Page 68 of The Eternal Mirror
I press my hand to his chest, right over where the bond thrums, and speak the spell. He vanishes from my sight, but I can still sense him—sense his presence, sense the bond.
And it’s still comforting.
“Okay,” I mutter to myself. “Let’s go into the lion’s den. Or rather, the beastmaster’s den.”
Taking a deep breath, I make my way around the palace walls to the gates. They’re wide open, and there are guards. I come to a stop in front of them and waggle my fingers.
“Hi,” I say. “Can I come in?”
Shock flashes across their faces. I’m not sure if it’s good shock or bad shock, but it doesn’t matter. A moment later, my hands are tied behind my back, and I’m being roughly propelled across the courtyard toward the palace doors.
It’s clear I’m no longer being treated as a guest.
I keep my mind blank. Time to think later. I just have to get through this.
They haul me back to the same room I was brought to when I first arrived at the palace—the big one with the throne. It’sintimidating—I suspect that’s the plan. The doors are opened, and I’m shoved roughly inside. Too roughly—I fall to my knees, crashing to the marble floor.
Ouch.
For a second, I just stay there, putting off the moment I know is coming. Anyway, it’s hard to get up with your hands tied behind your back. Finally—well, it’s got to be done—I somehow manage to scramble to my feet and face the man standing in front of the throne.
I can almost feel the rage emanating from his tall figure. His nostrils flare as he looks at me. Then he walks slowly forward.
I swallow.
He steps around me and comes to a halt in front of me. He flicks a glance at the guard still standing at my side and gives a nod.
I don’t see it coming—the fist into my belly—but I certainly feel it.
Fuck.
I’m on the floor again, pain radiating out from my middle. I curl into a ball—and then someone kicks me in the back.
A roar, not from the guards but from inside my head, crashes through me like a tidal wave—Khaosti. His fury leaks through the cracks in my shield before I shut him out completely. But at least the invisibility spell is holding. It’s easier with Khaosti than it was with Zayne and Josh. Maybe because he really is a part of me.
I close off my mind and really, really hope he keeps his word and doesn’t intervene. I can do this. I can take this. I just say it to myself over and over like a mantra as the blows rain down on me.
I’m close to unconscious when they finally stop. My body a mass of pain. But I’m alive, and I don’t think anything is broken beyond repair. Hopefully, despite his rage, Khronus still sees me as more use alive than dead.
I really didn’t think Khronus would kill me. That was not part of my plan. And it will really put a spoke in it if it turns out I was wrong.
Then again...I’m not dead yet.
As I lie there, waiting for what comes next, I can sense Khaosti standing at the edge of the room, silently screaming his rage and frustration. But he remains silent.
Time to start the plan. I peer up through my hair and let out a pathetic whimper, which honestly is not at all hard. Then I uncurl my body slowly, every aching muscle tense, just in case Khronus decides he’s not finished. He’s standing over me, golden eyes dark and narrowed. “Please, no more,” I say.
“Get her up,” Khronus growls to the guard.
I’m hauled to my feet, and a little scream escapes me as pain slices through my body. I breathe through the agony.
“Why did you come back?” Khronus asks.
Good question. And one I actually have an answer to. “I have nowhere else to go. And I need your help.”
“The basilisk?”
“I sent him and Josh to Valandria. Thanouq will keep them safe.”
