a mirror. Looking at my reflection. Looking at my exact statue. Looking at my other half, at my twin.