Page 57 of Wicked Prince of Mirrors
“How will we know when we find it?”
“You will know. The magic it carries is innate. It cannot be destroyed.”
“Can you sense it?”
“No, but if we get close, perhaps—Esmira, there’s something else.”
“What is it?”
“Legend holds that the Shadow Slayer can only be used by one who has never slain a monster, nor been corrupted by magic. If that is true, you will need to take the sword.”
“Oh.”Thiswas why he needed me. But how did he know I wasn’t corrupted? I heard the shadow’s voice. I saw it with my waking eyes and in my dreams. Didn’t that mean I was already corrupted?
20
ESMIRA
We followed the curving staircase up to the rooftop and with each step my trepidation grew. It was oddly silent. We saw no bodies, no worshipers, no priests or priestesses, but the signs of struggle were evident. Dried blood, pieces of hair, torn clothing. The sour stench of fear was ripe and suddenly I wondered if I’d heard the people in the village correctly. Were they rejoicing because Methrin had returned or because they assumed he’d come to save them from whatever nightmare waited here?
When Methrin pushed open the door that led onto the rooftop, a deep, guttural laugh came. “So. The tortured hero returns.”
“A Destroyer? I don’t believe it,” Methrin whispered.
“What is it?” I asked, hanging back.
“A demon of the stars, it—I’ll explain later. Stay here, I’m going to fight it.”
“Why?” I panicked, not wanting to be left alone.
“It is one thing to practice magic and another to use it in battle,” he said gently.
He did not think I was ready to fight and I nodded because he was right. I wasn’t ready. Still, relief did not fill me as Methrin stepped onto the rooftop.
“What have you done?” Methrin demanded.
The dark voice came again, this time layered with many other voices. “You’re the one who went insane, with your mirrors and shadows. Then you disappeared and left this land unprotected.”
“So you thought you could come here and steal our magic, like you’ve done elsewhere.”
“My brethren deserve to thrive.”
“At the expense of others?”
“You’ve had your time. Your kind has ruled worlds, the age of the Everminati is over. Now, it’s our turn.”
“Not yet,” Methrin growled.
Despite his suggestion to stay put, I pushed open the door and peeked around it.
My blood froze. An enormous three-headed dog stood on the expansive rooftop. Each foot had curved claws and bat-like wings spread from its back, beating the air. When it barred its teeth, blood dripped from between its canines, and three tails with barbs on the end swished. The white rock of the rooftop had once been beautiful but now was streaked with claw marks, blood, and other gore I dared not try to distinguish.
Yellow eyes blinked at me, and the voice came softer this time. “Who might this be?”
Methrin glanced back at me, his expression blank.Facing the Destroyer again he only said, “No one you need to concern yourself with. I’ve come to ask you to leave, and if you will not go voluntarily, I will make you.”
The Destroyer wagged its three heads and a low growl spilled from its throat. “All who’ve attempted to stop me have perished. You shall be the same.”
Then it leaped.
