by Sela Croft
I was to be the king of Shadowland, when proof of my fitness was indisputable. If I succeeded in blocking Seth’s dark rampage and taking his power, that would be proof enough. The clues from the past were making some sense, after all.
Callie waited, silent and unmoving.
“I agree that the opposing realms were created for a purpose. But that was long ago; it’s ancient history,” I said. “Times have changed, and life has taken different paths. It’s vital for Seth to accept that.”
My heart told me that I was right. When I’d followed Callie on her quest to save Rosamon, my own sister had supported my decision. She had told me to follow my heart, and I intended to continue doing so. My love was in more danger than ever. Whatever I thought I’d saved her from, paled in comparison to what was to come.
Seth’s purpose was to take over the world, and he wouldn’t stop with the magical realms. He wouldn’t end his reign of terror until the human realm was in the palm of his hand. Such gloom was nearly impossible to conceive of, but I must.
Callie, my only true love, would have no future at all. And I would have no claim to happiness but only misery. It was time to rise and to take my position as king. But first I must fight the formidable enemy who could wipe out all light. And I had to win.
“We must make Seth see that his aims are futile,” I said.
“That’s impossible,” Callie said. “Seth has one goal and is blind to all else. There is no way to convince him to change his mind.” She paused. “There is only one answer: he must be stopped.”
“I agree, so let’s use the knowledge we have to attack, to block his intrusion into the realms,” I said.
Callie shook her head. “No, you can’t. The only ones who can go are Rosamon and I.” She spoke mechanically, but the impact of what she implied still shook me to my core.
“I must go with you. I insist. We are stronger together…you know that.”
“My sister and I are the only ones with Seth’s sorcerous blood,” Callie said. “That means we are the only ones who can defeat him. No one else can stand against him.”
I shuddered at the implications. Sending Callie and Rosamon into Fae territory without me was certain suicide. Sorceress blood or not, the twins were novices at magic. I’d been practicing mine for centuries. Plus, I had vampire strength greater than Callie’s.
She was a newborn vampire, still developing. She hadn’t fed enough to acquire the power she would ultimately possess. What she needed was more high-quality human blood and time to build herself up. Magic wasn’t instantaneous, as often thought. It required practice and dedication.
Unfamiliarity with abilities led to mistakes, and any error might mean death. I couldn’t allow it. There was no way that Callie should travel to Fae land with Rosamon. It was unwise to leave me behind, and I wouldn’t agree to such folly.
Callie looked at me and our gazes locked. Anxiety riddled through me. She’d suddenly become like a stranger to me. My true love was slipping away.
Chapter 18
Logan
My heart ached as though an unseen fist squeezed it. Callie had just threatened to leave, to travel to a dangerous kingdom without me. “No, my love. We are going to face danger together.”
Callie stepped into my arms and I hugged her tight. My hope soared that she would listen to me, that I’d thwarted any plan to go off alone. Then she slipped from my embrace and took my hand.
She looked into my eyes, her expression sad. But I sensed her determination. “Logan, you must hear what I tell you.” My love squeezed my hand. “You once abandoned your kingdom to help me. I’ll always love you for that selfless act and admire you for following your heart.”
I cringed with dread at what she would say next.
“I cannot allow you to make the same mistake again,” Callie said. “It’s unwise to leave your people without a leader. The consequences would be very unfortunate. It’s your duty to return to Shadowland and prepare your kingdom for what is to come.”
It couldn’t be happening. Callie couldn’t be serious. “I don’t care. You know that you are the most important to me. Have I not shown that, over and over?”
“Yes, you have,” Callie said. “I don’t deny that.”
Yet she didn’t say that she loved me, that she didn’t want to be apart. There was no emotion and I didn’t feel the bond between us that had to be there. It must be there. If it wasn’t, then all was for naught. Without Callie, life may as well not continue.
