by Sela Croft
“I was unware that he had an inner circle,” I said.
“That doesn’t surprise me. The group met in private. I rarely saw them.”
“What do you mean by betrayed us?” Noah said.
I took a deep breath and collected my thoughts. I knew I could trust Noah, especially if it came to ensuring Callie’s safety. I wasn’t as familiar with Alerick, but I had to take my chances. The situation was dire, and I needed answers.
“Dequan is a traitor,” I said. “He’s working with the Fae.”
“That can’t be,” Alerick said. “He wouldn’t do such a thing.”
Noah cut him off. “He would.”
“You were aware of his treason?” I said.
Noah shook his head. “No, but it all makes sense now. He wanted me gone, because I might interfere.”
A tense silence filled the room, and anxiety gripped me. Then Noah said what I feared the most. “Callie is in grave danger.”
Chapter 37
Callie
With the vampires still in tow, I followed Dequan into a well-hidden elevator, in a corner of Logan’s home. “Maybe I should wait and tell Logan where I’m going,” I said.
The sleek, metallic elevator car shuddered to life.
“There isn’t time,” Dequan said. “The channel to communicate with your sister is only open for a short time.”
“How do you know that?”
“There isn’t time to go into detail. As you have already acknowledged, magic is a topic that is lost on you.”
I should have been offended, but he was right that I had no idea how magic worked. But I had promised Logan I would stay in his home until he returned.
A door slid open, revealing a small, private patio. “I just think that, maybe—”
“If you want to go back that’s your decision,” Dequan said, then led the group forward. “If your loyalty to Logan is more important than your loyalty to your sister…”
“That’s not fair,” I said, following them out. “My sister is the most important person in the world to me.”
“Then I don’t understand your hesitation.”
Hearing him state it so bluntly made me feel that the choice was simple. Yet, following him past the pleasant patio into the chaos of the city, I couldn’t help but feel like there was something I was missing.
I ached to return to the safety of Logan's floating mansion, despite my loyalty to my sister.
Perhaps it was the lack of trust in Dequan. Or the way his goons looked at me, as if waiting for me to figure something out. We turned down one street, then another, with no apparent path. It was a part of the city I wasn’t familiar with, and the deeper we went the more uncomfortable I was.
An ominous feeling rose within me, and I couldn’t shake it.
The middle of the square resembled a scene from Europe, as pretty as a picture. There were panes of frosted glass and some of a mirrored material and others with lovely stained-glass windows. The uneven cobblestone streets were adorned with ceramic pots of blooming flowers.
But as beautiful as the streets were, they were empty. The square was deserted, but Dequan paid no heed to that. Without looking back, he went down a narrow alley.
“Where are we going?” I said, unable to put aside my concern.
“I told you already,” Dequan said. “We’re going to talk to your sister.” Halfway down the alley, he took another sharp turn. I had to hurry to keep up, afraid that he would change course again, before I had a chance to get my bearings.
“Do we need to take such a winding path?” I said. “It seems like we’ve taken half a dozen turns.”
“It’s for your safety, Callie.”
“My safety?”
“You can’t tell me that you have yet to accept your importance in this realm. Surely, Logan has told you of the danger you face being out in the open.”
“He mentioned something about the other side wanting me.”
“There you have it, straight from the mouth of the prince.”
“I still don’t understand how taking so many turns and zigzagging around ensures my safety,” I said, eyeing a building I was nearly certain we had already passed—twice.
“The city is not safe, Callie. Any obvious movements may arouse unwanted suspicion.”
I wondered by whom, noting yet again the absence of people around.
“We don’t want the wrong people noticing you, now do we? Remember what happened back at the prison?”
I was compelled to nod. That was one memory I wanted to forget but couldn’t. The memory of that stranger wrapping his arms around me, and whisking me away, made a lump of fear form in my gut.
Dequan glanced at me. “The city is not as safe as it once was. Any open movements might be noticed by the wrong people, just like those you encountered at the prison tower.”
I began to investigate each corner, peer into every window, afraid that someone was hiding there, watching me—hunting me. Dequan’s presence no longer annoyed me. I bordered on being thankful for his company, as he took me down yet another winding street.
In the distance, there were loud noises and shouting. “Wait,” I said then stopped walking.
“It’s nothing,” Dequan said, and motioned for me to follow him.
“No, someone is yelling,” I said, standing my ground. “They sound hurt.”
I continued to listen, the sounds more distinct. It wasn’t just one person yelling, it was a group—screaming in off-pitch harmony that muddled their words, but still communicated their overall message. The screams were cries for help.
“Something is going on,” I said, then craned my head around to get a better view.
When I took a step back, Dequan reached out and grabbed my hand, pulling me around the side of a building, just as something caught my attention.
“Hey!” I exclaimed, then wrenched my arm free of his grasp. “What do you think you’re doing?”
“Keeping you safe.”
“Safe from what?”
“You didn’t see that?”
“I was trying to.”
“It was a dragon.”
