Page 138 of The Eternal Mirror
I step back and take a deep breath—smile, or maybe grimace. “You’re right, we’ve totally got this.” Except I have no idea what to do. It’s clear that the Mirror has manifested in this place. But how? And why here? Is it because of me?
Is it stalking me? Ugh!
My heart rate is kicking up again. If I go on like this, I’ll have a heart attack before I can destroy the world. Another deep breath.
I need to know what’s going on. And there’s only one person who might have some idea. Time for her to shift her ass and get in the game.
I close my eyes, and I pray.
And guess what? Nothing happens.
I try again. “Selene,” I whisper, barely audible. “If you’re going to show up, now would be a really good time.”
Still no answer. Of course.
Then I hear it—soft footfalls, uneven, dragging.
Beside me, Khaos tenses.
I turn just as a huge black wolf stumbles into view, limping hard, half-collapsing with every step, but he keeps moving. Until he sees me. Then he stops, swallows, and raises his head.
He looks like death chewed him up and spat him out. Fur matted. Blood smeared across his jaw. One eye swollen shut. He drops to the ground in front of us, as though he’s used the last of his strength to get this far.
“Killian?”
There’s a shiver—or more like a shudder—of magic in the air. And then Killianis back.
His shirt is torn, but I’m pretty sure it was like that when we last saw him; otherwise, he looks unharmed, just exhausted.
He closes his eyes for a moment, then exhales and pushes himself to his feet. He peers down at himself and then runs a shaking hand through his hair and swallows. “I thought I would never be a man again,” he says, his voice rusty.
Khaos crosses to him quickly and steadies him before he falls over completely. He lowers him to the edge of the fountain, where Killian sits as if his spine were made of thread. His breathing’s wrong—shallow, ragged.
“Where have you been?” Khaos asks.
“After...” He swallows again, and I can hear the pain in his voice. “After Sheela was killed, I went a little crazy.”
At the sound of her name, grief swells inside me like a tide I can't hold back, and I reach across and squeeze his arm. “I’m so sorry.”
He just shakes his head. “I tried to attack him, but I couldn’t get near.”
I presume he’s talking about Khronus. “Go on.”
“Then I ran. I think I lost it for a while.”
“Khronus will do that to you.”
“I was captured by the rearguard of his army. I’ve been a prisoner since, kept in wolf form.” He sways. Clearly, he’s at the end of his strength. I’m guessing food hasn’t played a big part in his life since he was captured.
“Come inside,” I say. “We’ll get you something to eat and drink.”
I lead the way, and Khaos takes his arm and helps him up the steps. We head to the kitchen. Killian collapses onto the bench at the big wooden table.
At least we’re not short of supplies. We had plenty for the whole army, and now they’re not here. Which means I get to eat what I like.
I fetch a jug of water and a glass for Killian and place them on the table in front of him. He looks dazed, so I pour a glass and nudge it in his direction. He drinks convulsively, and I refill the glass. Then I go in search of food.
I place bread, cheese, and some cold meat on the table. Then I take a seat opposite him and help myself to a slice of bread and some cheese. I make a sandwich and eat it while I watch him eat. He needs a few minutes to compose himself.