“Logan…I will be with you always. I promise you that,” Callie said. “But understand that Rosamon and I need to make this journey to the Fae lands. We must confront our father directly. If there is a chance that he will listen to anyone, it is us. We are his daughters; we are of the same blood.”
I didn’t believe for a second that the father-daughter connection would sway Seth. He was ruthless and heartless. Yet—even though moments before I’d been adamant that Callie give up her ill-conceived plan—she’d begun to convince me.
Although, I wouldn’t have believed that I’d be able to separate from Callie, it started to make sense. Part of me cried out that it was wrong, that I must stay with my love—yet my resistance had weakened. The rational side of me argued against letting her go, but emotion took over and persuaded me to agree with her.
While I spoke to Callie, it had been as though we were in a world of our own. The others had been studying the mirrors, or so I assumed. My attention had been riveted on my dearest love and my heart hurt. She was going to leave me, but I saw no way to dissuade her.
“Please, don’t worry,” Callie said. “I will stay in contact. I will be with you always.”
The way she repeated what she’d said a moment ago seemed off, but that was the least of my worries. She could have said anything, and it wouldn’t have mattered. The only thing I wanted to hear was that she’d changed her mind and would stay. Yet I knew that was the one thing she wouldn’t say.
“How will you keep in touch with me?” That was a question I needed her to answer. So long as I could stay in touch, I would know how she fared. And if she was in trouble or needed me, I’d go immediately.
Callie glanced at a low table I hadn’t noticed before. It was beside the mirror. She bent to pick up a small hand mirror. The item was made of tortoiseshell with a circular glass for reflection.
“Keep this mirror with you, while I am away.” Callie handed the mirror to me. With its tiny size, it sat easily in the palm of my hand.
Then Callie took another hand mirror for herself. “These special mirrors will allow us to remain in contact with each other, no matter how far apart we are.”
When Callie leaned close, I pulled her into my arms. Her lips touched mine, and I deepened the kiss. Her sweet lips made me tingle, and her tender touch moved me deeply. I prayed that fate would return her to me. And balked at releasing her from my embrace.
I breathed deeply to inhale her scent, but it escaped me. She was a vampire, the same as I was, so human blood no longer flowed in her veins. Yet her vampire-sorceress blood had smelled just as sweet to me, after her transformation.
It worried me that I couldn’t pick up her scent. Possibly, the stress of the circumstances had thrown me off balance. But it hadn’t happened before. I’d expected to breath in Callie’s scent whenever she was near, to recognize it, and feel the familiar craving.
It was not the time to bring it up. I wanted Callie to leave with love in her heart and certainty that I was with her, completely. There was no reason to suggest any doubt; it would only make things worse. I kept my curiosity to myself. Once she returned safely, I could unravel the mystery about why I couldn’t pick up her scent as before.
Regretfully, I watched Callie walk over the others. I followed but stayed back, a bit at a loss. Amalia looked up as Callie appeared to say something to her.
Noah and Rosamon stood close, in front of the mirror that Amalia had been studying. They seemed to be listening to what Callie said. I
had the urge to go to them, overcome with the sense that I shouldn’t miss what Callie told them.
It had to be important, because it was about her intention to leave. Yet I didn’t witness surprise on their faces. As Callie spoke, the others gave her their rapt attention.
Some force kept me back. Whether it was my own reservations, or something else, I couldn’t say. I could have easily transported across the room to Callie, even prevented her from leaving. But I didn’t. Instead, I observed from a distance, unable to hear what story she told the others.
I didn’t sense any disagreement. Whatever plan she put forth, it seemed acceptable to the others. Only Noah exhibited any sign of shock. I saw him shake his head. But then he calmed. By his body language, he wasn’t tense or resistive.
In the back of my mind, a voice whispered hope that Noah would stop them. My gut told me that this wasn’t wise, that something bad was going to happen. Since Callie had moved away from me, I no longer felt as convinced as I had been.
