Many months passed while I sat in solitude. It had been a long time since I had seen the village outside my home. Paranoid to my disappearance, the "house arrest" I was put under had lasted now nearly a year.

My Clusters had stopped visiting at my request, for they were getting too bold with their approaches which might have resulted in their deaths. I still hadn't left the comfort of my old room, still unwilling to sleep in the same room as White Star. Every so often he'd drag me into the room to "solidify" our bond, and I'd be kicked out right after.

Every day was hell on Earth, and I only had myself to blame.

While White Star boasted through the village about his obedient "wife", and how through his wits and charisma, had made me follow his every command and stolen my heart, the truth that laid within me was my heart had been beating for another.

Another that I could not have.

"Velvet Star"

I rose up from the floor, seeing the Chieftain standing in the doorway. His brows had furrowed together in a harsh stare, silently commanding me to rise from the floor.

"I want to speak with you on the topic of heirs," He said plainly, stepping inside the room and closing the door behind him. I felt the hairs on the back of my neck bristle.

"As you will soon start to bleed according to my maids, when you do, there will be a ritual performed every month during your ovulation to ensure the next heir will be a fruitful spawn. I myself have been preparing White Star for the moments to come in hopes of birthing a beautiful, healthy son to one day lead our prosperous land."

I felt a wave of nausea wash over me and burn my throat. Bedding White Star now was a hellish experience enough, but now there would be rituals for it?! And this time, I had the chance of pregnancy involved.

"I wanted to come in and make sure you understood the importance of this time," He stated, walking over to the window near me.

"If you are to bear a daughter, or a twin or triplet of any kind, they will be killed. We cannot have the weakness of a woman leading out great clan, nor can we be expected to deal with the jealousy and suspicion that may come with more than one heir. Do you understand this matter?" He asked, turning to me slowly.

I narrowed my eyes, trying to keep the little food I had in me down. Hearing that statement reminded me of the brothers I had never met who had been killed to motivate my birth. I didn't want to go through the same pain my mother had to go through. I refused it.

"I do," I answered plainly, keeping my eyes locked with his.

The Chieftain nodded, walking over to me slowly.

Out of nowhere, he lunged his arm outward and seized me by the top of my head, yanking me up a foot off the floor. I couldn't hold back the cry of pain, reaching up and grabbing his wrist to try and pry him off of me.

The Chieftain drew me close to his face, his breath casting over my eyes.

"If you try and pull that same act as your mother once did, I will tear out your lower intestines and feed you to the dogs, do you understand me?" He hissed, spitting in my face.

Confusion flooded my chest. My mother? What did she do?

"I-I, I don't-"

"When you were born, your mother tried to run away with you and your father. As the fools they were, we quickly apprehended them and we drug their sorry asses back. So when you do bear the heir of our Clan, you so much as think about running away with the baby, I will kill you myself. Do I make myself clear?" He explained, swinging me around.

Unable to nod my head, I hissed out a "yes" before he dropped me on the floor, stepping over me.

"Make sure you remember this talk. Burn it into your mind. You'll be expected at the dinner table once food is ready." He stepped outside of the room and closed the door behind him.

I slowly rose back up to my knees, massaging my head to try and relieve the pain. I slumped against the wall, feeling tears sting at the corners of my eyes.

Bear the heir. That's all I was good for. Parts of me wondered from time to time, how highly ranked I would be if I hadn't taken the mission to kill Astoria. While there was a small part of me that regretted it, wanting to restore the respect I once had here, I couldn't bring myself to believe it fully.

With that mission, my eyes were opened to the true horrors of my home and family. I was a heartless killer, who had slaughtered dozens of men, women, and children, all for money and glory.

I had thanked the Great Divines above me for making my heart beat for the young albino, or she would've been one of those poor, unfortunate souls to fall to my blade as well.

I pulled a small stool over to me and rose up, sitting down on it so that I could gaze out the window at the snowy forest ahead. I longed to step outside, to sink my feet into the frost and feel the cold bite my nose and fingers. To race through the woods as a wolf, the blood pulsing through my veins and thumping in my ears. The wind combing through my fur…

I missed the freedom I once had, and would do anything to regain it. But the only thing they'd want, is for me to kill.

