Page 130 of Lucifer's Mirror
“I’m not dead wrong,” I say, and the tension slides from his shoulders.
He looks from me to the mirror behind me and back. “Your mother placed this here.”
“Yes. And she imprinted the memory in my mind along with the location of Lucifer’s Mirror.”
“Where is it? I presume you know which mirror to go through to get to where you need to be.”
“I don’t need to go through another. Lucifer’s Mirror is hidden in the chamber.”
His eyes widen. “What?”
“Yup. Hidden in plain sight. How neat is that?”
“So you plan to go to the chamber and steal a mirror right out from under my father’s nose.”
“Hardly under his nose.” At least I hope his nose and the rest of his body parts are nowhere near me. “And hardly stealing. It’s mine.”
He snorts. “I thought it was Lucifer’s?”
I shrug. “It’s complicated.” I think for a moment. “We came through the chamber okay when we traveled to Valandria,” I point out.
“We were almost caught.”
“But we weren’t. And I know exactly where I need to go. I’ll be in and out before you can say… werewolf.”
He scowls and shakes his head again, but I think I see a flicker of resignation on his face.
“Come on, Khaosti. This is what you saved me to do. This is what your brother trained me for. Don’t stand in my way now. Help me.”
He closes his eyes. When he opens them, he gives a nod. “But when we’re there,” he says, “you do exactly as I tell you. If I say run, you run.” He stares me in the eyes. “Understand.”
“Yes, sir.” I give him a mock salute, and he scowls.
“Don’t joke about this. My father is…” He seems at a loss for words. Maybe he doesn’t want to badmouth his dad. “My father does not like losing. And he’s a powerful man.”
He’s right. But I feel sort of lighthearted right now. I hadn’t admitted it to myself, but underneath, I was scared. Now, with Khaosti by my side, I feel like I can do anything. “I’m sorry. I didn’t mean to be flippant. I’ll do what you say.”
I’m not completely sure I’m telling the truth. But mostly.
I turn back to face the mirror. It looks so ordinary. Full length, with a plain gold frame. But when I step closer, the glass ripples.
“When do you want to do this?” Khaosti asks.
I look at him and consider putting it off just a little. Maybe he sees something in my gaze as a slow, sexy smile curves his lips. Warmth curls in my belly, and I lean toward him.
But no. It has to be done.
We could be there and back in ten minutes if it all goes smoothly. Then we can spend time together without this hanging over me. I give myself a little shake.
“Now,” I say.
He sighs but doesn’t argue.
I step toward the mirror, but he stops me with a hand on my arm. “I’ll go first,” he says. “Give me ten seconds. Then follow.”
I want to argue, but I don’t. Because he’s got this intractable, this-isn’t-open-for-discussion expression on his face. “Okay.”
I think I’ve surprised him again. He leans toward me and gives me a hard kiss on the mouth. Then he straightens and, without another word, steps through the mirror.
