12. Esmira #2
At last we came to a gaping opening surrounded by a mound of stones. Rydlin waved his staff. “We’ve reached the caves,” he announced.
As we walked toward them, a low growl vibrated the ground, and a massive beast stomped into our path.
It walked on two tree-like legs, with two smaller ones held in front of its massive body.
A sharp row of fangs hung out of its snout and blood from a fresh kill dripped down its teeth.
With eyes on either side of its snout, I wasn’t sure it saw us until it roared.
A blast of rotten meat filled the air and it was Lyra who screamed as the beast lowered its head and charged. My fingertips tingled, and I flung out my hands, sending a shower of mirror shards into the creature’s throat.
It choked .
Swayed.
Fell.
All eyes turned to me as my trembling hands fell to my side. How had I done that? I hadn’t even thought about it, it just happened.
Lyra touched my arm, a pained smile on her face. “Thank you, Esmira.”
Rydlin leaned over the beast and poked at it. “Now that’s unusual. One of the predators. We must have disturbed its nest.”
“When was the last time you were here?” Methrin asked.
“I haven’t been back,” Rydlin said and disappeared into the cave.
Methrin’s face was tight with displeasure as he followed. “How do you know it’s still there? Unbroken?” he demanded. “Or that it’s the right mirror.”
I glanced at Lyra before following them inside, a lump of disappointment building. Methrin’s questions were reasonable but I assumed he’d asked them before we’d come all this way. Not now as we stepped into the coolness of the cave.
“Do you doubt me now?” Rydlin called back to Methrin. “The mirror is protected by magic and the symbols on it . . . you will recognize it when you see it.”
Rydlin chanted as he walked, causing glimmers of light to flash from his staff. The air became clearer and less resistant. I didn’t need Lyra to confirm that he was taking down his magical wards.
Finally, he paused in front of a narrow nook then slipped inside .
A moment later he poked out his head. “Come.”
Methrin followed him and Lyra gestured for me to go next. I slipped into the passage, two walls so close together it was almost impossible to move between without touching them.
I stepped down into a room with a pool, ivy growing along the walls and a shaft of light pouring in.
There was nothing else there and for a moment I thought we had it all wrong until Methrin kneeled at the side of the pool.
He peered down into it, then back up at Rydlin.
“I see,” he said, voice low with reverence.
Lyra came through last. “Where is it, Father?”
Rydlin pointed to the pool with his staff, a pleased expression on his face.
“Esmira.” Methrin held out his hand.
Gathering my cloak, I kneeled beside him.
Palms flat on the stone, I peered into the water, breath catching as it rippled.
At the bottom of the shallow pool lay a mirror hewn into the stone.
Symbols had been carved into the stone surrounding it, some similar to the symbols I’d seen in the palace.
The water rippled and mist unfurled, beckoning me.
My heart raced, and wordless whispers hummed at the back of my skull.
An unnatural glow came from my fingertips.
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 into my 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.
The shadow shook, not with fear but with laughter. Oh foolish princess, I’ve already won.
Something cold caressed my cheek, and my vision swam.
The monster vanished, taking its foul laughter with it.
My shoulders sagged with relief but not for long. An army of those wailing shadows hurled toward me. Light glowed from my fingertips, and I hurled magic at those creatures. Mirror shards flew at them and a sudden buoyancy of energy coursed through me.
Behind me came shouting. Methrin? Lyra?
The shadows parted and the light bloomed again, brighter this time. I ran toward it, desperate to escape the creepy mirrorverse. If Methrin had been stuck in this hell for years, how had he survived without going mad?
A frame appeared around the light, the edges of a mirror, the lip of a step and great columns on the other side. I flung myself at it and was thrown violently backward. I landed on my back, the wind knocked out of me. I lay back, gasping.
Suddenly strong hands were around me, pulling me up. Methrin?
“Esmira,” he said. “You have to open the gates. Use your magic, just the way you freed me.”
He helped me to my feet, guided me near the light.
I lifted my hands and pressed them against the surface, holding still, letting magic do the work. It rolled out of me, unexplainable, uncontrollable. Vaguely I was aware of Methrin holding me up and Lyra on the other side of me. “They are coming back,” she warned.
“Esmira,” Methrin encouraged, his voice calm, steady.
Slowly the light shifted. Glass appeared, a barrier between worlds. As my hands touched it, the glass warped then shattered with a terrible roar. I felt as though my insides had been sucked out and my vision went dizzy again as Methrin carried me through the mirror.
A high pitched screamed filled the air and a stern voice ordered, “Don’t move.”