The Lion, the Witch, and the Werewolf

by Amy Sumida

  “I hope so.” I chewed at my lip. “I was looking at this as a sort of vacation but now, you have me worried.”

  “Nemesis will break the curse, V,” he repeated more confidently. “I told you not to worry.”

  “No, it's not her that I'm worried about.” I recalled Narcissus' feverish eyes as he stroked himself. “It's Narcissus. Anyone that self-centered is bad news.”

  “Just keep promising him freedom,” Morpheus said. “As long as you have something he wants, you should be safe. He won't jeopardize his chance at freedom.”

  “Good point.” I grinned. “Okay; I'll make sure to lord that over him.”

  “But, other than that, all of you are okay?”

  “So far,” I said. “But our magic doesn't work in here. Narcissus says his magic is only a poor reflection of itself, and he warned us against trying to use our magic at all, saying that since the Mirror absorbs the dead, it may also absorb our magic.”

  “That sounds... incorrect,” Morpheus murmured. “He may be playing you; trying to keep you weak. I'll ask Nem about it when we find her.”

  “Okay.”

  “Oh, and Lesya says hi.”

  “How is she?” I asked guiltily; hating myself for being a horrible mommy and not asking after her instantly. “I saw her crying.”

  “She told Odin that she saw your face in the mirror, and you looked like a ghost,” Morph said with an impressed expression. “I don't know how she saw past the Mirror's curse, but she did.”

  “The bond between a mother and her child is a miraculous thing,” I said softly as I stroked my belly.

  “It seems so,” Morph agreed with a far-off look.

  I inwardly winced. Morpheus' mother currently resided with her father, Dionysus, under a type of divine house arrest. I won't go into the reasons for her incarceration, it would take too long, but I hoped she stay that way forever. Despite my relief over her imprisonment, my heart hurt for my friend who had never known the type of motherly bond I'd mentioned.

  “Anyway,” Morph went on, looking awkwardly away from my sympathetic stare, “Odin didn't believe Lesya at first, but she was so adamant. He said it gave him the shivers, and he got her away from the Mirror as fast as he could.”

  “Smart man.”

  “Then you mirrored him from the Mirror.” Morpheus snickered. “That was brilliant, by the way.”

  “Thanks.” I smirked.

  “You confirmed Odin's suspicions,” he went on. “He barred the dressing room door so no one could get in until we find Nemesis.”

  “Good. At least he listened to one thing I said.”

  “Lesya sounds just like you,” Morph noted with a wry look. “She was telling Odin off for not believing her. She said she isn't a liar, but he is a big poopy pants for thinking she was.”

  “That's my girl.” I beamed at him. “Tell her that I'm fine, but I miss her, and I'm definitely not a ghost.”

  “Will do.” Morph nodded. “Should anyone tell Arach about this?”

  I grimaced. I had considered mirroring Arach, but the way things worked with my Ring of Remembrance—with me traveling through time when I went back and forth between the realms—I was probably with him. Arach had his own ring and could jump over to the Human Realm too, but I couldn't see how he could help. He'd made me promise to include him if I ever went to war in H.R. but this wasn't war, and I didn't want to worry him.

  “No, let him have his ignorant bliss,” I finally decided. “Unless one of my guys thinks Arach can help. Tell them I'll leave it up to them.”

  “Got it.” Morph hugged me tightly. “Take care of yourself, V.”

  “I'll do my best.”

  Chapter Thirteen

  I inhaled the stifling air deeply as I woke and then scowled. I'd spent too much time in the steamy environment and as much as I love the heat, I needed to breathe some cooler air. I eased up on my elbow and looked around as I yawned. Damp tendrils of hair clung to my face and arms, but the rest of me had dried. My husbands slumbered on peacefully, their bodies curled around me, even their snoring had stopped. But Narcissus was gone. He must have gotten tired of waiting for us to wake up. I looked down at my swimsuit and frowned. I didn't like relying on Sir Wanks-a-lot for clothing.

