Page 87 of Crossing Between
"Whoa," I breathed.
"The sign only reveals itself to magical beings or those accompanied by dragon-blooded individuals," Quilith explained, looking pleased with my reaction. "One of the city's best-kept secrets."
They pushed open the door, and a small silver bell chimed overhead. I followed them inside and immediately froze in wonder.
The interior was impossibly vast, defying the modest exterior dimensions. It was like the Tardis. Racks of clothing stretched as far as I could see, organized by color in a rainbow that would make a pride parade jealous. Fabrics I'd never seen before, some that seemed to shift colors as they moved, others that appeared to be woven from light itself, hung from displays that floated in mid-air.
Mirrors lined the walls, but these were unlike any mirrors I'd encountered. As I passed one, my reflection winked at me. Another showed me not as I was, but as I might be, older and more confident, power radiating from my stance.
"The mirrors show possibilities," Quilith murmured, noticing my fascination. "Some show what is, others what could be."
A mannequin to my right suddenly turned its head to look at me, then began to adjust its proportions, expanding and contracting until it matched my exact measurements. I jumped back with a yelp.
"Don't mind them," Quilith waved dismissively. "They're just sizing you up."
"Of course they are," I muttered, eyeing the mannequinswarily as they continued to shift and change, mimicking not just my body but my posture and mannerisms.
"Quilith, darling!" A melodic voice called from somewhere in the depths of the store. "Is that you I sense?"
"None other, Saddie!" Quilith called back, their voice lilting with pleasure.
A figure emerged from between two towering racks of shimmering gowns. At first glance, they appeared human, tall and willowy with platinum blonde hair cut in a severe bob. But as they drew closer, I noticed their eyes were entirely silver, without pupil or iris, and their skin had a subtle pearlescent quality that caught the light in impossible ways.
"And you've brought a friend," Saddie's silver eyes fixed on me with unnerving intensity. "A Soulbinder, no less. How unexpected."
"Zoey, meet Saddie, proprietor of this establishment and an old friend of mine." Quilith's emphasis on the word "friend" carried layers of meaning.
"Frenemy would be more accurate," Saddie corrected with a sharp smile. "We've tried to kill each other at least three times."
"Five, but who's counting?" Quilith returned the smile with equal sharpness.
I glanced between them, feeling the crackle of ancient rivalry in the air. "Um, nice to meet you?"
Saddie's attention snapped back to me, their silver eyes softening slightly. "The pleasure is mine, Soulbinder. It's been centuries since one of your kind graced my humble establishment." They circled me slowly, appraising. "Yes, yes, I can work with this. Quilith, you've brought me such a delightful canvas."
"Canvas?" I looked at Quilith in confusion.
"We're not here for lunch, darling," they admitted with a mischievous grin. "We're here to outfit you properlyfor what's to come."
"But I have clothes," I protested weakly, gesturing to my colorful ensemble.
Quilith's expression turned serious. "Power likes to play dress-up, darling. And this?" They swept their hand to encompass the vast boutique. "This is war paint."
Saddie clapped their hands, and several items floated off the racks, hovering in the air before us. "Let's start with the basics, shall we? Every Soulbinder needs proper anchors."
They plucked a pair of delicate lace gloves from the air and handed them to me. As soon as I touched them, they began to hum softly against my skin, a gentle vibration that resonated with my own magic.
"Go on," Saddie encouraged. "Try them on."
I slipped the gloves over my hands. They fit perfectly, molding to my fingers as if they'd been made specifically for me. The humming intensified, and I felt my magic respond, flowing smoothly through my body.
"These are stitched with phoenix feathers," Saddie explained, adjusting the fit at my wrists. "They'll help anchor your mind and protect you from the Essencefeaster's attempts at corruption."
"They're beautiful," I murmured, flexing my fingers and watching the lace catch the light.
"Beauty is a side effect," Quilith examined a floating rack of what looked like corsets. "Function is the priority."
Saddie nodded in agreement, pulling a deep purple dress from the air. "Here," they thrust it into my arms. "Put this on. You'll know if it fits your soul."
