"Is that what your life costs?” I retorted. “A coffee?"
He smiled nonchalantly and shrugged. " Well, that’s what feels right to offer."
With that, he scooted back, wheeled the ottoman into a side room coming off the office, and closed the door. It seemed like an add on room since the door looked newer than the rest of the wood around it, Chases room perhaps?
Chase swept his hair back with a sigh, then started to follow Loic. He turned back to me.
“Rayne, I’m sure today has been tiresome. There’s a spare room upstairs with a cozy guest bed if you’d want it. Loic’s room has seen its fair share of excitement today as well, so I closed it off.”
I shook my head. “But I have to get home! Juliet, I just left her there. Even if she’s not hurt, I need to see if she’s okay. She could be out there looking for me. Worried."
Chase turned on his heel and came back to me.
“You’ll be able to talk to her soon. Your phone should be charged by now. I put your things up in the guest room already.”
Knowing my phone worked didn’t ease my mind entirely.
“I have classes and maintaining my apartment. I have to—"
"Get back to your life?" Chase shrugged. "You will, I promise. Just not yet.”
Defiance rose within me. “Why not?”
“It wouldn’t be wise to go out now. Your wounds are fresh, and the Formless will be looking for you. They would be tracking the scent of blood. It would be better if Loic would go with you but based on past experiences, I’d say Loic’s going to be sound asleep in a few minutes.” He chuckled. “That pain relief herb has that effect on him.”
He brushed his hair back again, then looked at me. I couldn’t keep the sadness off my face.
“I just want to go home. I am grateful for everything you both have done, but I could just go to the hospital, say it was an accident, and go on with my life.”
My normal, non-magical, non-dangerous life.
Chase frowned. “I wish it were that simple.”
“Why not?”
“Now that your link to our princess has been discovered, you cannot hide from our world any longer. There are things in Mirror Image that sneak into this one often. They can see you on their radar now, just as you can see them.”
“Why now? How can you be so sure? I’m twenty-two years old, and this is the first instance I’ve seen those monsters.”
Chase was sober. “Formless don’t always take the form of monsters, my dear. Shadows between trees, undersides of bridges, the shadows that send a chill up your spine, feral animals. Individuals feeling paranoid but having no way to prove to others that there is a reason to be afraid. All of these maladies have been known to be Formless related... Formless are resourceful, not to mention vicious. They are even worse with leadership behind them.”
“What kind of leadership?”
“That…” he slowed down. His eyes shifting away before biting the inside of his lip, making a visible shift in his chin. “That is something to discuss once affairs are more in order.”
“So, you’re just going to leave me in the dark?”
“Only for now.” His face was stern. “I think all parties involved should be present and after at least a night’s rest before we start with that story.” He put his hands in his pockets. “The guest room is open, and I don’t want to see any more harm come to you. We’ve seen far too much of that…” He paused and turned away, not finishing his thought.
Although I was still irritated, I got what he was saying. I wanted answers, I wanted to go home. But how could I explain my injuries to a hospital, or to Juliet? I had been shot, scratched, poisoned and burned all in the span of a few days.
No matter how creative I was, I don’t think I could ever make anyone believe any of this was the truth. On top of that, could I even make it home if I tried? The island we were on was way off the normal ferry route. My phone was an option, but again no one could get to me, at least not for a while.
And even when they did get here, would they blame Chase and Loic?
In a way I had to accept all of this: Mirror Image, the Formless, and the magic. It was all real. The monsters’ damage was enough to prove that. Also, from what I knew, none of these people from Mirror Image had hurt me. All they had done was heal me, even if that healing meant taking me to an abandoned museum. .
Would an outsider think they abducted me and did all of this to me?
Would I be able to say my part? ‘No, they saved me. I don’t want them to get into trouble.’
I didn’t want them to be in trouble, based on the assumption of someone who didn’t believe me.
Since I could see the monsters, I was the only one who would fully understand.
Besides, despite the question dodging, Chase’s concern for me was real. And for that, I decided to not press the issue further. I would trust him and Loic for the time being.
“You’re right.” I flopped back in the chair. “I should stay.”
He sighed. “Thank you, dear. And I apologize. I didn’t mean to force you into this. It is all with good intention. Thank you for humoring me," He smiled kindly, but I saw a hint of accomplishment in the corners of his mouth.
Then a new thought struck me. “But if I sleep, won’t I go back to Princess Luna’s body in Mirror Image?"
Chase paused thoughtfully.
“Do you still have that stone?”
“Yes.” I touched the crystal around my neck.
“It will keep you here, so you can sleep peacefully."
"Right. I forgot about that."
“There you go. I’ll send you to your room.” He gave me a smile. “I hope you have a good night, dear. I do apologize again for all of this. Even with my powers, I still can't see the future."
"It's okay. It's not like this is your fault."
"Right." He made a noise that sounded like an exhausted laugh, clearly disagreeing with my statement.
My mind crashed from exhaustion and frustration. I had hoped to get an explanation sooner rather than waiting. I also hoped that tomorrow would be better or that I would wake up in my apartment and all of this would be just a stress-induced nightmare. Unlikely, but the hope still lingered in the back of my mind.
