Page 132 of Lucifer's Mirror

“Remember what I said,” Khaosti murmurs. “If I say run, run.”

“Run where?”

“Go through one of the mirrors. I’ll find you. But—”

I don’t know what he plans to say next because at that moment, they appear in the doorway.

The man in front is dressed in white robes and carries a scepter with a huge piece of what looks like amber at the top. My fingers flash to my own necklace. The stone is warm to the touch.

He’s flanked by two men. I presume by their dress and the large number of weapons they’re brandishing that they are bodyguards.

He comes to a halt about five feet away and gives a smug smile. Up close, I can see the resemblance to Khaosti in the shape of his bones and the color of his eyes. A shiver of unease ripples through me.

Then the smile fades as he takes me in. “Where’s the Crone?” he says. “You had your orders; you were to bring me the girlandthe Crone.”

It takes a minute for the words to make sense. For a moment, disbelief holds me in thrall.

Orders?

He’s been working for his father all this time?

Khaosti says nothing, and I have to swallow the sickness rising in my stomach.

“Well?” Khronus snaps. “And the Mirror? You have it?”

Trystan’s words flash in my mind. It looks like he was right. I am fucking totally naïve. And an idiot. Khaosti was working for his father all along.

Bitterness swamps me. And pain. I think my heart is splintering as I stare at Khaosti. He turns to look at me, full panic in his eyes now.

“It was you,” I say. “You told him about me. All this time…” I shake my head, as though I can make the pain disappear. “You betrayed me.” I blink back tears. “Did you send him a message? Did you tell him where to find me?”

“No. It’s not like that.” He reaches for me, but I step back. “At the start, I just wanted to find out about Khendril. I saw no reason not to tell him. But that changed as I got to know you.Ichanged. You have to believe me, Amber. I would never betray you.”

Right now, it doesn’t matter. Because clearly, it’s over. At least they don’t know the new location of the mirror. Will they try to make me tell? Will Khaosti stand by and watch as his father tortures me? Though I doubt he’ll have much say in the matter.

My legs tremble, and I push the thought away. It’s not helping.

And it’s not just me I’ve let down with my stupidity. How many more will die?

It can’t end like this.

Khaosti’s eyes are filled with a pain to match my own. Is it real? He gives me one last look, then turns back to his father. “Let her go,” he says. And his voice reflects none of his inner turmoil. He moves slightly so he’s standing directly in front of me.

“You know that’s not going to happen. Step aside, boy.” He peers around Khaosti, a frown on his face as he studies me, as if I’m not what he expects. Then a slow smile of satisfaction curves his mouth. I don’t get a good feeling about this.

“I can’t do that,” Khaosti replies.

I stop breathing at his words. Will he defy his own father for me?

“Then you will no longer be my son,” Khronus says. “And you will regret this day’s actions. That I can promise.” He turns slightly. “Take them alive,” he orders the guards.

At the same moment, Khaosti shouts, “Run!”

He whirls around, grabs my arm, and we’re off. Side by side. I hear the guard behind us. Too close. We race through a doorway, and I search the mirrors. I have no clue where they go. But I suppose as long as it’s away from here, it has to be an improvement. But what’s to stop the guards from following?

I see a mirror that looks promising, the glass gleaming bright with magic.

Inside me, that spark of light springs to life. Panic and pain. Then something slams into my side. I’m ripped from Khaosti’s grasp, and I stumble and fall. At least, I thought there was something, but when I look, there’s nothing there. The pain radiates out from deep inside me.