The longer she stood with the others, talking them into going along with her scheme, the more alarmed I became. I couldn’t fathom what had gotten into me or why I’d agreed to let Callie leave. It was insane. There was no circumstance that I could conceive of, where I would willingly let my love go off without me.
Morrigan was behind me, busy with some other task.
I glanced at Callie, but she disappeared. My heart pounded, and I raced forward. The others were gone too. Rosamon, Noah, and Amalia had stepped into the mirror with Callie then vanished.
The mirror’s glass showed only my reflection. Frantically, I spun in a circle, half thinking that my love would reappear with the others.
Morrigan strode across the room to stare at the mirror.
“What just happened?” I said.
But the sorceress didn’t say a word.
Chapter 19
Amalia
On the other side of the mirror was Fae land. I arrived with Callie, Rosamon, Natasha, and Noah. This realm was home, or it should have been. Yet it wasn’t welcoming.
The others stood slightly behind me, waiting for me to lead. Since it was my home turf, that made sense. I should have been pleased to return, happy to be back. Instead, my stomach pitched, and my head reeled.
Overcome with horrible sickness, I wrapped my arms around my waist and closed my eyes. The ailment was more debilitating than before. The last time I’d been in my land had been awful, in so many ways. The instant I arrived with the group, it hadn’t been better; it had been worse.
Evil permeated my kingdom and seeped in, poisoning my body. Pushing down my nausea did little good, the sensation intensified. My breathing grew shallow.
“What’s the matter?” Natasha said, alerting the others to my trauma.
When they crowded around, my state worsened, deep-seated sickness taking hold. There was no space, no air. “Move back,” I said in a raspy voice.
There was room to reach out, so I was less claustrophobic. When I opened my eyes to gaze up at the sky, it was as dark as I remembered. But a sorcerer’s spell cast a shadow of gloom over the otherwise lovely heavens overhead.
The others waited, giving me time to readjust. My soul was tainted by the unwelcome presence in my realm. Deep inside, I was changed, as distorted as my warped face. And the horrifying part was that, for as long as I was in Fae territory, my decline would progress unchecked.
There was no goodness to offset the damage being done. The kingdom was dominated by a ruthless being, a sorcerer bent on amassing power. Blocking out the images of what Seth had done to me was impossible.
The event had destroyed my beauty, inside and out. My ability had been turned against me to ravage and disfigured me. The act had been perpetrated with ill intent. Seth’s jealousy knew no bounds. He couldn’t tolerate another with power to rival his.
There had been one alternative, and he’d accomplished that. Under the onslaught of his perverted magic, I’d been damaged beyond repair. He’d hoped to maim me so badly that I couldn’t function at all; I was sure of it.
Yet I’d managed to escape, just barely. My very life had been at risk, because I’d refused to cower to the monster. Seth had been unable to control his rage, so would have gone too far. Or maybe it was what he’d intended all along: to wipe me from this world so he could take it for his own.
If I’d been the only casualty, I might have retained hope. My kingdom relied on its king, not only its princess. Even in my absence, the monarchy would remain intact. The ruler could be counted on, my people would be cared for.
But that could not be allowed. Seth had other ideas, all aimed at destruction. The memory made me cringe with horror.
Jabari was my father, the king of the Fae territory. He was wise and capable. Although he’d been ill of late, he’d ruled with a strong hand, confident in his decisions. His subjects respected him and honored him as their king.
Over the centuries, my father had earned his title and proven his worth. His deeds inspired awe throughout the kingdom. And his fierceness was a legend, spoken of far and wide.
Grief consumed me. Visions of what Seth had done to my father filled my mind. Jabari, my dear father had been handsome with his square jaw and wide shoulders, indications of his strength. His blue eyes had been orbs that radiated light and intensity.
Standing before him, no one could have denied the striking image. All he’d had to do was gaze down upon an enemy to weaken the opponent. His piercing eyes had instilled fear in any who dared to cross him. And on the day in question, he’d worn ceremonial robes, proud of his role as king.
