Page 145 of The Eternal Mirror
She steps.
Wrapped in starlight. Skin lustrous like pearls. Hair like night clouds.
Selene.
It’s about fucking time.
Chapter 56
Oh, Shit No
“Is she real?” I ask.
“I have no fucking clue,” Khaos replies. “But she looks real.” He sounds as dazed as I feel. It’s hard coming back from that place. The one where you’ve accepted your own death.
For a moment, I just stare. He’s right; she certainly looks real. Well, as real as she ever does.
Does this mean she’s come to help? She’s always said she couldn’t, at least not physically, because she was stuck in the void with the Mirror. Except I suppose the Mirror is here now…
I blow out my breath, Nightfall drops to my side, and I take a step toward her. I’ve got to believe that this is good news. Because otherwise, I don’t have the strength to go on. I’m drained—emotionally, physically,and magically.
But as I open my mouth to say something profound, the mirror ripples again, and someone else steps through. I freeze in place as Thanouq nods to me. What the hell is he doing here? What’s happening?
Thanouq steps away from the mirror, just as Zayne pops out of it. I don’t know why I’m not more surprised. Zayne takes one look at me, and horror flashes across his face—I guess I look pretty bad. Josh and Grimlet hurtle through next. Josh sees me, crosses the space between us at a run, and throws himself at me.
Ouch.
I do my best not to scream as he wraps his arms around my broken ribs. Fuck, that hurts. Black dots dance before my eyes. I’m pretty sure it’s only Khaos’s hand on my arm that keeps me on my feet. Josh steps back. “Sorry, Amber. I just missed you.”
“It’s only been a day.”
Though admittedly a very long one. I search his face. He looks okay. Though there’s still that strange silver light in his eyes, as though there’s a star peeking out at me. But he’ll do.
I look around at them, and something inside me melts. I love them all. But I have to ask, “What the hell are you doing here? I sent you away. To safety.” I cast Thanouq a narrow-eyed glare. “You were supposed to keep them safe. Not fucking come back with them.” I’m yelling at this point, and it takes the last of my energy. I close my eyes and try to stay upright.
“Amber,” Selene says. “Let me help.”
I open my eyes, and she’s standing right in front of me. How did that happen? I think I must be passing in and out of consciousness. Or reality.
I’m not very happy with her right now. But I’m also not in a position to turn down any help. I nod.
Selene rests a hand over my heart, and I feel her power pulse through me, and the pain slides away. The exhaustion is gone.
“Thanks,” I say grudgingly.
Then I just stand for a moment, enjoying the absence of agony.
Though I’m still hungry.
“Has anyone got any food?” I ask hopefully.
Zayne grins and steps forward. He’s dressed in the uniform of Thanouq’s personal guard—all black except for the griffin on his chest. He hands me a bag. “I brought supplies just in case,” he says.
“You mean just in case we had five minutes to spare before Khronus annihilates us all?”
He shrugs. “You’re always hungry.”
I think about denying it but decide to investigate inside the bag instead. There’s a bottle of water, and I hand it to Khaos. He pulls out the cork and takes a swallow, then gives it back to me. I gulp down the warmish water, which cleans my mouth of the taste of blood and smoke. I dig out some bread next and offer it to Khaos, but he shakes his head, so I take a bite.
