Page 133 of Lucifer's Mirror

Oh god, it feels as though my whole body is splitting.

“Amber!”

I hear the call as though through deep water and force myself to concentrate. Khaosti looks terrified—I’ve never seen him terrified before. His eyes are wide as he stares at me. The guards have stopped. They’re not coming forward, just watching. Then Khronus appears. He’s focused on me, speaking to himself, his staff held out in front of him. Low words I can’t catch.

“What’s happening?” I struggle to get the words out through the pain. “What’s he doing?”

I look at Khronus, who is still muttering an incantation under his breath.

“He’s a Beastmaster,” Khaosti replies. “And he’s calling your beast.”

“I don’t have a beast.” But I know it’s not true. I can sense her—pain, rage, and confusion. “Tell him I’m Astrali. And I’m a woman. Tell him it’s pointless.” I can hear the rising panic in my voice, but I feel really freaking weird. “Tell him to stop.” I try to crawl back, but another wave of pain engulfs me. I’m going to puke. I stay on my hands and knees, head hanging as I pant through it. “You told me women don’t ever shift,” I snarl when I can.

“Accept it. It’s happening. You shouldn’t shift, but then you’ve never followed the rules. Now you need to get away before he succeeds. Because once you shift, he’ll control your every move.”

That doesn’t sound good.

Pain jabs me in the skull again. Deep inside me, she’s hammering to get out. I ride the wave of pain, then reach up and clutch Khaosti’s arm, dragging myself to my feet. I won’t let the bastard control me. Not happening. Finally, the pain wanes, and I’m left gasping for breath.

“How long have you known this?” I ask.

“Since we made love. I sensed your beast.”

I remember now. I’d pushed it from my mind, along with a lot of other stuff to think about later.

“Go,” he whispers. “While you still can. I’ll hold them off.”

“I’m not leaving you.” Even if he did betray me, he’s helping me now. And whatever he’s done, I can’t just stop loving him. Can you love someone and hate them at the same time?

“You have to. He’s my father. He won’t harm me. You’ve got things to do, Amber. Things that transcend you or me. And I’ll find you. I promise.”

I know he’s right, but I don’t want to go. I can feel the pain building again, and I know I can’t fight it anymore.

I hurl myself toward the nearest mirror. Through the searing agony, I hear Khaosti shout, the words cutting through the pain. “I choose you, Amber.”

I want to turn back to him, but it’s too late. Something tears inside me. I ignore it and keep moving. I hear a roar of rage behind me, but I don’t look back. Then I hear the clash of swords, but I’m at the mirror and I’m through.

I glance back over my shoulder. Through the mirror, I see Khaosti shift. His wolf twists in the air and hurls itself toward the mirror. I have a single second of joy. He’s going to make it. But I hear the crash of splintering glass. The mirror shatters and is closed forever, leaving him behind.

“No!” I scream. “Khaos!”

But the pain still engulfs me. It’s too much and I give in, just let go, and as suddenly as it came, the pain is gone.

I’m shifting, changing, my body turning inside out.

And then—holy freaking shit—I’m flying, rising into the air.

I feel powerful as I soar into the sky on ebony wings, my black—black? Shouldn’t I be silver?—coat gleaming. Down below, people stare up at me. And from their clothing, I’m pretty sure I’m on Earth… somewhere.

I’m also pretty sure they’ve never seen anything like me before.

I toss my head, making the spiral horn glint in the moonlight.

It takes a moment to sink in. I saw the picture in the temple. I know what I am. Even if I don’t quite believe it.

I’m a goddamn alicorn. A flying unicorn.

Epilogue