Seth had ordered my father to submit, to abdicate from the throne and recognize his new superior. He’d threatened instant death if he did not. It seemed that the sorcerer wished to rule the kingdom and had assumed my father would support him. Yet it hadn’t been that simple.
Jabari had fought against him, using his most powerful magic. It had been an amazing spectacle. I’d been hopeful my father would win and end the scourge to our land. Yet Seth had proved to be indomitable. And after what he’d done, my father had ardently wished for the ongoing illness he suffered to take him, so he wouldn’t have to endure life as he what he’d become.
The spells Seth had cast had been beyond my skill level, or my father’s. Stunned, I’d witnessed Seth cripple my father and disfigure him beyond recognition. Yet he hadn’t killed him. Instead, he’d railed at the high court, telling all that Jabari would be kept alive as an example of what would happen to any who defied the new master of the Fae kingdom.
My land, my father, my own body had been ravaged by the evil sorcerer; the crimes incited rage. I seethed with fury and I swore I’d destroy Seth. There had to be a way to do so, and I’d find it. The thought of killing him made me salivate, and the horrible illness that had seeped into my bones, temporarily abated.
Noah touched my arm, rousing me from reverie. “Amalia?” he said. “What shall we do?”
The part of the mushroom forest that surrounded us was familiar. The place we’d arrived was one I knew well. “There is danger about,” I said. “We aren’t going to be safe in the open for long.”
“Where should we go?” Natasha said.
“There is only one place to go,” I said. “I’ll need to alert my people and let them know that I’ve brought help.”
A blinding blue light lit the forest, aimed like a laser toward the location I intended to go. It was my beacon, the method devised to keep in communication. It was proprietary, so radiated on a frequency that the enemy couldn’t access.
Callie stood next to Rosamon, blocking my path, which annoyed me. “Move aside,” I said. “We must go.”
“No, we can’t,” Callie said. “It’s vital that we go straight to my father. We need to stop him.”
Rosamon nodded. “My sister is right. There is no time to waste.”
“You will not be safe until we know the situation at the court,” I said. “That means that we have to talk to the ot
hers.”
“What others?” Noah said.
“Before I left, I organized a resistance to Seth’s campaign.” I sensed an urgency to return to them. I’d received a reply to my beacon. “I left spies behind to keep watch on the Fae court and the sorcerer’s activities. Our priority is to find out what they’ve learned.”
Chapter 20
Callie
I’d been in my childhood home with the others. When Logan had left for a minute to talk to Noah, I’d gazed into the mirror before me. I remembered now, it had been my own reflection. But when I’d reached out and touched the glass, I’d felt strange.
In a flash, I’d been dizzy, affected by sudden vertigo. Instantly, I’d been on the other side of the mirror. I’d stared back at the mirror, able to see into the room I’d left. Then I’d seen Logan speaking to an image that appeared to be me. The image of myself stood in the very spot where I’d stood, only a second before.
Maybe I could get back and find out what was going on. I reached out to touch the mirror, but it was unresponsive. It seemed to be a one-way method of transportation. I could leave through it but couldn’t return.
That was not good. Some other me was talking to Logan. And I had no idea what was being said. Hopefully, the live reflection knew what had happened, so she could tell him how to get me back. Helplessly, I watched the conversation.
Logan seemed puzzled and a little upset. That was no mystery. I’d just disappeared through a mirror. He certainly wouldn’t be pleased. Then I watched with curiosity as my animated reflection on the other side of the glass handed a small hand mirror to Logan, then took one for herself.
Surely, he was as confused as I was about how a reflection could come to life, step out of the mirror, then act like a real person. But before I could discern any more of what transpired, the window to the room closed. The mirror turned back into reflective glass.
I stared at myself in the mirror, surrounded by images of the location I’d popped into. My situation was shocking, to say the least. The environment was foreign, plus, I was all alone. I struggled to reorient and gain a sense of what was around me.