  I sighed and slipped free of my husbands' loose embrace. They shifted apart and settled onto the grass. I spared a moment to admire their sleep-relaxed faces and languidly sprawled bodies. Trevor was sporting a sandpaper shadow on his jaw and it made him look dangerous; the bad boy at rest. Beside him, Kirill was starting to sprout the same stubble but, ironically, his facial hair grew slower than Trevor's. I guess his hair put more effort into growing from his scalp. Even with the shadow on his chin, though, Kirill would never have the same rugged look that Trevor could get. His face revealed the truth of his blood; refined and regal, too wholesome to ever seem sinister. My sweet, Russian prince.

  I contemplated waking them so we could go looking for Narcissus together, but their soft expressions and gently rising chests stopped me. Let them rest while they could. I'd find Narcissus on my own and come back for them. I strode across the grass and made my way out of the conservatory. I figured I'd start in the main room if I could find it. The thought gave me pause. What if I got lost in the palace and couldn't find my way back to the conservatory?

  “Don't be ridiculous,” I huffed at myself.

  The bonds I'd made with my husbands—Blood to Heart and the enchantment of our wedding bands—would lead me straight back to them. Only strong wards could hide them from me. Even then, I'd probably be able to track them up to the ward. I'd done so with Kirill once.

  I wandered through the eccentric, indecisive corridors that shifted styles like a trophy wife and finally chanced upon Narcissus' voice. I frowned at that but then remembered that I'd been speaking to myself just moments earlier. Narcissus had spent centuries alone; doubtless, he often spoke to himself too.

  Except that he wasn't.

  I pulled up short when I heard the blistering words. My acute dragons senses honed in easily despite the considerable distance between Narcissus and me. I peeked around the corner. The conversation filtered out of an open door, beckoning me. I could hear Narcissus just fine, but another voice argued with him, and I wanted to see who it was. Another person in the palace meant that either they had just arrived, or Narcissus had been hiding them from us. Either way, I needed to know who they were.

  I crept up to the door and crouched down by the frame. I figured that I'd have a better chance of going unnoticed if I stayed closer to the ground when I took my peek. Slowly, I eased around the edge and stole a quick glance. Then I pulled back and pressed flat against the wall in shock. Narcissus really was talking to himself, just not in the way I'd thought.

  Two Narcissuses faced off; one vibrant and opaque and the other a sheer, ghostly twin.

  The solid one wailed at the phantom, “I won't do it!”

  He'd been saying versions of this statement the entire time, but he'd yet to mention what “it” was. Then came another clue.

  “I like them, and I'm glad they can't die in here.”

  “They're Gods; imagine the power they would give me.”

  “I'm not killing them!” Solid-Narcissus snapped. “They're going to help me get free.”

  “You will never be free of me!” Ghost-Narcissus roared. “Kill them or I will kill you all!”

  A horrible clanging echoed through the palace, and I peered around myself with trepidation. The building shook like a bird settling its feathers and then went silent. I got to my feet and continued to warily scan the hallways but nothing more happened.

  “Mirror!” Narcissus shouted. “You can't kill us; you're made to imprison, not murder! You leave them alone. Do you hear me?”

  “Narcissus.” I stepped into the room.

  The Mirror-Narcissus had disappeared, and the real one flinched guiltily.

  “Vervain, I... you heard that?” He asked.

  I nodded.
<
br />   “How much of it?”

  “Enough to know we could be in danger,” I said softly.

  “The Mirror can't hurt us,” he repeated what he'd been yelling at it. “The curse was made to imprison a god, not kill one. It would be going against its nature, against the very magic that created it, if it tried to murder us.”

  “Except you just threatened it,” I pointed out. “It thinks you're about to escape, and that may give it some leeway.”

  Narcissus turned the color of sour cream.

  “Tell me the truth.” I stalked closer and stared him down. “When was the last time the Mirror pulled someone in?”

  Narcissus grimaced and looked guilty. “A couple of months ago.”

  “A couple of months?” I gaped at him.

  “I didn't want to tell you that the Mirror has been growing in strength,” he said apologetically. “It discovered that it could feed on the energy of the humans who died here and then it began pulling people in more and more frequently. It's become insatiable. I think it believes itself to be a god,” he whispered the last bit as he stared around himself suspiciously.

  “Fred Flintstone!” I cursed viciously. “This is not good.”

  “No,” he agreed and then frowned. “Who is Fred Flintstone?”

  “It's a cartoon; never mind. I curse strangely so that I don't teach my children bad words.”

  “You have children?” Narcissus asked with a small smile.

