Page 24 of The Eternal Mirror
But who is controlling what I see? Selene or the Mirror itself...
If I close my eyes, I can still see it—those silver rings endlessly spinning in the void.
Cracked. Broken.
And the world unraveling.
Chapter 9
Khaos
“Are we nearly there?” Grimlet asks from beside me. I cast a quick glance at the gargoyle. He seems to have gotten over his initial excitement, and he’s settled into his seat, eyes blinking and ears twitching. I guess he’s had to come to terms with some big changes over the last few days.
I check the GPS. “Yes, we're nearly there. Do you need something?”
“Grimlet is hungry.”
I actually have no idea what gargoyles eat or whether they even eat at all. “What do you need?” I ask. My stomach growls. I could use some food myself; let’s hope these people are friendly. As far as I can tell, we’re a long way from anywhere.
“Grimlet normally lives on magic. But there are no witches here; Grimlet needs food. Grimlet doesn't know what the food is like in this world. Grimlet will try anything.”
“Okay, I'll see what I can do.”
We left the tarmac about five minutes ago, and now we're driving through a forest of tall pine trees. There's just enough space between the trees for the truck to make its way. Up ahead, I can make out some sort of structure. I'm presuming that's our destination.
I finally pull up in front of a long, low log cabin in a clearing in the forest. There are no lights on, which is odd. Maybe they’ve all left. I’m not sure how I feel about that. I’ve always been a loner; maybe it’s better to stay that way.
Except I’m not alone anymore. I have Amber. And Grimlet.
“Wait here,” I said.
“Grimlet is always waiting,” he growls.
I haven’t got an answer for that, so I climb out of the vehicle and look around me. The air is cool, but the rain has stopped, and high above, the moon is shining through a break in the clouds.
I catch movement to my left and turn. A man steps out of the shadows; a pistol aimed straight at me. More movement—this time to my right—and a girl walks out. She's slight, not very tall, with pale blond hair. But the gun in her hand is unwavering. A third person steps out directly in front of me, a rifle pointed at my chest.
I don't like guns, and I have no wish to be shot by one. I have important things to do. The dream with Amber still reverberates through my mind. I need to get back to her. Whatever it takes.
So, I will play nice. For now. I raise my hands slowly. “I'm a friend,” I call out.
“I think I recognize all my friends,” the man off to my left says. He's tall and looks maybe in his thirties, with dark, messy hair. I'm guessing he's the leader of this group.
“Are you Killian?” I call out.
His eyes narrow. “What if I am?”
“I'm a friend of Amber and Zayne’s,” I reply. “She sent me here.”
“For what?”
I'm not quite sure what to say to that. I should have spent a little more time thinking this through. But maybe the truth will serve me best at this point.
“I need help,” I say. “She said you might have some free time on your hands right now.”
The man steps closer, but the pistol lowers to his side. “Why would she think that?”
“Because the shadow creatures and the shadowguard are no more.”
