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When I Get to Meet My Boyfriend’s Father... Ugh!

I count to ten, slowly, in my head.

It does occur to me as I count that this could all be a cunning plot on Khaosti’s part to find the location of the mirror. But I don’t believe that, and as I hit ten, I take a deep breath and step through the mirror.

It’s like the first time, except I’m ready for the pull of it, and I land on my feet without even a stumble.

Here on the Astral Plane, it’s nighttime, but the sky above is filled with enough stars to light the chamber around me.

Khaosti is standing a few feet away. He nods to me, then continues his vigilance, eyes scanning the area. As far as I can tell, there’s no one here but us. Everything is quiet. There’s a strange throb to the air that I remember from last time. I recognize it now—magic. This place is steeped in magic. So much power concentrated in one place. It feels… good. More than good. My blood is singing in my veins.

“Go,” Khaosti murmurs. “Do what you need to do. I’ll watch your back.”

I nod and close my eyes for a second to center myself. I know exactly where I need to go. It’s the same feeling I had last time; something is drawing me forward. I give in to the sensation and allow it to guide my steps. As I head through a doorway, I’m vaguely aware of Khaosti behind me. Then I pass through another. The rooms look the same. But when I enter the third, although it appears identical, the feel of the magic changes from a languid throb to a pulsating urgency.

Lucifer’s Mirror is close.

I finally stop in front of one of the “dead” mirrors. The plain silver frame is tarnished, and the mirror itself is dull, the glass darkened to a black, non-reflective surface, as dense as obsidian. But that’s just an illusion.

I whisper a word, and the illusion shatters.

I bite back a scream and force myself to hold my ground, not to step back. Behind me, Khaosti swears softly.

Seven feet tall, the frame is black and ornately carved. A demon’s head hangs in the top center, its emerald-green eyes gleaming with malice. Wings of black metal sprout from the sides. For a second, I’m sure the thing is alive. Crimson flames burn brightly within the frame, but as I watch, they sputter and die, leaving only darkness.

My mother made this—she drew it out of her soul. What had she seen in her life that she could produce something like this?

I’m right in front of it, but there’s no reflection of me or of Khaosti, who’s standing close behind me. I reach out a hand, then snatch it back as the surface ripples, the center glowing crimson. Khaosti’s arms slide around me, pulling me against his chest, as though he can stop me from diving headfirst into Hell. His touch makes me feel safe. Like I’m his.

“Now what?” he whispers, as though the mirror might hear and take offense. Or maybe someone on the other side might be listening…

I don’t answer. Instead, I murmur the words of the relocation spell. For a second, nothing happens, and panic claws at my insides. If this doesn’t work, I don’t know what my next move will be. Then there’s a shimmer in the air. The mirror glows for a brief moment, and then it vanishes.

I sag against Khaosti, so he’s bearing my weight, holding me against him. I allow myself a few seconds of weakness, then I straighten. Time to get the hell out of here. Khaosti must think the same, as he grabs my hand, and we’re running through the rooms of mirrors.

We’re halfway back when I realize we’re not going to make it.

I slide to a halt, pulling Khaosti to a stop beside me.

I can sense a powerful energy approaching, pressing in on me. It’s like a force of nature.

“Shit,” Khaosti mutters.

Not good then. I presume I’m about to meet my new boyfriend’s father. I look around, searching for a way out. But we need to get back to the mirror we came through if we want to return to the cave.

I suspect that’s not going to happen.

Because that’s where the source of the energy is coming from. If I listen, I can hear footsteps now. More than one person, and they're heading straight for us. I look at Khaosti, hoping he has an idea of what to do next. For a brief second, I catch a hint of panic in his eyes that fills me with dread. I’ve seen him face off against a horde of monsters without a flicker of emotion. But the thought of meeting his father sends him into a panic.

He squares his shoulders, drops my hand, and urges me behind him.

I allow him to. I need to think. I wish I knew more magic. But all I’ve got right now is what my mother implanted in my mind to find and relocate the mirror and a few random spells. I search the mirrors around us, but most are dead, and I have no clue where the others will take us. All the same, it might be better to take the risk.

I try to recall what I know of Khaosti’s father. Nothing good. He throws people off roofs and can force them to shift. I might be about to come face to face with something I’ve been putting off dealing with.

“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 girl and the 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 na?ve. 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. I changed. 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.

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.