“Then it must have been Valter. Why would you need to keep me safe from him?”
“Not him, whatever or whomever he’s fighting,” Dequan said.
“If they’re fighting, shouldn’t we try to figure out how to help?”
“There’s no telling what’s going on over there, Callie. It’s nothing, I’m sure.”
“You weren’t so sure when you pulled me around this wall.”
“Fine, it’s not nothing,” he said, clearly annoyed. “But you don’t need to be concerned. It’s just the typical problems the city has been facing from Fae spies, insurgents, and the like. The trouble will resolve, as it usually does.”
Without waiting for me to reply, he spun around and marched down the dark alley he had pulled me into. His group of followers fell into step behind him, some looking back to make sure I would follow.
Of course, I would follow. I had no choice. I didn’t know where we were. I’d lost count of the turns and twists, and was confused by all the changes in direction. I was overwhelmed by my surroundings, and the reality that a war was taking place nearby increased my unease.
“Are you sure they’ll be alright?” I said, hurrying to catch up. “Valter and Logan and the others?”
“I’m sure they will figure it out,” Dequan said and smiled at me. “They always do.”
Chapter 38
Callie
Suddenly, Dequan stopped, and I nearly plowed into the vampires ahead of me. That seemed to amuse them.
Dequan stood over me with his arms crossed. “We’re here.”
“I assumed so,” I said, and got my first views of our destination. The building in front of us wasn’t large, but struck me with a sense of awe. It was different than the buildings around it, and those we’d passed along the way.
It didn’t shimmer, in the way Shadowland structures often did. It
was made of weathered, gray stone. Vines grew up the sides, wrapped through the gaping windows and around the rusted pipes, then trickled down its sides.
There was something imposing about it. Even dwarfed by the sparkling glass buildings surrounding it, the structure drew my eye. I took a slow step back. “We’re going in there?”
“Of course,” Dequan said with a chuckle. “But not yet. You wait here.”
As was his way, he didn’t wait for me to respond. He approached the large wooden doors that had been decorated with ornate designs. But all that remained of the designs was a few faint outlines of images I couldn’t make out. There was one massive doorknob in the center of one door, and along the seam where the two doors came together was a system of intricate locks.
While I held my breath, Dequan worked the locks. The process was long and complicated, much like the route we had taken to arrive at that strangely terrifying place. I tried to memorize his movements, but they blurred as he worked to open the massive doors.
After what felt like an eternity, there was a loud clank, followed by a low, rumbling creak. As if moving on their own accord, the doors drifted open, just enough for our small entourage to squeeze through.
Dequan led the way. One of his men pushed at my back, making it obvious that I was expected to go second. Having come this far, I wasn’t going to turn back, no matter how badly I wanted to.
The space we entered was no more inviting than the exterior that had greeted us. As I squeezed through the door, I found myself at the entrance to a long passageway. The lighting was dim, but not so dim that I didn’t notice the cobwebs hanging from every corner, every broken lamp, and even the walls themselves. The air was damp and tasted of mold. The floors creaked under my feet as I followed Dequan deeper into the ghoulish space.
“Are you sure we have to do this here?” I said, slowing my pace.
My stomach fluttered with nerves and I had the urge to run in the opposite direction.
“Maybe we can find a less haunted place to talk to my sister.”
“This is where it has to be,” Dequan said, then turned to face me. “I know it’s not the most pleasant, but I wouldn’t have brought you here unless it was absolutely necessary.”
“It doesn’t seem safe.”
“And when has that ever stopped you before?” Dequan crossed his arms over his chest and leaned back on his heels. “The Shadowland wasn’t safe, but you came, anyway.”
“I didn’t plan to come here.”
“If you had known what you do now—all the dangers that reside here, the turmoil, the war—would you have chosen any differently, knowing that Rosamon was here?”
“Of course not.”
“And what about when you left Logan’s home with Noah?”
“I think we can all agree that wasn’t one of my more brilliant ideas.”
Dequan narrowed his eyes. “And why is that?”
“Because it was stupid.”
“Because it was dangerous. But you did it, because you thought it would bring you closer to your sister.”
“I would do anything to be with her, again.”
“Exactly, so this is no different. You’re brave, Callie. Are you really going to let a few cobwebs keep you from the one thing you’ve been working toward since you arrived?”
Brave wasn’t a word I would have used to describe myself. But his words did summon some hidden seed of courage buried deep. That was my sister we were talking about. I would do anything to find her.
And here I was, so close to being able to communicate with her. In this abandoned building was a portal or a chamber that would allow me to speak to her, to feel her presence again.
I looked down the hallway. It didn’t seem as terrifying as it had a moment before. A few cobwebs shouldn’t scare me. The church we’d played in back home had been filled with them. They hadn’t bothered me there.
I had to think of this strange place as simply another old building, waiting to be explored. This was a game of hide-and-seek. Rosamon was in there, waiting for me to find her.