And I told myself I'd never kill again unless in defense, or if the person truly had a soul as black as a night with no moon.

And that was a promise I needed to keep.

I felt something within my ignite. Remembering a book Astoria had lent me, I slowly stood up and locked the door to keep all others away. Something she had told me out the Great Divines, and how one could swear to them to either keep yourself from repeating a sin, or promising something for yourself or another.

There were many of these Great Divines, but the one we worshiped was Hoshi, The Great Divine of the Stars. He was the one who guided us on the nights we left to slaughter, in order to ensure our safe return. At least, that's what we were all told.

While I still did believe in him, but I had a feeling that by revealing Astoria to me that night under the stars was a calling. A calling to open my eyes to the truth, and stop the ones who had committed such heinous crimes in his name.

I quickly sat down and grabbed my head, trying to remember the pages of the book. There were so many of the Divines, and ways you could swear to them all. I had read Hoshi's page, I made a point to memorize it!

Now if only…

I opened my eyes.

I quickly stood up and closed the curtains, turned off the light, and dove for the closet. Inside were a few old candles, functional if not a bit smelly, and a few pieces of old clothing. t wouldn't be pretty, but it would be enough.

I brought everything to the center of the room, and unsheathed my knife from it's holder. I placed the candles in six different spots, and used my knife to carve into the wooden floor around them.

With it, I drew a pentagram. A six-pointed star, with symbols representing the moon, sun, sky, and other celestial bodies around it. Using a few pieces of dry wood, I was able to light the candles. My nose crinkled at the smell, but I pushed on. I placed the cloth at the center of the circle, and moved back to the closet to find a small, metal bowl.

I placed the bowl in the center and placed in it the cloth, a piece of the wooden floor below me, and I plucked out a piece of my hair.

I placed everything inside the bowl and put my knife back into my hand. I sighed heavily.

"O' Great Divines of the Heavens;

May you hear my voice and open the Gate to the Realm of the Gods.

With a piece of my belongings, my surroundings, my body and blood;

I beseech thee', and guide thee down to the Earthly crust below"

Using my knife, I placed it in my palm over the bowl. Bracing for the pain, I quickly drew the blade away and sliced my hand open. I grit my teeth as blood seeped from my hand and into the bowl. Once enough had been poured, and all the objected had been thoroughly drenched, I withdrew my hand and quickly tore off a piece of my shirt, wrapping it up to stop the bleeding.

I sighed heavily, taking one of the candles and dipping it into the bowl, lighting the objects ablaze.

"With this sacrifice I give, may you descend to the Earth below and hear my plea.

I call upon Hoshi, the Great Divine of the Stars, and ask for your hand in a swear.

My people have spilt blood in your name, and whether or not this is your commands, I ask of your blessing in this promise."

I clasped my hands together, and patted the objects down. Now a bloody pile of ash, I dipped my fingers into the bowl and painted my cheeks with the ashes. I poured the ashes onto the pentagram, placed the bowl aside, and lowered my head in prayer.

"Hoshi, Great Divine of the Stars that adorn the canvass of the night, hear my cry.

Underneath your light, my eyes were opened to the horrible truth of mine clan, and thine sins.

In your name, I swear upon the Stars of the night, that I will never spill blood of the innocent again.

I will only kill in defense, for survival, or the survival of one I hold dear.

Should I break this vow and descend to my old, monstrous ways, may your wrath rain down upon my broken soul, and drag me to the pits of Hell."

I raised my head and tilted it back, opening my eyes to stare at the ceiling. I hovered my hands over the candles, feeling their warmth cast over my bloody palm.

"Namu."

I lowered my hands, and blew the candles out.

The night was long. Dinner was a nightmare. I hated every moment that I had to spend with these monsters. The Chieftain was constantly asking me if I had any plans on running away, giving White Star a reason to glare at me.

I hated every moment of this.

I had to place my blanket over the marks of the ritual, not wanting to give the Chieftain any reason to question my mentality. Great Divines know what he might do if he thought I had a mental disease that could "hinder" the future heir.

I was resting against the wall under the window, ready for another silent, thoughtless night.

"Psst!"

I jumped to my feet, spinning on my heel towards the window.

