Page 99 of The Eternal Mirror
Playing Hooky
Iopen the mirror to Earth. To Hawaii, to be precise.
Sometimes being a witch is pretty cool. I have a vague memory of Selene once telling me that all magic has a price. But I’ll worry about that later.
We step through.
And instantly, I regret nothing.
The sun hits me first; it’s maybe midday and hot. Then the sand. Warm, golden, blinding. Then sound—waves, laughter, the screech of seagulls and small children. A faint steel-drum beat in the background. It smells like salt, sugar, sunscreen, and money.
Also instantly, I realize how ridiculous we look.
Khaosti’s dressed like he just walked off the set of a vampire war film: black boots, black pants, a shirt open to the waist, and a swordstrapped to his back. He’s also bleeding. Not much, just a nick on his hand—I’m guessing he was training people earlier—but enough for one bikini-clad woman to gasp and clutch her margarita.
I glance down. Right. I’m also in full rebel gear: black leather, a thigh holster, boots, dirt—the showering facilities are a little scarce at the camp. Between us, we must look like we just murdered a beach volleyball team.
“Okay,” I mutter. “I see one small flaw in this plan.”
Khaosti arches a brow. “Only one?”
“We look like the end credits of a dystopian action movie.”
He surveys the crowd—bare skin, floppy hats, neon swimsuits. His mouth curves into a smirk. “They seem underprepared for war.”
A toddler runs up, points at his sword, and yells, “Mommy, look! A pirate!”
Khaosti bows slightly. “I get that a lot.”
I grab his arm and drag him toward a quieter part of the beach, under the shade of some coconut trees. We pass a tiki bar, and I freeze.
“Shit.”
“What?”
“I forgot about money. Earth money. We can’t even buy a drink.” I could magic some cash up. What do they use in Hawaii? Dollars, I guess. I don’t think I’ve ever even seen a dollar bill except maybe in the movies. Agh. I give Khaosti a once-over. He’s stilldrawing a lot of attention, even back here. “We could barter with your body,” I suggest.
“Sorry, my body is for you only.”
We keep walking. I find a secluded little patch behind a row of rocks, half-shielded from screaming families and strolling couples.
I could glamor us, so we look like we’re dressed in something else. But I’d still feel like I was wearing tight leather pants, and that’s not how I want to experience swimming in the Pacific Ocean.
Or I could make us invisible, and we could just go naked. But that’s not what I want either. I want to be normal. Well, as normal as I can be. So, we need money, clothes, and sunscreen. Or Khaos is going to be bright pink by the end of the day.
I search around us; behind is the façade of a pretty swanky hotel, and I have an idea.
“Okay, let’s go get some money.” I grab Khaosti’s hand and make us both invisible. Then we’re strolling through the sand—I’m getting pretty hot—and heading toward the hotel, with no one looking at us at all. There’s a posh doorman standing at attention, and we wait for a guest to approach before slipping in behind them.
I stop and search the huge reception area. It’s filled with exotic tropical plants and marble, reminding me a little of Khronus’s palace. I spot an ATM machine in the far corner and wait for the people in front of it to finish and wander off. I tug Khaosti over there and stare at it for a moment.
“Bank of Earth, unlock your door,
Show mewhat you’re hiding for.
Fives, and tens, and twenties too—
Spit out cash like rich folks do.”
