Page 12 of The Midwinter Mirror
“So why come this way?”
I shrug, feeling a little uncomfortable when I can’t come up with a sensible answer. “I don’t know. Just a feeling, and Milo has a thing about Silvergate.” I shrug again. “Anyway, I came here and I found him.”
We’re just coming into the clearing now, and I sense his hesitation. A bleak look flashes across his face. This has to be so hard for him. Then his expression is wiped clean, and he steps into the clearing.
I wave my hand. “He was over there, huddled by that rock. He was crying and so upset. He said he’d followed the bells with all the other children, but he couldn’t keep up because of his leg, and he fell behind. By the time he got here, they were all gone. He was mumbling about presents and a fabulous place, and—I don’t know. He wasn’t making any sense.”
I follow him into the clearing, a pressure blooming behind my eyes—like a storm gathering in my skull.
Zayne walks around, his fingers gliding over the rocks as he passes. He crouches down at the spot where I found Milo, a faraway expression on his face as though he’s listening to something distant. Then he straightens and stands with his head thrown back, breathing deeply.
“What are you doing, Zayne?”
He turns slowly to look at me, and there’s something in his eyes—something wild, dark, and fierce. For a second, they seem to flash yellow—a trick of the light? Then he gives a little shudder, and they’re back to normal.
His gaze meets mine. “Can’t you feel it?” he asks.
“Feel what?” I reply. I have a suspicion he’s about to say something I won’t like, and I’m not ready for it. I’ve had enough this morning. I just want to go back, eat breakfast, and pretend everything is normal. But how can I, with all the children missing?
“Can’t you feel the hum in the air? The magic?”
Grrr.“Magic? Nope. Not happening. I’d sooner believe in Santa Claus riding through on a reindeer.” I shake my head. “I don’t believe this. I always thought you felt the same way about it as I did. When we used to talk about getting away from Elderfell, that was one of the things—escaping all the stupidity.”
“Well, I got away—and I learned a few things. And believe me, we were wrong. Magic exists.”
“Oh.” I turn away, shove my hands deeply into my pockets, and hunch my shoulders against the cold. But he’s not finished yet.
“There’s a portal close by. Somewhere really close. I’m guessing the children disappeared through that, and it closed behind them.”
The pressure flares sharp, like a migraine about to pounce. I whirl around. “A portal? You’re serious? That’s your answer—a magical portal that vanished into nothing?” I grit my teeth. “Great. You left, got taller, and came back sounding like every other Elderfell nutcase.”
He chuckles at that, and I stomp my foot. God, he’s annoying. I’d forgotten how annoying. “Can we go back now? Can we go do something useful?”
“Well, we can go back, but whether we can do something useful is another matter. But I do want to talk to Josh.”
“Josh—your little brother? Why?”
He shrugs. “He’s got a feeling for these things.”
“A feeling? Really?” I’m so mad I could spit. I’d expected something better from Zayne. He’s just turned into one of thevillagers. He got away from here, came back, and he’s changed, yes—but he’s changed for the worse.
“Right then. Let’s go talk to Josh. I’m sure that’s going to be a lot of help.” I huff and start walking back to the house.
He lingers a moment longer, then jogs to catch up with me. To my surprise, he hooks a hand through my arm, and warmth flows through me. I should yank away. Instead, I let him keep it. Weak, weak, weak.
He lowers his head and whispers in my ear, his breath hot against my skin. “Admit it, princess. You’re glad I’m back.”
I bite my lip and walk faster.
Chapter 5
She Thinks I’m Hot
Zayne
Ialways knew there was something dodgy about Silvergate.
Now I know what that is. There’s a fucking mirror there. It’s hidden, but the hum in the air is unmistakable. Mirror magic.
