Page 114 of The Eternal Mirror
I sigh. “It isn’t Hell. Hell is gone. We’ll be going to what was left of Lucifer’s home when Hell was made. It’s the perfect place to hide. Khronus will never think to look there because, well, actually no one ever goes there.”
“I wonder why?” Zayne says. “Are you even sure it exists?”
“Hecate said it did. That it’s there, but shrouded in shadows. Whatever that means.”
“I know where it is,” Khaosti says.
I frown. He’s never mentioned it before. “You do?”
“There’s a blank area on all the maps to the north of here, edging the Silverveil Sea. I fought in a campaign near there once when I was just a boy. I was curious, so I went to look. It was a strange place of mist and shadows. And there was no way in, that I could find. It was rumored that if you did get in, you would never be seen again. I don’t think many tried.”
“Well, that’s comforting,” Zayne mutters.
“I remember,” Khaosti continues, “I wanted to try. At that point, I didn’t really care if I was never seen again.” He shrugs. “But I did my duty instead and fought another of my father’s battles.”
“So, you’re for it then?” I ask.
He looks startled. “I already followed you into Hell. I will go wherever you ask.”
Zayne makes gagging motions.
I look at Thorben, who we asked to join us, as he needs to make this decision as well. “What do you think?”
“I’ll take it to the Council, but right now they will follow you anywhere. Even into Hell.”
“It’s not Hell,” I growl, and finish the rest of my sandwich while I consider logistics. “I think we should have an advance team and check it out,” I say. “You know, just in case we do disappear forever, never to be seen again.” Sounds quite nice. I see how it would have appealed to Khaosti.
“Really fucking motivating,” Zayne mutters. “Who?”
“You, of course.” I smirk. “Me, Khaosti, Josh—because I need to keep an eye on him—and Grimlet. The rest can pack up the camp, and I’ll come back for them when we know it’s okay.”
“Or not.”
I look him in the eyes. “You can stay here if you want to.”
“I’m not getting left behind. Last time you snuck off with the asshole—” He waves a hand at Khaosti—“it did not end well.”
“Good, it’s settled. I’m going to rest in the healer's tent with Josh. I didn’t get much sleep last night, and we’ll leave as soon as I have enough magic to make a mirror.”
It’s twenty-four hours before I feel ready to go. We held a funeral for Sheela this morning, along with the rest of our people who died. That was nice. More burning bodies. I’m finding it hard to believe Sheela is gone, that she’s nothing but smoke and ash.
Zayne has Josh in his arms. He still hasn’t woken, but he hasn’t gotten any worse either. That’s a win. Or the pathetic ghost of one. My standards are wrecked. Grimlet is on Khaosti’s shoulder. We have food for a few days, but otherwise, we’re traveling light.
I step forward and whisper the words...
“Show me what the world forgot,
The home where shadows veil a lot.
Mirror deep and silver-bound,
Reveal the place long lost, now found.”
The air shivers, and the mirror forms: dark glass and a silver frame.
“You ready?” I turn to look at my little group.
“No,” Zayne says.
