Star Darlings Collection, Volume 4 by Shana Muldoon Zappa

Author:Shana Muldoon Zappa [Zappa, Shana Muldoon]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Disney Book Group
Published: 2016-12-15T00:00:00+00:00

Clover gasped. Leave right then? In the middle of the night? In her bare feet? Without a word to Lady Cordial?

Besides, did Piper even know what she was talking about? The Starling wasn’t even awake!

It was all so unusual, and Clover didn’t like it one bit. She should just go back to her hammock, pull up her blanket, and go back to sleep. Then she’d wake up, and maybe there’d be a group holo-text telling the Star Darlings a Wish Orb had been identified. There’d be the usual routine of the platform opening, the orb floating into the cavern, and the girls waiting for the orb to choose its Starling.

But right there, right then, she was already holding the Wish Orb—without the Star Darlings. Without Lady Stella. And she didn’t know what to do.

Clover’s Wish Orb trembled. Its sparkle dimmed. Starf! she thought. The orbs had notoriously short life cycles. Clover had to help grant her Wisher’s wish before it faded away. And if she didn’t do it in time? The energy would be lost forever. Not to mention her poor Wisher’s dream would never come true.

Clover groaned in frustration. She was the eleventh Star Darling to be chosen. She’d waited so long for this to happen. (Not as long as Gemma, of course.) And now here was her opportunity, her chance to excel.

A flutterfocus darted by, and Clover gazed at it in wonder. It fluttered here and there, swooping around the platform as if searching for sweet-smelling nectar. It hovered for a moment, made up its mind, and landed lightly on Piper’s nose.

Piper’s eyes snapped open. She stared at the creature for a long moment, then held out her finger. The flutterfocus settled on the tip. “Hello, little one,” Piper said softly. A moment later, the creature took off, disappearing behind a golden waterfall.

“Star greetings, Clover,” Piper said with a calm smile. She gazed around the Wish Cavern as if it was exactly where she’d expected to be. All along, Clover had resisted the urge to shake Piper awake. Now she resisted the urge just to shake her. How could any Starling be so…so…unruffled?

“Aren’t you starprised?” Clover asked a bit shrilly. “You’re underground, in the Wish Cavern!”

“Of course I’m starprised,” Piper replied. “But there must be a reason why I’m here—with you.” She eyed the Wish Orb. Clover relaxed her grip. She’d been holding it a little too firmly.

“So tell me,” Piper continued.

With a sigh, Clover explained how Piper had come to her room and led her underground. Piper nodded as if that kind of thing happened every starday.

“So what do you think I should do?” Clover’s mind was racing like a runaway galliope, and at least Piper was composed and capable of clear thought.

“I already told you.” Piper spoke with exaggerated patience, as if Clover was a wee Starling. “You need to go right now.”

Oh! So she remembered that part! Clover thought. How helpful!

Clover knew Piper was right. Still, she hated to just leave! “Shouldn’t we wake up Lady Cordial?”

“I don’t think so,” Piper said thoughtfully.

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