Chase snapped his fingers and I blinked. I felt smooth cloth on the back of my legs. I went from sitting in a chair in his office to sitting at the edge of a soft bed in an attic-like room.
How did I get here? What did he do? Had he teleported me?
This magic thing was going to be hard to get used to.
I looked and saw small droplets of the silver liquid on the sheets. Had he sent me up here with this Silver liquid?
Could you really teleport with this?
The idea of gathering the droplets up and using it to go home crossed my mind. But how?
I wiped my hands over the fabric to collect the droplets but there wasn’t enough to fill the crease of my palm. Not enough to make a visible shape, and I certainly wouldn’t fit in this tiny puddle in my palm.
No teleportation then. I moved a bit, shifting carefully as to not aggravate my wounds. I looked around, investigating the room.
The room held a decent sized window, just big enough to let in some light and accommodate a modern AC. Historical posters announcing old digs and record-breaking finds decorated the walls. One poster caught my eye. It featured a castle in the background, painted with thin white outlines and no color; the foreground had the image of a royal crest. The crest itself had a shape at its center, similar to the stone around my neck. Behind it was a ribbon being held by winged creatures. The ribbon had two phrases written on it:
‘Equal yet opposite, Lauge tey etisoppo.’
The crest was surrounded by lettering that was written both normally and fully backwards. I grabbed my notebook and made out a few words.
The date written on it was: August 15, 1986, Twenty-two years ago. Three months a
nd five days after I was born in fact. The words princess and birth also could be translated. This poster must have been a birth announcement for Princess Luna. This poster, unlike the others, was well cared for.
My head buzzed as I flopped down on the bed, blowing dust back into my face. The bed was soft enough that my body sank into it, comforted. I also saw some of the dust had a sparkle to it.
Was this more magic or just a trick of the eyes? My brain couldn’t handle more magic.
I stared at the poster of the T-Rex exhibit from years ago, trying to read all the boring facts to put myself to sleep, but I couldn't. Not after everything that happened. I couldn't process all of this. This other world, Reflections, Formless—it all seemed so strange. It couldn't be real, but what else was I supposed to think? I couldn't dispute the fact I was almost killed by one of those things today. Almost killed a second time. I could still feel the tar on my skin. The burn was gone but the chills were still left behind. I couldn't shake it. That was all the proof I needed.
I closed my eyes for what felt like a second. Then my thoughts were interrupted by my phone ringing. I sat up with a holt.
Juliet!
I grabbed my phone, fumbling with it a bit as some of my wounds protested at the sudden movement.
She was calling, so she was okay. Right? She had to be. No one else had my number here and even if someone did have her phone, they wouldn’t call me and tell me any news about her.
I couldn’t even get a word out before Juliet gasped on the other line.
“Oh, it picked up! Rayne is that you?”
“Juliet?”
"Oh, thank God! Rayne, I have been so worried! She took a breath before she continued with an endless amount of questions all running together.
Then she began to ramble in Italian. I was at a loss of where to start, or even where or how to cut her off. She finally took a breath, and I was able to interject.
"Juliet, calm down. Now, start over slowly...."
She took a deep breath and started again. "You just fell to the ground in front of me and the next thing I know is a boy picks you up and claims he will take you to the hospital. I called, and they said you weren’t there, and I kept calling."
The tone of her voice hurt with each word. I made her worry like this. I couldn’t blame her for being frantic.
One minute we were hanging out. The next I run off and collapse, vanishing with a stranger.
I could never fathom how that would feel in reverse. To be watching not knowing what was happening. My heart throbbed as she sounded close to crying.
“I’m okay—really, Juliet. I’m sorry to worry you like that.”
That shifted her tone a bit. But the frustration came out after I heard sniffles.
She seemed to growl as she defaulted back to Italian. She sounded angrier with each word. I shook off the thought. Juliet was a woman who didn't have a scary bone in her body.
Or so, I thought.
“Juliet, please. Again, in English, I didn't catch that. I can't understand you when you panic."
She sighed and repeated herself. “It’s been three days. I was worried sick. I was scared he ran off with you or something."
Juliet always did have an overactive imagination, but I guess that’s how it seemed to her.
Imagine what tales she would weave if she had seen half of what was actually happening then.
"Are you okay?"
"I'm fine, no thanks to you! I've been a nervous wreck. Are you sure you’re okay?"
"Yeah. I guess."
It was odd. I didn’t feel as much pain as before. Everything felt almost normal. My friend’s voice had that effect.
"You guess?” She exclaimed. “You guess? Didn't that man take you to the hospital? I was so scared. He could have run off, but he promised me. I swear if he did anything to you, I’ll kill him. And I mean anything some people are into that weird kind of shit these days.” She made a noise that sounded like she shuddered. “You don’t know some of the horrifying creeps we learned about in psychology. I can’t even dare to explain it, and don’t you dare google it.”
“Juliet.”
“It was so sudden. You just fell, and he had you in his arms before I could get to my phone.”
She must have been talking about Loic.
