Page 38 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
Up until now, the idea of going through the mirror was just that, an idea. But now I was supposed to dive into a pool, open the portal in a mirror and go through to the land of the Everminati. Vicious immortals from a time long ago. Had I gone mad?
“It’s beautiful,” Lyra whispered.
“Are you ready?” Methrin asked.
“How do I—open it?”
“Touch it,” he coaxed.
“Father, I’m going with them,” Lyra announced.
Rydlin sighed. “Lyra, I knew this day would come and although I advise against it, I will not stop you. Take the opportunity to document what you learn for the history books.”
“I will,” she said, and flung her arms around him.
Rydlin’s eyes went wet as he hugged her, and he did not let go, even when she did. I bowed my head, uncomfortable with their affection. My thoughts went to my father. I’d been robbed of the chance to say goodbye, yet it would have been impossible. Was he concerned about my disappearance? Had the Captain of the Venators told him the truth?
Methrin touched my arm, causing a lightning bolt of sensation to rush through me. “Let’s go.”
Panic filled me and I tried not to think of all the impossibilities. Holding my glowing fingers over the pool, I leaned forward, my entire body strung tight. There came a weight, a pressure on my shoulders, and the mist in the mirror rolled away.
Suddenly I was falling.
Water rose around me, pulling me into the murky darkness where it was impossible to breathe.
I squeezed my eyes shut, only opening them again when my feet touched something solid. The water was gone, but shadows shifted in the opaque place, hiding flashes of light. I shielded my eyes, squinting.
Sure enough, far ahead of me was a steady white light.
Was that where I was supposed to go?
I took a step.
A shadow darted at me with a wail. I leaped out of the way just before inky fingers closed around my wrist.
A guttural chuckle filled my mind and I spun around, searching for the owner of the voice.
Princess, it hissed.This way.
For one dark moment the mist enveloped me and my breathe came short and fast. I’d lost the light. I turned slowly, watching for flashes of it.
Red eyes glowed. Ribbons of darkness unfurled. Something dark was in the mirrorverse with me, something dark and dangerous. Was it the king of monsters? Had it followed me or had it always been here. Trapped.
Something cold wrapped around my ankles, tugging me down. I fell, hard, throwing out my hands to catch myself. A scream ripped out of my throat as I thrashed, kicking it in the jaw. Pain ripped up my leg as I kicked again but the cold had let go and the light was ahead of me.
“Esmira, run!” Methrin commanded.
Relief surged through me, and I was on my feet in a moment, dashing toward the light. Shadows wailed and threw themselves at me. Cold whipped around me, but I thrust out my hands, willing my Mirror Magic to manifest itself again. My fingers burned hot, and the tingling sensation within felt like a building inferno, ready to ignite.
“Keep going, Esmira!” Methrin shouted. “I will hold them off. Lyra, don’t use your magic, it is no good here.”
And then I saw it. A shapeless shadow stepped intomy path, towering above me. The gray mist and the faraway light giving the darkness a form. It was the king of monsters. The shadow in the mirror. It was here.
My feet slowed as I lifted my hands, waiting for it to strike me down, steal my soul, swallow me whole. It stepped closer. I backed away, my entire body shaking. Again came that dark laugh sending a chill up my spine.
Mirror, mirror,it hissed.Who’s the strongest of them all? Who is a monster and who’s the fool? Give up already? Both are you.
“You won’t win,” I said with a boldness I did not feel.
