Page 118 of The Eternal Mirror
For the first time in what feels like forever, I know where my path leads.
But that’s my path, and it’s only for me to know. I don’t think the others would understand. They haven’t seen my visions of a future under Khronus.
I whisper a promise to the stars: “I’d rather burn this world than let him own it.”
Chapter 43
Do I look like an Omnicidal Maniac?
As soon as I close my eyes to sleep, I know something is different.
I can sense the Eternal Mirror. I can see it spinning endlessly amid the stars. It’s drawing closer, as though it can sense me in return. As though there’s a connection between us, pulling us together. Through it, I can see the endless void, filled with possibilities of worlds to come.
And worlds that have gone.
Maybe there was a connection forged when Selene gave me her magic.
What do you want?I whisper the questionthrough my mind.
Then my vision changes, and I’m standing barefoot in the temple of Selene on Valandria.
The air smells like stars—like frost and fire. Above me, I see swirling galaxies of light and shadow. I know it’s not real, just a memory of the place.
The statue of Selene lies toppled, and the real thing is sitting cross-legged on the empty plinth, as though waiting for me.
“You came,” I say.
“Because you called,” she replies.
Hah. “I’ve been calling for the last week.”
“I’ve been a little busy,” she snaps. “The Mirror is unraveling faster than I anticipated. It’s taking all my magic to hold it together.”
I step closer. “Khronus is using the mirror’s magic from the splinter.”
She shakes her head. “It was never meant to be used like this. The Mirror is not a weapon.”
“He doesn’t care what it was meant to be. He just wants to use it to get to the Eternal Mirror. He wants to become a true god like you.” I frown. “What is the difference anyway? What makes you arealgod?”
“We have the power of creation and destruction, and we wield the celestial fires. We are both shifter and mirror mage. We can bestow gifts upon those who please us.”
“Like the mating bond?” I ask. “Some gift.”
“It is what you make of it,” she snaps.
Very fucking cryptic.“Did you find out if you can sever the bond between me and Khaosti?”
“That is the wrong question.”
I think for a moment. “Willyou sever the bond?”
“I haven’t decided.”
Jesus, she’s annoying. Have I mentioned—I seriously dislike the gods. But at least I got her here.
Now I have to get the information I need without letting her know that I need it. Because I’ve got a funny idea that she wouldn’t be supportive of my plan.
I walk around the temple, trailing my fingers along the smooth marble. I come back to stand in front of her, arms folded across my chest. “So how do I stop him?”