This would be interesting to explain. Gripping my dress, I thought about what to do.
I looked around the room, searching for anything to mentally grasp to. I looked at my bandages. I was taken care of, so my idea of a white lie wasn’t so farfetched.
“I’m okay. He took me to a little clinic outside the city.” Way outside. “I’m fine. It seems he knows the doctor here.”
It wasn’t entirely a lie. I think I got away with it. Although knowing Juliet she wouldn’t just take my word alone. She would need proof eventually.
This only made me worry more. I bit my lip and gripped my phone tightly, pressing it against my face.
She finally spoke. “Oh well, as long as you’re okay then.” Her tone got suspicious sounding, but surprisingly she didn’t react beyond that.
Her slight change in tone didn’t make me feel any better. She sounded like she was biting her own tongue, holding back. I was probably going to hear more about this from her later. My grip on my phone lessened Telling her about my experiences would take some creativity, and probably wouldn’t be the greatest thing for either of us right now. So, for everyone’s sake, I would have to keep quiet about it.
“Thanks for caring, Juliet.”
“Sure! Of course, I’d worry about you. You…you’re my friend. And I was the one dragging you around then. What even happened, anyway? You just ran off.”
Should I tell her about the pickpocketing? That was the tamest part of the story.
“Um, I saw someone take that mirror from your purse.”
She was silent. I heard a zipper come undone, and she still said nothing.
“I followed the one who did it and…I…” Was attacked. Maybe not the best ending to this tale, especially since it sounded like she already blamed herself for this. “I don’t remember after that.” I lied. The words left a sour taste in my mouth.
“I didn’t even see it was missing. Rayne, you didn’t have to do that.”
“I know…I felt like I had to. You’re my friend too, and I didn’t like the idea that something was stolen from you while I was watching.”
“Even if it is a mirror?”
“Y-yeah.”
“Aw Rayne, facing your fears! I’m so proud of you.”
I wasn’t really facing anything. I never looked into that mirror; I haven’t even gotten it back. Heck, after the last few events, I wasn’t sure Loic still had it.
“So, when are you coming home?”
“Um, I’m not sure,” I said. “Something's come up with treatment. I have to stay here a little longer.” My voice shook. Was my lie unraveling? I tugged at my dress tighter waiting for her response.
"Then I’ll come to see you. where’s this place at?"
Shoot! I kind of knew where I was, but if I told her I was on an island outside normal ferry routes, I don’t know how she would react
"I’m not sure. I only woke up a little bit ago." Everything wasn’t a complete lie anyway.
"All right. Call me as soon as you know anything. I have to go too. The professor is catching on. I can only step out so long before they get concerned. Let me know what’s going on. I’ll call you after class is out. Find out where you are, and I will come to pick you up."
"Okay will do. Thanks, Juliet."
"And call me if you’re in trouble, I don’t care if I am in class or not. If you need me, I will get to you, okay?"
"Okay. I think I’ll be fine, though."
She sighed. I could hear a gruff voice in the background. Then she hung up.
The sound of the carpet being scuffed by the door startled me. I saw Loic at the door.
&
nbsp; I was surprised that he was up and around. He still had bandages peeking through his sleeves and a few bandages under his bangs.
He stood leaning against the door frame like nothing happened. Or at least tried to.
He may have been hurt and putting on a front about it, but at least he was alive.
I couldn’t help but feel happy. Happy we both survived, that the nightmare of an experience didn’t end in failure and death. Happy that we were here now staring at each other in extremely awkward silence.
He cleared his throat and spoke.
"So, that was your friend?"
“Yeah. Hey!" I jumped realizing what was wrong with this situation. both him moving despite his injuries and that he was supposed to be asleep. "Chase told me you were asleep, and that you were really hurt. Shouldn’t you be relaxing?"
Loic laughed. "I was. I both love and hate Chase’s herbal tea..." he looked at me and sighed.
"I’m surprised you’re worried about me."
I blinked. "Why wouldn’t I be?"
"Wouldn’t blame you if you weren’t. Trust me, it wouldn’t be so bad to just run from all of this. We are only strangers to you."
"No, you’re not."
His eyes narrowed. “What does that mean?”
I fell silent. What did I really mean by that? With everything that had happened, I couldn’t really treat them like strangers. Not anymore.
"You both saved me, you both told me your names. You became human to me and well, every human life is worth something right? I couldn’t just let you die."
He stood speechless, his face a mixture of shock and confusion.
Then he smiled a bit, shifting his body to seem more confident, correcting his posture and putting his hands in his pockets.
"You would have fit in well back home."
I looked away, little embarrassed about what I said. Sure, I saw them as humans and they did help me, but it was because of them that I was here far away from my home in Italy. I was also away from my one link to familiarity and comfort: Juliet. She would call me back soon enough, expecting answers, and I was still clueless about everything.
Loic coughed and I looked up at him. He ran a hand through his hair, his hair back, attempting to mimic the same tick that Chase had, flinching when he rubbed the bandage over his head. Then he recovered and glanced at me apologetically.
Glass Souls (Reflection Book 1) Page 10
