The Last Fallen Star by Graci Kim (the mitten read aloud .TXT) 📗

Emmett isn’t allowed to enter—not since his dad had the council ban him from the grounds. Plus, after what happened at Hattie’s initiation, I won’t be welcome there, either.

Then there’s what Jennie said at Saturday School. The strongest Miru are guarding the entrance. Even if we managed to enter the temple, there’s no guarantee we could get past the protectors.

Emmett and I both grimace, and Cosette pauses, reading our expressions.

She pushes back her chair and rises to her feet. “I shouldn’t be doing this, but”—she puts her hand over her Space Pirates badge—“I promised I’d do everything in my power to help. So, if you want, I’ll glamour you both as Gumiho so you can get into the temple. The effect will only last an hour or so, though, so you’ll have to be quick. And once you’re there, I won’t be able to help you access the library. For that part, you’re on your own.”

I’m rendered speechless. I’d always kept my distance from Cosette because of her closeness with Jennie. But maybe I’d misjudged her. If she’s willing to go this far for Emmett—and all the while knowing I’m Horangi—then she’s definitely a good egg.

“Thanks, Captain CasetteTape99,” Emmett says, rising to his feet, too. “Space Pirates forever.”

“Space Pirates forever.” Cosette rubs her Gi against her skin. “Are you guys ready? This might feel kinda weird at first, but I promise it won’t hurt.” She closes her eyes and starts chanting.

Suddenly, my body feels strange. “Are there ants crawling on me?” I whine, scratching at every inch of my skin.

Emmett is squirming and scratching himself, too. Then he starts to change in front of my eyes. His body stretches like one of his homemade pizza doughs, being pulled from top to toe. His hair grows out and flows down his back in luscious dark curls, his legs lengthen, and his face starts to look like another I’ve seen before. Like, just before.

“Whoa, Em, you are the spitting image of Adeline!” I exclaim.

He looks down his body and then yelps. “Holy shirtballs, I have boobs!”

I stare at him in awe. Even his voice sounds just like Adeline’s.

He fumbles with his hands, not knowing where to put them. He reaches over his shoulder and feels for his backpack, which is still on his—well, Adeline’s—back. “Oh phew! My cookies are safe.”

He then turns to me and gasps. “Whoa, and you look just like Cosette!” His eyes shift between me and real Cosette, and he shakes his head. “So trippy. I’m seeing double.”

Cosette laughs. “Sorry. Hope you guys don’t mind looking like my sister and me. It’s much easier to glamour you into people I know well.”

Emmett and I shrug. “I’m not complaining,” Emmett says.

“Just don’t do anything I wouldn’t, okay?” She points to me. “Especially you.”

“Hey—” I start, but then we hear the chatter of other young astronomers coming from down the hall.

“C’mon,” says Cosette. “Time for you to get a move on.” She quickly sneaks us out the way we entered.

When we leave, Emmett gives her a Space Pirate salute while I check out my reflection in the glass door. I can’t help but stare. That girl definitely looks like Cosette, with Boris tucked under her arm.

I shake my head in disbelief and put my hand over Hattie’s heart vial.

Just hang on a bit longer, sis.

I promise I’ll bring you back home, if it’s the last thing I do.

DESPITE EMMETT’S RELUCTANCE, WE RIDE BORIS all the way to Koreatown. Every second counts when Hattie’s life is on the line, and he’s the fastest form of transport we’ve got. I’ll even admit that his wagging tail is starting to grow on me. He’s kind of cute—for a scooter, anyway.

I’m not sure what time it is, but as we approach the H-Mart, the streets are full of people grabbing their morning coffee on the way to work. I squirm inside, thinking of how worried Eomma and Appa must be by now…. I wonder if they even got any sleep.

The image of their tired, red-rimmed eyes lights a fire under my butt. We rush to the Korean fried chicken counter in the H-Mart, and I hold my breath as the Miru guard checks our gifted marks. Cosette’s glamour works like a charm, though, and as the symbols glow silver on our wrists, the protector gives us entry.

The temple lobby is lively today. Clan witches are busily going about their business, entering and exiting the elevators. By the number of people dressed in green robes, I’m guessing there’s some kind of event happening for the infusers today.

“Wow,” breathes Emmett, looking around. “I knew this place existed, but seeing it with my own eyes is something else. Can’t believe all this is inside that walk-in fridge.”

“You haven’t seen anything yet.” I feel a small flower of pride bloom in my chest as I show Emmett this part of my world. I want him to know how amazing it is, to understand why it’s so important for me to be accepted here.

I lead him to the elevators and we jump into the first one that opens. Thankfully, no one else is waiting to use it. We don’t know who might recognize Cosette and Adeline, so we need to keep our distance from everyone and keep moving. I press the button for the basement floor and hold my breath. I remember Auntie Okja once telling my eomma that it was fitting the gifted library was in the basement, since the Horangi clan were “beneath us.”

I jab the CLOSE DOOR button over and over again in a vain attempt to make the elevator shut faster. Eventually, the doors begin to slide together. I’m about to let out a sigh of relief when a loud (and frustratingly familiar) voice calls out.

“Hold that elevator!” A hand slides between the doors, which causes them to open.

I immediately groan and make a face at Emmett before hiding Boris behind my back. Two people walk in, and it’s just