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I want to keep him safe, just as I want to keep Josh safe. Where did this sense of responsibility come from? Maybe I’ve always had it, but I just forgot it for three years, like I forgot everything else. I suspect that I’ve lost so many people that I can’t bear to lose anyone else, that I have to keep the people close to me safe in any way I can. And if that means guarding him from themachinations of a woman with an agenda of her own, then I’ll do what I have to. Hopefully, it won’t come to that. She’s probably just a really nice girl.

So, what next? I turn to Khaosti. Maybe he’s got an opinion. Though why do I think that’s unlikely?

“So, what do you think we should do next?” I ask, raising a brow and waiting for him to answer. When he doesn’t, I continue, “Maybe we should go back to Earth and regroup. Get some supplies, food, blankets, things like that. And then come back. Maybe we can find a mirror that will take us close to Zandar Aurion.” His shoulders stiffen at that. Clearly, he’s not happy about the idea. But he still doesn’t speak.Grrr.“What do you think?” I prompt, hoping that will increase my chances of getting him to say something.

Nope, still nothing.

“I mean, do we even know our way to Zandar Aurion? Can you remember? We took a big detour going after the slave train. And I don’t want to do that again. So, what do you think? What should we do? For fuck’s sake, say something.”

Finally, he gives a shrug. “Do whatever you like. But I’m not going anywhere near the Chamber of Mirrors or Astrali. So, if you go to Earth, you go without me.”

Well, that might be an added incentive for going in that direction. But really, after I’ve gone to all that bother of getting Khaosti out of prison, I’m not leaving him. Not in this state. I’m not sure he’s capable of looking after himself or if he even cares enough to try. I think his father has broken him. What I need to decide is whether it’s possible to put him back together, to fix him again, or if he is shattered beyond repair.

Maybe we should just put him out of his misery. Out of all of our misery. Zayne would probably be happy. Then, for a brief moment, Khaos catches my eye, and I glimpse all those conflicting emotions, but also maybe hope. And I can’t ignorethat. At the same time, I think it’s only fair to let him know I’m not at all happy with his mindset right now. He needs to get a grip! “Well, thanks for all your help this morning. I feel much better now.”

Is that a flicker of amusement that flashes across his face? Nah. I guess not. He looks away, unimpressed by my bad attitude. I heave a sigh. The sun is rising. Whatever we decide to do, we should really do it and get moving, one way or the other.

I leave Khaosti sitting on his rock, contemplating life, and head back to the others. Zayne is tacking up Stella. Josh is trying to help. Winter is just sitting on the ground close by, waiting to find out whatever we decide to do. What is it about her that makes me uneasy? She’s had a tough life, though I don’t know much about what happened to her before the slavers got her—how she lived, where she lived. Maybe I should try to find out, but not right now.

I cross to where Zayne is just fastening the last buckle on Stella’s bridle. I stroke her glossy shoulder. If we go back to Earth, we will have to leave her behind. But maybe that’s not a bad thing. She’s more than capable of looking after herself and is likely safer than she would be with us.

“So, what do you think we should do?” I ask Zayne.

Zayne turns to me with a frown between his eyes. “I didn’t know we had any options. We go find Hecate. What else can we do?”

I think about mentioning a re-route via Earth, but actually Khaos is right. One day I will be able to create my own mirrors—I hope—but right now, I have to rely on the ones already in existence which all go via the Chamber of Mirrors on Astrali. And I don’t want to go anywhere near Khaosti’s father.

I look from Zayne to Winter. She nods, as if agreeing with him. And I’m sure Josh will be happy, as long as he gets to ride Stella again.

I think I’m outnumbered.

So it looks like we’re going to Zandar Aurion.

Chapter 20

A Whole New Set of Problems

Itrudge on.

One step at a time.

It’s the fourth day of traveling, and I really hope we make it there by nightfall. Because I’m hungry. I think we will. I’m recognizing the countryside now; we travelled through it in the opposite direction when I was last in Valandria. We can’t be far from Zandar Aurion—just a few more hours.

And did I mention…? I’m hungry.

And if I’m truthful, I’m also worried about what we’ll find when we get there. There’s no guarantee that Hecate made it. What if she’s lost somewhere in between? What if the shadowguard found her. And… What if I never see her again?Apart from my father—and I’m not going to go there—she’s my only living relative, at least that I know of.

Khaosti’s still keeping to himself, but at least he’s not causing any trouble. He hasn’t actually attacked or tried to kill anyone else since that first time he went for Zayne. I think he’s trying to be on his best behavior, which still isn’t very good. I don’t think he’s said more than five words in four days.

All the same, things could be worse.

Zayne is being a total hero. He’s shifting into his basilisk form each evening and bringing back meat, so the others have no problems with food—carnivores! Winter has been invaluable. I’m ready to hand Zayne over to her in marriage if she keeps providing me with food. She knows where to forage for things in the wild and comes back with eggs and fruit. She’s aware of which plants will poison us and which ones we can eat safely. She’s trying to teach me, but I’m not very good with plants. So, while I’m still hungry, I’m functioning. So yay, things are not so bad.

It’s mid-afternoon, and we’re heading toward a small hilly area. Soon we’re weaving between huge boulders along a narrow path. Once we’re on the other side, we should be able to see Zandar Aurion in the distance. There’s still a way to go, but we’re getting there. I haven’t sensed any danger—no headaches. I’m presuming the shadowguard are not around.

Then, as we round a corner in the narrow path, everything erupts into chaos.

For a moment, I’m not sure what’s happening. Stella rears, and Josh tumbles off her back onto the hard ground. He lies there for a moment, but then he’s up. I don’t have time to check on him because there are men all around us—big men in black armor. Dark men. For a moment, I think they might be from Thanouq, but these are not Thanouq’s people; a sense of evil shrouds them. There must be ten or twelve. I draw Nightfall.Zayne, after a quick look at me, is already shifting. Khaosti comes to stand in front of me, but he’s unarmed. Winter grabs hold of Stella’s reins and pulls her to the side, grabbing Josh with her free hand and dragging him out of the way.