Page 121 of The Eternal Mirror
Khaosti leans against the wall behind me.
I look back to the front. Josh shifts to the side. It’s a small movement, but not quite right. Just a tilt of his head, as if he’s listening to something far away. But it makes Grimlet freeze, then lean into him, whispering something I can’t hear.
Josh doesn’t blink. Doesn’t move. Just stares at the far wall like it’s whispering secrets. Then, slowly, he turns and looks at me. His eyes flash—silver, sharp as shattered mirror-glass—and then it’s gone. Blink and you’d miss it.
But I didn’t blink.
I hold his gaze a moment longer. He smiles. Sweet. Innocent. Almost.
I look away first. One day soon, we’re going to have to get to the bottom of what is going on with Josh. Though I suspect that will be a job for someone else. I take a deep breath. It’s time to get this meeting on track.
“Morning, everybody.” God, I’m terrible at speeches. So, let’s get right down to it. “I think it’s time for us to leave here. I know you’re all feeling the effects of this place. It’s been a safe haven and has allowed us to regroup and recover, but it’s time to move on.”
“Where?” someone calls out.
Good question, and one I do have an answer to. “I’m going to open a mirror to Valandria, and you all can go there.”
Zayne raises his hand like he’s in school or something—except I bet he never asked a single question when he actually was there. “I thought you didn’t want to be in charge?” he says, and I cansee that he’s very dubious about this plan and thinks I’m up to something.
“I’m not in charge as such.” I give him my sweetest smile and consider asking Khaosti to toss out any hecklers. “And obviously, I’m not going to order anyone to go.”
“Good.”
I roll my eyes. “But I do strongly suggest that you all go. The truth is, an army is not going to win this war, and I can’t concentrate on defeating Khronus while I have to worry about you lot.”
“You’re saying we’re a liability. Thanks, Amber.”
I turn to Khaosti. “Do you want to throw him out?”
But he just smiles, and I continue. “Once Khronus is gone, there will be lots to do. And you can all come back and create your brave new world.”
“And how do you plan to get rid of Khronus?”
“I’ve been working on a few strategies, along with Selene.”
A silence falls over the room. I thought that would get them. Yeah, me and the goddess are besties.
“We’re coming up with a plan. Obviously, I can’t reveal the details for security reasons. But we are quietly confident in its success.”
“Are you going to kill him?” Laura asks. She’s been feeling a little bitter and twisted since Killian’s disappearance.
“That is an integral part of the plan. But I can’t go into details.”
“So, you’ve got a plan to kill Khronus,” Zayne says. “And you’re not taking your army. Just your boyfriend. Sounds legit.”
I wish I could send Khaos to Valandria with the rest of them. But there is zero chance of that happening. I give Zayne another of my big sister smiles. “Believe me, it is legit.”
Zayne mutters something. I can’t hear him, but from reading his lips, I’m pretty sure he says, “You’re so full of shit.”
True.
“Any questions?”
Obviously, there are a lot, but I’ve come prepared with answers. Khaosti doesn’t say a word. He just watches me. Nothing new there. It takes way too long, but by the time the questions run out, I think I have the majority of them convinced.
Except for the skeptics, of course.
I catch Zayne’s eye, and he raises a brow. I’m going to have to convince him, if I have any hope of this working. And I suspect the only thing that will work is the truth, because Zayne’s done letting me get away with lies—he sees through me too easily.
