Page 38 of Mirror of Vanity

Garrick’s eyes softened. “Thank you,” he whispered. “I couldn’t do this alone.” He turned to face his men. “Guard the castle and shoot at anything that comes near.”

A guard unleashed his sword. “We’ll keep Angarth Stronghold secure, sire.”

Once more, I prepared for our journey to the Veil of Shadows. I had my bow and the only two men I trusted in this dreary land. Garrick might love this place, but I was counting the minutes until I got back to Edinburgh.

Justice insisted I eat something before we departed. Garrick had ordered three backpacks filled with meats, cheese, and fruits. Before we left, Justice insisted I eat a sandwich. I didn’t think I was hungry, but I was wrong. I devoured the sandwich as we left Angarth Stronghold.

“The Veil of Shadows is a day’s walk from Angarth Stronghold,” Garrick revealed as he led us across the drawbridge. “We probably won’t make it there until dusk.”

As we headed down the path away from the castle, Garrick and Justice walked on either side of me like I was a weak female who needed protecting. Usually, I would have countered this male chivalry, but I didn’t argue this time. We didn’t take the same path we had earlier. This time, we headed west toward a thick forest.

We walked in silence, except for my pounding heart, which I feared would alert the demons we were coming. As we approached the thick forest, a swirling mist skimmed the uneven ground. I thought about what might be hiding underneath the mist. Creepy-crawly things gave me the willies.

I glanced at the deep blue sky, where dark, angry-looking clouds concealed the sun’s light. I hoped we wouldn’t get rained on. The trees were like gnarled giants, their limbs contorting as if in agony. They clawed at the dark clouds, their silver leaves flickering with deceptive luminescence among the shadows.

I stumbled over tangled roots covered by a thick underbrush of dark, thorny plants and vines.

Justice caught my arm, practically lifting me into the air. “Careful, beautiful.”

“Thanks,” I mumbled as he placed me on stable ground.

I was glad he was with me, and I didn’t have to fight in this place alone. Guilt swelled within me, knowing he’d been lost in this land while I was asleep in a nice comfy bed.

It wasn’t only the foliage that daunted my spirits. A subtle, malevolent energy lingered, as if infused with the essence of the forest.

We reached a roaring black river that would be dangerous to cross. It was so dark it didn’t reflect any light. Not even the sun glistened off the water.

Garrick walked along the bank. “This river is known as the Shadowmere Torrent. If you fall into the water, you’ll lose your memory.”

Unfortunately, I couldn’t spot a bridge anywhere near us.

“Can’t have that. I would never want to forget about you,” Justice mumbled, but he wasn’t looking at the river or Garrick. He was staring at me.

I scowled and gestured. “How are we going to cross this thing?”

Justice gave me a mysterious grin as he wrapped his arm around my waist. “You remember the Shadow Mines?”

I groaned. “Seriously?”

He winked as he wrapped his arms around my waist. “It’s the only way.” He flicked out his wings. “I’ll return for you, Garrick.”

“Can’t hardly wait,” Garrick intoned as he folded his arms.

Justice’s arms tightened around me as he launched us into the sky, the sudden rush of wind whipping through my hair and stealing my breath. I clung to him, my heart lodged in my throat. It was like riding a rollercoaster, thrill and terror intertwined in a dizzying dance.

As we soared higher, the moisture in the air kissed my skin, leaving a trail of goosebumps in its wake. I inhaled deeply, filling my lungs with Justice’s masculine scent that had become synonymous with safety, with home.

I risked a glance down. The ground fell away beneath us at an alarming rate. The river, once a formidable barrier, now looked like a thin black ribbon winding through the landscape. I felt a moment of vertigo, my stomach dropping as the reality of our height settled in.

Yet, as fear threatened to overtake me, I found solace in Justice’s unwavering strength. His broad chest reminded me that he would never let me fall. In his arms, I was invincible.

He landed on the opposite side, and I sucked in a big breath of air.

“Stay here while I get Garrick.”

He lunged into the air again, a magnificent dark angel flying toward the other side.

A twig snapped behind me, the sound echoing through the eerie stillness of the forest. In one fluid motion, I pulled an arrow from my quiver and nocked it into my bow, my heart thundering. I scanned the trees, straining to penetrate the dense foliage, searching for any sign of an adversary.

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