The Constellation Mark (Secrets in the Stars Book 1)

A Celestial Fantasy About Destiny, Forbidden Worlds, and the Fate of Earth

In the magical realm of the Firmament, the constellations spend their immortal lives watching over the beauty of the Milky Way. All except one place: Earth. The planet is forbidden, and no constellation is allowed to interfere with its people.

But Astraea, a young constellation and goddess of justice, cannot look away. Drawn to Earth and especially to The Hunter, a man she has secretly observed from afar, Astraea begins experiencing powerful visions when ancient celestial magic is awakened on Earth. At the same time, far across the world in Bolivia, a girl named Pilar unknowingly unlocks the same mysterious force.

The visions reveal something impossible: constellations once walked beside humans on Earth. While Astraea sees hope in this forgotten connection, the other constellations fear punishment from their leader if the truth is uncovered.

As natural disasters threaten humanity and a catastrophic fate looms for the planet, Astraea launches a dangerous investigation that could change the universe forever. To save Earth, she must convince her fellow constellations that humans are worth protecting—even if it means defying the very laws of the Firmament.

And if she fails, the world will fall… along with the man she loves but can never have.

Discover the beginning of an epic celestial saga in The Constellation Mark.

Excerpt from the book

The sweeping starry spectacle of the Milky Way is merely a backdrop for the masterpiece Astraea observes. The constellation glances over her shoulder, and assured she is indeed alone, turns her focus back to the tiny planet, Earth.

Something in the far reaches of her mind stirs, like a star forming in a nebula, as she watches the storm growing. Is it a memory of a storm or a distant dream? Lightning flashes as the clouds churn, forming a perfect circle at the center before it swallows the entire island. Her heart sinks. Will any of the humans survive? She closes her eyes, trying to shut out the pain, but there is nothing to be done. Anger rises inside her, raging like the tempest below.

She needs to see him. Now. It never takes her long to find The Hunter. He’s always near the mountains or the sea. Thankfully, he is on the mainland, far from the dangerous winds of the storm. Tonight, he is sitting by a fire beneath the open skies, dark hair pulled behind his ears, the soft glow illuminating his strong jaw and dark eyes. He is safe. Slowly, the turmoil quiets within her. His presence, though hopelessly beyond her reach, brings her peace.

A sharp hissing startles her away from The Hunter’s captivating visage. Warmth spreads across her cheeks as shimmering black and gold scales slither toward her. Had Serpens seen her as she stared down upon the forbidden planet? Astraea dares a slight smile, hoping her rosy cheeks do not betray her. He nods in response, his ink-black tongue flicking in and out of his mouth as he glides by her.

Astraea sighs in relief at his disinterest. If the other constellations ever discover her diversion—no, her obsession—with Earth and The Hunter… they would more than scoff. She would lose her seat on the Council and there would be punishment. She shudders.

But no one knows. She will be more careful. After she checks on him once more before the Council meeting.

When she finds him, he is rummaging through his pack. Curious, Astraea magnifies her vision. She cannot help but notice the rough callouses on his hands and the way the firelight gives his brown eyes an intelligent spark. The object he pulls from his pack is small in his careful hands. It is an old leather-bound book. He begins to flip through the worn pages.

Suddenly, a brilliant cerulean light bursts from the page. Astraea sees only the blinding light and then darkness. She gasps as images flash through her mind. A swirling symbol filled with the blue light. A black dog as large as a bear racing across a field. The beam retreating back into the mark.

And then they are gone. Sucked into a void like the emptiness of space outside the plane of the Firmament.

Astraea’s heart pounds in her ears. Bright sparks slowly fade from her vision as she tries to regain her focus. Her head throbs, and she cradles her face in her palms. What happened?

The Hunter. What happened to him after the blue light? Through the throbbing ache, she searches. He appears startled, but otherwise unharmed. Her pulse slows a little.