Page 68 of A Game of Monsters

A day. It’s all I had – and from the way Erix said it, I believed he was beginning to work it out. My comments last night, my request for him to look after Duncan, it all pointed to the fact that I wouldn’t be around to do it myself.

In moments, we were engulfed in the cheers of humans. Crowds of them lined the streets, clapping and whistling, faces flushed with excitement and awe. Oh, how fickle the world was. Not three months ago, I was being screamed at for returning to Durmain, now they celebrated my presence.

A burst of light flashed across my eyes, almost blinding me. I winced back, my smile fading as I lifted a hand to my brow. It happened again, sunlight refracting off glass. I thought it was the reflection off a building, until suddenly the entire street lit up with it.

My blood cooled to ice in my veins as reality set in. The noise faded to the back of my mind as I took in the view of humans – hundreds – waving handheld mirrors at us.

“Whatisthat?” I asked, more to myself than anyone in particular.

“I do not know,” Erix answered, hands over his brow to block the glare. There was no denying his voice was as distressed as I felt.

I leaned over the carriage, sweeping my eyes from east to west, trying to make sense of what I was seeing. It was like shards of sun shone sporadically in the hands of the crowd.

“Excuse me,” I said to the Nephilim leading our carriage. “Everyone we are passing is waving something at us. Do you know what is happening?”

The answer came swiftly. “Cassial has arranged a gift to be sent to every human and fey, to commemorate this special day. Memorabilia of sorts.”

“Mirrors,” Erix breathed, brow furrowed as more flecks of light cascaded over his face. “They are all holding mirrors.”

Discomfort bubbled in my gut, sinking roots and refusing to let go.

“Why mirrors?” Accusation poisoned my tone.

Mirrors started this hell with Duwar. They had since taunted me, going so far as representing the very way Duncan prepared to end his life. Nothing about this brought me a sense of celebration or joy.

“After the poison that was Aldrick, he made many people fear a reflection for what they’d would find in it. There is no need for that anymore.” The Nephilim pulled on the reins, slowing the carriage even more. “But that is only my understanding. The workings of Cassial are not for me to speculate. However, you can ask him yourself when we are reunited, which will be shortly.”

And with that, the conversation was ended. Cut short, swift as the slice of broken glass across a neck.

I was dumfounded, unable to comprehend why he’d make such a decision, knowing the importance mirrors have had. Aldrick used them to converse with Duwar. Since then, I’d hardly been able to stare at my reflection, for fear of what I’d find. Except last night, when I fell asleep beside the mirror, wishing and hoping Duwar or Duncan would reveal themselves.

And here I was, surrounded by hundreds of mirrors.

It only got worse as the journey progressed.

For the final hours of our journey, every town, village and hamlet we passed through, it was clear these same gifts had made their way across the realm. There was hardly a hand spare.

At some point Erix had placed gentle fingers on my thigh and squeezed. The offer of comfort was welcome, but I barely recognised it beneath the thundering beat of my heart – and the desire to vomit all down the outfit Cassial had made for me.

Despite my discomfort, I recognised our destination as soon as we arrived. I almost didn’t have the space in my mind to understand why we stopped here. But I didn’t miss the message that was laid here.

Grove – my home, the human village I’d grown up in – was to host the wedding.

“Are we not heading further west?” I asked the Nephilim, who audibly huffed at the question. “I was informed the wedding was being hosted at the borderlands between Wychwood and Durmain, not here?”

“Plans have changed at the last hour,” they replied. “There was a disturbance with a small band of Hunters yesterday. Do not worry though, they have been dealt with, but due to the disturbance, the wedding was decided to be moved here.”

It certainly answered my question, but that still didn’t mean it pleased me. Was this why Cassial left earlier? He said that it was not of our concern, but if the Hunters were massing near the Wychwood border, that certainly wasourissue to share.

“Did you know?” I asked Erix who simmered in silent contemplation at my side. He didn’t need to speak for me to know he was suffering with inner thoughts.

Erix was silent for a moment, staring ahead as the convoy slowed, one by one, and the guests from Lockinge departed. I spotted Althea and Gyah ahead, being shepherded off; Elinor Oakstorm followed with her Nephilim guards. From the looks on their faces they were equally confused, whether or not they knew the importance this place had to me.

“No, I did not,” Erix finally replied, eyes wide and unblinking. As his lip curled over his teeth, I saw the twin points of fangs that had been left from his transformation into a gryvern. For a moment, he looked more monster than man.

I kept my gaze strained forwards, not wishing to let the memory of my past blind what was to happen next.

Erix leaned forwards, grasping our Nephilim guard by the shoulder. “We would like to be taken directly to Cassial before any proceedings.”

---