I opened the window, looking out with my knife at the ready. I looked down and saw…

"Azure Star? What the hell are you doing here!?" I hissed, sheathing my knife angrily. The young cluster smiled up at me, her eyes twinkling brightly as she climbed the ivy growing on the wall.

"I need to tell you something I heard! It's important-"

"REALLY!? Gossip!? Azure you could get killed if they spot you and stop climbing the wall!" I whispered, trying to wave her back down. But the little brat was persistent, coming right up to the window seal. She shook her head fervently, her brown hair bobbing back and forth.

"Miss Velvet, please! This is important, it's about the girl-"

"I won't be able to help you if they find you-wait… the girl?" I asked, returning to normal volume in my shock.

Azure Star nodded, looking behind her as if someone was behind her.

"Yeah! That girl you had us check on? She's gone to Death City!" She whispered, smiling brightly.

Astoria went to Death City? Not shocking really, with her being a weapon and all…

"But that's not what's important. It's who she went with!"

I cocked a brow, "Who… the Fae? That's her boyfriend-"

"NO! The Star Killer!"

I froze. Star Killer? Who was that?

"Who's this Star Killer?" I asked, worry racking my chest at Astoria's wellbeing. Azure Star's jaw dropped. She stared at me like I had grown a second head, not realizing that with me being trapped in this house I was free from gossip.

"Azure close your mouth you're not a codfish. I haven't been able to hear any rumors or gossip with me locked up in this house, so just answer the question and quickly!" I snapped, her teeth clacking together.

"The Star Killer is a tall, terrifying woman with untold power. She has bright, vibrant golden eyes and a dragon tattoo winding down her left arm. Eight missions were tasked against her, and all of them failed!"

I felt the hair on the back of my neck rise. Eight assassins? Dead?

"There's more! The last assassin sent after her managed to escape, but he has a scar on his arm, writing! It says 'Keep sendin'em I dare ya!'. He's refused to leave his house since! Those who've been able to talk to him have learned that she can fly silently like a bat in the night! She can cause the ocean to churn and drag you to the depths of hell! And she can breathe fire so hot, you see the reflections of your sins in her flames!"

Okay, the description was a bit excessive. But I got the jist of what she was saying.

"Why is Astoria traveling with a woman like that!?" I hissed, my fear beginning to rise with every passing moment.

Azure Star shook her head, her eyes falling to the ground.

"I don't know… the girl looked like she was terrified at every moment. I think she might've been kidnapped!"

I felt the blood drain from my face. Astoria? Kidnapped!? I felt my palms get clammy, I felt my body begin to shake.

I had to do something! If I didn't, this killer would make Astoria her next victim, like I had once before.

I glanced behind me, staring at the wooden door silently. If only there was a way for me to leave and not get followed.

"What are you going to do?" She asked, her brows furrowed together.

I didn't know. My heart was pounding in my chest. I felt woozy, like throwing up the little food I had. If Astoria died, I don't know what I'd do. She was everything to me. She opened my eyes, freed my soul! If it weren't for her, I'd be a heartless killer still!

She had a whole future ahead of her! A life, a love, a career! She can't die here, I won't allow it!

"Lady Velvet…"

I looked up at Azure, my teeth gnashed together.

"What are you going to do? I know you can't leave your house anymore… how would you go and save her? Sneak away maybe?" She suggested, but I shook my head.

"No. They'd track me down. They did before, they'll do it again. There's no way for me to leave without being tracked, I'd have to di-"

Die. I'd have… to die…

My eyes widened.

"Azure! I need your help!" I whispered, grabbing her collar and pulling her closer to me. Her eyes went wide in shock.

"Y-You need MY help?" She stammered. I nodded.

"Yes, I do. There's only one way to get my out of here without being tracked, questioned, or punished. I have to disappear permanently."

"Well yeah but how would you-"

"Permanently."

Her eyes narrowed in confusion. And then, I saw the light off behind her eyes.

"You… YOUR GONNA FAKE YOUR OWN DEATH?!"

I threw my hand over her mouth, shoving her against the wood on the side of the house. I lifted my head, making sure there was no one on the way after her outburst. When nothing but silence followed, I glared down at the young cluster.

"What the hell is wrong with you! Are you trying to get us killed?!" I half shouted, roughly tossing her back. She scrambled to grab hold of the ivy, her eyes fearful of both the bear fall and my idea.

