Chapter 4: Shadows in the Stars

The next morning, Luna Sinclair sat at a small café near the city's historic district, her fingers wrapped around a warm cup of coffee. The café was quiet, the morning rush having already passed, leaving only a few customers scattered around. She had barely slept the night before, her mind racing with everything she had learned. The Celestial Order. Her parents' disappearance. The mysterious constellation that had appeared to her.

She was supposed to meet Ethan here, but she had arrived early. Part of her didn't want to be alone with her thoughts, but another part of her needed this moment—to breathe, to process.

The bell above the café door jingled, and Luna glanced up just in time to see Ethan Blackwood step inside. He was wearing a dark coat, his tall frame commanding attention even in the soft morning light. His gaze found hers instantly, and he made his way over, sliding into the seat across from her.

"You look tired," he said, studying her face. "Did you sleep at all?"

Luna shook her head. "Not much." She hesitated, then leaned forward. "Ethan, I saw something last night. A constellation I've never seen before. It wasn't in any of my books, and I swear, it was calling to me."

Ethan's expression darkened slightly, his fingers tapping against the wooden table. "Describe it to me."

Luna pulled out her notebook, flipping to the page where she had hastily sketched the constellation before coming here. She turned it around for him to see.

Ethan inhaled sharply. For a moment, he didn't say anything. Then, very slowly, he reached into his coat and pulled out a worn, leather-bound book. He flipped through the pages until he found what he was looking for, then turned it toward Luna.

It was the same constellation.

Luna felt a chill run down her spine. "What is this?" she asked.

Ethan's voice was quiet but firm. "It's called the Forgotten Star. It's a celestial anomaly that only appears under extremely rare conditions. According to ancient records, it signals a shift in fate—a moment when destiny itself can be rewritten."

Luna swallowed hard. "And why is it appearing to me?"

Ethan closed the book, leaning closer. "Because you're part of it, Luna. This isn't just about your parents anymore. This is about you. You were meant to see it."

Luna's pulse quickened. "So what does it mean? What am I supposed to do?"

Ethan hesitated. "That's the part I'm still trying to figure out. But one thing is certain—the Celestial Order won't ignore this. If they know you've seen the Forgotten Star, they'll come for you."

A heavy silence hung between them. Luna could feel the weight of his words pressing down on her. She had spent her whole life looking for answers, and now that she was finally getting them, the reality was far more terrifying than she had imagined.

"What do they want?" she asked finally.

Ethan's jaw tightened. "Control. They believe that by manipulating celestial energy, they can alter fate itself. If they've been tracking the Forgotten Star, they'll want to use it. And if they find out that you've connected with it…"

Luna didn't need him to finish the sentence. She already knew.

She was a target now.

Ethan exhaled, running a hand through his dark hair. "Luna, you need to be careful. We don't know how much they already know about you. But if they suspect anything, they won't hesitate to act."

Luna set her coffee down, her hands steady despite the anxiety creeping up her spine. "Then we get to them first," she said, her voice firm.

Ethan raised an eyebrow. "You want to go after them?"

"I want to find out the truth," Luna corrected. "If they have information about my parents, I need to know. If they're trying to use this power, I need to stop them." She met Ethan's gaze head-on. "I won't sit back and wait for them to come to me."

A flicker of admiration crossed Ethan's face. "Alright," he said. "Then we start tonight."

Luna's heart pounded. "Where?"

Ethan's lips curled into a knowing smirk. "There's a gathering tonight—an exclusive event held by people associated with the Order. It's invitation-only. But I have a way in."

Luna felt a mix of anticipation and nerves. "What kind of event?"

"A masquerade," Ethan replied, his green eyes gleaming. "The Celestial Order hosts them every few months for their most elite members. It's one of the few times they gather in one place."

Luna's breath caught. A masquerade. A room full of powerful people, secrets hiding behind masks. If there was ever a place to gather information, it was there.

Ethan studied her carefully. "Are you sure you're ready for this?"

Luna lifted her chin. "I have to be."

Ethan nodded, a small smile playing on his lips. "Then I guess we need to find you a mask."