Starfire Read Online Free PDF

overwhelming joy. Slowly stroking the warm crystal, she whispered, “Mother? DemonSlayer? Are you … ?” The blade glowed and pulsed, and Selyn knew it lived.
    Then she heard her mother’s familiar voice.
    “I am here, daughter. Yes, I am Elda, her spirit and her heart, the one who carried you, who gave you life. I fight now with a woman you shall call sister, for Eddy Marks is a brave and powerful warrior. As are you, my daughter.”
    Wide-eyed, Selyn shot a glance at Eddy, and then stared once again at the sword. She took a deep breath. “I am ready to fight. We all are. The others didn’t want to believe me, but when I told them there would be swords for each of them, it gave them hope. These people—and this curly-haired beast—have healed my injuries. I’m ready.”
    “It is good. I was with you when you fought the warden. I feared for you then, though I was sure you would prevail. You are stronger than you realize, more powerful than you know, and I celebrate your healing. A word of caution, beloved daughter—those you count as your enemies may not be guilty of their many sins. All is not always as it appears.” The sword glowed once more and then faded.
    Eddy waited for a moment while Selyn rested her fingers against the blade. Then she quietly sheathed her weapon and rested her fingers on Selyn’s wrist. “She does that a lot, says things I don’t entirely understand. But DemonSlayer always tells the truth. That ‘all is not always as it appears’ will make sense eventually. And Selyn, anytime you feel you need to talk to your mom, just let me know, okay?”
    Selyn raised her head and smiled at Eddy. “I dreamed she was the sentience of a crystal sword, but to hear her voice …” She brushed a hand over her eyes. “It’s as if she lives again.”
    Eddy took Selyn’s hand and squeezed her fingers. “She does. She is very much alive within my blade. Your mother has become my friend as well as my companion in the battle against demonkind. I don’t know how much you hear of the world, working in the mines, but demonkind threatens all of us again. DemonSlayer has already saved my life and the lives of my friends on more than one occasion. Selyn, I’m so glad you’re all right, and I’m really glad we found you, that you got to talk to your mom. Anytime you feel the need, please … anytime.”
    Eddy sighed and sat on the edge of the bed. “I would give anything to hear my mother’s voice. She died when I was little.”
    Selyn looked into Eddy’s dark brown eyes, felt her sadness, saw the compassion in their chocolate depths and, without further thought, wrapped her arms around her new sister and hugged her close. “I’m sorry for your loss, but I am so happy you carry the sword with my mother’s spirit.”
    She leaned back far enough to see the tears tracking down Eddy’s face and knew they probably matched her own. Smiling now, she said, “This means I no longer have to worry about her. Where she is, how she fares in the afterlife. Knowing she is once again in the midst of battle …” Selyn sniffed and then laughed. “It must make her very happy. She was a brave warrior. A good and loving mother, but my mother was first a warrior.”
    “Thank you.” Eddy sniffed, and then they both giggled. “I wonder who’ll be the sentience in your sword?”
    Selyn thought about that a moment. Then she shook her head. “I have no idea. There were so many brave women who fought in the DemonWars. All of them are gone now.”
    Dawson stepped closer. She’d been almost preternaturally aware of his presence, as if she sensed him on levels she didn’t truly comprehend. Even though she hadn’t seen him, she’d felt him standing silently by, watching the interaction between her and Eddy, so it was no surprise when he moved closer and lightly touched her shoulder.
    She was proud of herself for not flinching this time, but she’d expected his soft touch even before his fingers rested on her