"B-But Lady Velvet, how do you plan on doing that? Without getting caught? You can't just fall out of the window or something like that, it needs to be-"

"Believable I know…" I whispered, my brows furrowing together.

Has Azure hung off the ivy, I lost myself in thought. How could I go about doing this. And… should I do this?

I couldn't just leave some blood in my room and take off. While common sense wise, the Star Clan was dumb, they could find their way around a crime scene, no questions asked.

I couldn't ask Azure to try and "kill" me, they'd kill her in a heartbeat. If not an accident, then how…

"Are you gonna have someone attack you? Like one of those crazies down in the caves?"

I lifted my head, raising a brow at the young cluster.

"The Caves?" I asked, wanting her to elaborate on her suggestion.

"Yeah, the place where we keep prisoners?"

"Yeah I got that part, but why from there?" I huffed.

"Well, isn't there some assassin who tried to kill you earlier in the year or something who got locked up? If we set him free and sick him on you, you'd actually be fighting for your life, but with your level of skill, you'd make it seem as if he won! Like getting stabbed and hurling yourself off the cliffs to the east! Or is that too much-"

"No."

I stopped her by holding out a hand, running over the plan in my head. A man in the Caves, a sort of temporary, makeshift prison, did want me dead.

Using someone with a genuine desire to spill my blood would make the stunt all too believable. And I'd be able to get to Melody no problem from there, and save Astoria.

Maybe even… live with her.

I smiled. The first genuine smile I think I'd made in months.

"It's perfect!"

I waited with bated breath. The old clock on the wall was ticking slowly, counting down the seconds as time went by.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

Azure was on her way to the Caves, attempting to release the madman that laid dormant within. He was the son of my first victim, the one I killed at a tender four years old.

He wanted me dead for the murder of his father, which made no sense to me, but that was the least of my worries.

A small satchel was clung to my side. Within was a few first aid objects I felt I would need after I had made my escape.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

I kept my ears set on the door, making sure no one was coming up the stairs to check on me. I had a feeling White Star would try and do his stupid 'mating' ceremonies with me tonight, since he was aware of the previous discussion I had with the Chieftain. This plan needed to work, and it needed to be carried out fast.

Azure Star needed to hurry, less I be discovered.

Tick. Tock. Tick. Tock.

My heart was pounding in my chest. Sweat was dripping down my neck. As soon as I was out, I would save Astoria from this murderous monster, and finally… be able to live out my life at her side. It was almost too much for me to bear. Finally, after all these years…

I'd be free.

"LOOK OUT!"

My head shot up when I voice called out from outside my window. I only had a second to look before-

CRASH

The window was smashed into tiny pieces as a man flew in. He had wild black hair and bloodshot brown eyes. His teeth were ground together in a snarl.

And he flew straight for me.

I jumped to the side, barely avoiding his lung at my throat. He slammed into the wall, hissing with pain and anger as he scurried to his feet. I needed to get out of the house before the Chieftain or White Star could interfe-

"YOU MANIC! YOU MURDERED MY FATHER YOU VILE, MEWLING QUIM!"

The man began to spit and snap insults at me, stomping his feet against the wall and using it to propel himself forward.

My instincts told me to dodge, but I had to keep the act up and pretend to lose, otherwise this plan would fail.

I pretended to stumble on my feet as the man lunged, this time successfully grabbing my throat. He flew forward with such force that he sent us hurtling out of the room, tumbling from the second floor into the snow below.

I felt my airways tighten as he tried to strangle me. I kicked at his gut, trying to get him off so I could make a break for it east.

"L-Lady Velvet!" Azure was still here, standing off to the side as she watched the fight.

I looked over at her for a second, seeing a few injuries on her side and arms from getting him here. My heart ached for the young cluster, but I couldn't do much to help her.

"GO! GET OUT OF HERE!" I shouted, finally managing to throw the wildman off and regain control of both my breath, and the situation. I scrambled to my feet and ran forward, ducking into the thick woods ahead.

I heard Azure call after me, but I ignored her, and focused on getting as far away from the village as I could. In the distance, I could hear the commotion beginning to stir. People had taken notice, and would soon be after us. I needed to get to the cliffs and quick.

