Page 57 of The Eternal Mirror
“I like him,” Josh says.
Grimlet sniffs. “Grimlet is supremely indifferent to whether you like him or not.”
I smirk. “Grimlet likes me,” I say. “Okay, the introductions are over.” I look at the circle of men surrounding us. They’re all pointing sharp things in our direction.
There are hatchets on one side, men with swords on the other. Maybe we look dangerous. I search for someone who can tell me where Sheela is.
I’m ignoring the elephant in the room for now because I also need to see Khaosti. I’m guessing he must know I’m here. Like me, he must feel the bond. I can’t believe he hasn’t come to join us. Then it occurs to me that if Killian and his friends have been locked up, then likely so has Khaosti. Are they aware that trying to cage a dragon is not a sensible thing to do?
There’s a man standing in front of the guys with the swords. I think he must be in charge. I waggle my fingers at him. “Hi,” I call out. “I’m Amber. I’m looking for Sheela. I’m a friend, honest.”
His eyes narrow. “You’re the witch,” he says. “The one we’ve been waiting for.”
“Really. That’s...nice.” Of course it isn’t nice. It’s terrible. I don’t like people waiting for me. They have all these expectations that there’s a good chance I won’t be able to fulfill.
“Sheela?” I ask again.
“She’s not here.”
Well, that’s not good news. But maybe not so surprising. She would have had to make the journey on horseback. “When is she expected back?”
“Maybe tonight. Maybe tomorrow.”
Very helpful. I sigh. It’s got to be done. “OK, next question. What have you done with Khaosti?”
Shock flares in his eyes. “You know the prince?”
“Yeah, I know him quite well,” I say.
Zayne sniggers, and I shoot him a dark look.
“The prince is under arrest.”
“Why? What’s he done?” I mean, I wouldn’t put it past Khaosti to do something to get himself locked up. He needs me to look after him. Pity I’ve got far more urgent things to do. “What did he do?” I ask again.
“He didn’t do anything. It’s who he is. The son of Khronus. The commander of his armies. What else would we do but lock him up? We were just trying to decide how many pieces to send him back to his father in.”
If this guy has harmed a hair on Khaosti’s head, I’ll stickhison the end of a pole. I feel the celestial fire flicker to life. I could burn them all.
“Take me to him,” I growl.
At that moment, he looks like he’s not going to answer. Then he nods.
“Grimlet,” I say, “will you stay with Josh? Look after him? He could use a friend. He’s had a tough time.”
Grimlet thinks for a moment and nods. He launches himself off my shoulder, spreads his wings, and lands right in front of Josh.
Josh grins, holds out his hand like I did, and Grimlet scrambles onto his shoulder.
Wow. That’s one thing sorted.
I nod to the man, and he turns and walks away. I jog to catch up. “What’s your name?” I ask.
He peers sideways at me, as though considering whether or not to answer. “Thorben.”
“Great name. And you are?” It’s like getting blood out of a stone.
“I am the commander of the army here. These people are my responsibility.”