“I wouldn’t ask you to do something you don’t want to,” Dequan said. “But, may I remind you that an opportunity like this one may not arise again? And time is growing short, Callie. This is your chance—your only chance—to fulfill your mission.”
I nodded. “Fine…let’s go.”
He didn’t wait for me to second guess myself. Turning, he clapped his hands together, and his entourage marched down the hall. I hurried along, pushing aside my apprehension.
It appeared that we were in an old home. It must have been a beautiful place. The remains of its glory days lay scattered about—paintings hanging lopsided on their hooks, large rooms with bits of antique furniture sprawled about, faded and covered in dust.
We didn’t go into any of the rooms lining the hall. We were headed for the large wooden doors directly in front of us. Unlike the doors leading into the forgotten place, these doors seemed better preserved. The patterns were easier to make out. On one, I saw a pleasant scene of gardens with winged fairy-like creatures spotting the landscape. On the other, a beautiful woman stood, with her arms outstretched.
My eyes drifted over the scenes, taking them in before Dequan pushed the doors open. As his hands reached out, I noticed instantly that the large brass handles weren’t covered in dust. Someone had recently visited that room.
“Are you ready?” Dequan said, then leaned his shoulder against the door to shove it open.
“I guess I have to be,” I said and followed him into the room.
Dequan ordered two of the vampires to stand guard. "For your protection," he said to me.
I didn't have a response. I was too busy trying to contain the excitement at the prospect of speaking to my sister. With only the slightest hesitation, I walked deeper into the room. But the place was empty. The ceilings were higher than they appeared to be from the outside, and the walls were decorated with ornately carved wood panels. It was a large room that might have served as a dining room or a gathering place.
“Why are we…?” I said, but then my eyes fell on the one piece of furniture tucked into the far corner of the room. “A mirror?”
It was an enormous antique. It's size and age weren't what drew my attention to it, though. It was perfectly round.
"I've never seen a mirror quite like this before," I said, then inched toward it.
Chapter 39
Callie
When I stepped closer, something from the other side of the shining, reflective surface reached out and grabbed me. The connection was strong and startling.
My own reflection peered back at me.
My eyes were wide with confusion, apprehension in my movements. Behind me, the vampires who had joined us looked on, observing me with cautious glances. Dequan stood close beside me, the grin on his face the only thing in the room that wasn’t shrouded with concern.
“What is it?” I asked, turning to address Dequan. “It’s obviously not an ordinary mirror.”
“You are correct,” Dequan said and stepped forward. “It’s many things.”
I turned to face the mirror again. The surge of connection increased. My body tingled, and I took a hesitant step closer. My feet moved of their own accord. The mirror drew me in, something on the other side beckoned me.
It was a feeling I couldn’t explain. The connection wasn’t like the one I’d had with my sister. It wasn’t based on recognition. Perhaps mutual curiosity was the driving force. I wanted to know more about it, and it wanted to know more about me.
“It’s an ancient artifact,” Dequan said. “A piece of magical antiquity, you could say.”
“It’s magic?”
“Well, of course.”
“What kind of magic?” I said.
My long, dark hair cascaded down my side, and my bright, violet eyes went wide again. I wanted to reach out—to touch it. I wanted to embrace the energy pouring out of it. The closer I got, the stronger the attraction be
came. I could see how someone could become obsessed with magic if that was what it felt like. Just being near it made me want to delve deeper.
“A very powerful kind of magic. One that is unknown even to those of us who call this realm home.”
I stared. “What can it do?”
“Many things, but I’m afraid that we don’t have time to explore the options. We’re here to access one specific aspect of this vessel's magic—an aspect that has come to be one of its primary uses. This mirror can serve as a conduit, Callie. It can open up a line of communication between two individuals who are separated by a great distance.”
“Like Rosamon…and me.”
“Yes, that connection becomes even stronger when the two individuals already share a unique bond—a recognition, if you will—like the one you have with your sister.”
I recalled the last time I’d felt the unique connection I shared with my sister. It has been in my dream, where I’d been lost in a labyrinth. My journey to this place had been like that, one confusing turn after another, with no one around and no source of comfort.
“How does it work?” I said, pushing the thoughts from my mind.
“I’m so glad you asked,” Dequan said, appearing genuinely pleased by my inquiry.
He took a step forward and reached out, running his fingers along the mirror’s surface. It rippled, like water, as the image in front of us began to change. I no longer saw the room, or the faces of the vampires with inquisitive stares. The figures began to swirl around, blending together in a tight spiral that spun faster, with each second.
Mesmerized, I took another step toward the mirror. The pull grew as the shapes blurred. My mind began to shut down, as my body reacted to the force on the other side of the dizzying display.
My hand reached out. I didn’t feel it move, but felt the energy coming through the mirror took hold of it. The surge of connection slithered up my fingers, and they ached to make contact, with whatever it was that produced such an exhilarating sensation.
There was a growl, then a crash and a shout. The outside sounds broke my trance, and I regained control of my mind.