"GET BACK HERE YOU EVIL, SELFISH HARLOT! I'LL SKIN YOU ALIVE FOR WHAT YOU DID TO HIM!"

The man screamed and screamed and screamed, foam bubbling at the corners of his mouth as a result of his madness. My legs were beginning to scream in protest, aching after going unused for so long. If I stopped, I'd be killed, and the man was gaining on me. I needed to run faster.

As the wind rushed by me, I shifted the image of myself from that of a human, to a wild beast. My bones began to crack, and fur began to sprout as I shifted from my human form the form of a grey wolf. Falling to my front, I used my extra set of legs to launch forward, taking off through the forest at twice the speed.

"YOU EVIL LITTLE-"

The man was screaming even louder now, angry at my gain of the upper hand. I smirked to myself, hearing the roar of the falls in the distance, and the army of footsteps pursuing us.

We were almost at the falls, and the Clan was gaining on us.

Perfect.

Feeling the rush of the wind through my fur, and the cold forest floor beneath my paws again was such a refreshing feeling. After so long trapped in that small, suffocating house, the euphoria that washed over me was almost too much to bear.

And in that small moment, I tripped.

My paw snagged on a branch, I was thrown forward, tumbling through the bushes like a tumbleweed.

'ShitshitshitshitSHITSHITSHIT!'

I swore over and over again internally as I fell to my side, the man now a meter away.

"GOTCHA!"

He unsheathed a knife from his pocket, holding it over his head in a frenzy. I only barely managed to dodge the attack, rolling to the left. I desperately scrambled to my feet, the falls in sight, my way out!"

"NO!"

The man threw his whole body at me, locking his arms around my neck.

"YOU'RE NOT GETTING AWAY FROM MY YOU MANGY MUTT!"

If that declaration, he drove his knife into my side.

I howled in pain, blood spewing from the wound and staining the snow around us. I kicked and squirmed as I rolled us closer the the falls.

There it was, the end of the river, the way to freedom.

The man withdrew the knife only to stab me again, drawing more blood and cries from me.

I gritted my teeth, needing my arms to throw his man off the cliffs with me. While the pain shot through my spine, I returned to my human form, turning onto my back and grabbing the man by the throat.

"You're not the only one with a knife!"

I pulled out the knife hidden under my satchel and drove it into his neck, watching his eyes dilate as blood poured down my arm. I tucked my legs underneath him and kicked him forward, but with his knife still in my side and his grip still firm, I rolled with him.

He screamed like an angry bear, removing his knife and stabbing me one final time in the back.

He pinned me to the ground, my head leaning over the edge of the cliff. The fall was so big, and the ground below seemed so far away.

"VELVET!"

I heard White Star call my name. In fear, I looked over my shoulder to see him and the Chieftain charging at us, a small army of assassins close behind them.

No.

I'd rather die then let them win.

I reached behind me and grabbed onto a root sticking from the cliff. With one final cry, I screamed out my loudest battle cry, grabbing the man by his hair…

And flipped us over the cliff.

*INHALE*

AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAA

I LIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIVE

Goodness me its been too long! But I'm back my dears!

I got hit by a huge writers block when a bunch of life changing events assaulted me, like moving to a new house and adopted a new kitten and such.

But, after the long wait, chapter 13 is finally here!

Velvet escapes the Star Clan by faking her death, via assassination. Quite the effective method to do so.

So regarding updates, I can't really make a set schedule anymore. I feel like trying to set a schedule imposes a lot of pressure on me, and while I did a weekly sched with TDW, I was also writing to avoid doing school work...

I'm going to do my best to keep writing and my goal is to at least get one chapter up a month, so I can deliver the best of my abilities to you.

Without further ado, that brings this chapter to a close. A Star's Revelation will be updated monthly (if life allows it)

NEXT TIME:

Velvet has successfully escaped the Star Clan. After getting stabbed three times, and getting flung over a waterfall, many would believe one to be dead. With her newfound status, Velvet hitches rides on trains, boats, and even the backs of trucks to find her way to Death City. When she gets she comes face to face with this supposed woman who has Astoria trapped in her claws. The Star Killer. Who is she? What does she want?

Find Out In Chapter 14: The Dragon Witch

~HUGS ALL AROUND~