  “I have three, and I'm pregnant now.” I rubbed my rounded belly. “You didn't notice?”

  “I like women with curves.” He shrugged. “I thought it was normal. Whose child do you carry?”

  “Trevor's son.” I smiled softly.

  “You already know the sex?”

  “Yes, but that's a long story.” I waved my hand dismissively. “And it's not important right now. We need to get back to my husbands.”

  I hurried out the door with Narcissus charging after me.

  “And would you mind returning my clothes?” I asked as he caught up.

  “Oh, certainly.” Narcissus nodded and my old clothing returned.

  The clothing gave me a little more confidence, but I wouldn't breathe easy until I was reunited with Trevor and Kirill. I regretted leaving them now. I knew better than to split up in a strange, magical place. Damn it all; why had I left them? Luckily, Narcissus took the lead, and in mere minutes, we burst through the silver, conservatory doors. My guys slept on, blissfully unaware. I hurried over to them and shook them awake.

  “We have a problem,” I said as they both sat up.

  “What is it?” Trevor stood; instantly scanning the room.

  “The Mirror has been taking people far more frequently than Narcissus first indicated,” I explained. “It's been getting powerful and has started to crave more power. It tried to get Narcissus to kill us since we wouldn't die here on our own.”

  The men glared at Narcissus.

  “I refused!” Narcissus held up his hands in a warding gesture.

  “He did,” I confirmed. “I heard him. In fact, the Mirror was enraged by his refusal and has threatened to kill us all; including Narcissus.”

  “We think it's because I told it that you're going to help me escape,” Narcissus grumbled. “It would have found out eventually; it listens. But still, I shouldn't have said anything.”

  “It's fine, Narc,” I said. “I'll forgive a lot for the simple fact that you refused to murder us.”

  “Narc?”

  “Sorry; I tend to shorten people's names.” I made a self-derisive snort. “I guess that didn't work out so well.”

  “No, it's fine,” Narcissus said. “I don't mind.”

  “In the modern world, a narc is a lawman who specializes in arresting drug dealers,” I explained. “Drugs are called narcotics.”

  “That's a Greek word too,” Narcissus grinned. “It means 'to make numb.'”

  “Yes; that's where they got the name.”

  “Fantastic.” Trevor rolled his eyes. “Yes; the Greeks influenced a lot of shit. Do you want some Windex or can we move on?”

  I burst out laughing as Kirill rolled his eyes, and Narcissus just frowned in confusion.

  “Well done, Honey-Eyes.” I slapped Trevor's shoulder in approval. “Nice movie reference.”

  “Thanks.” He smirked at me.

  “I zink ve should try to contact Odin again,” Kirill said. “He needs to know zis has become dangerous situation.”

  “We can't,” I said. “I just saw Morpheus in my dream, and he said that Odin locked the mirror inside my dressing room and is keeping everyone away from it until they find Nemesis.”

  “You can speak to people through your dreams?” Narcissus asked with awe.

  “I have a friend who's a dream god,” I explained. “Morpheus. You know him?”

  Narcissus frowned. “Isn't he related to Nemesis?”

  “She's his aunt.” I nodded.

  “Nemesis is Morph's aunt?” Trevor asked. “That's helpful.”

  “Why?” Narcissus asked.

  “Because he's our friend and can convince Nemesis to help us,” Trevor answered.

  “He also said that Nemesis is required to help me because I'm an Olympian,” I added.

  “You're an Olympian?!” Narcissus gaped at me. “Why didn't you say so?”

  “It's kind of a new thing for me.” I shrugged. “And I didn't think it was important.”

  “You didn't think it was important?” Narcissus asked in disbelief. “You're practically a celebrity in my pantheon. But how? You're not Greek.”

  “Another long story.” I sighed. “I'll tell you after we get out of here. First, clothes for the guys and then let's get out of this room.”

  “Right.” Narcissus nodded at the men and the clothes they'd been wearing when we first arrived took the place of their swimming trunks.

  “Is there anywhere in this palace that you'd consider to be safe from the Mirror?” I asked Narcissus. “Somewhere we can hole up until Nemesis releases us?”

  Narcissus thought about it. “The closer I am to the frame—the Mirror's portal—the less I can affect the landscape. I think the Mirror's magic is focused on the boundary there and must keep it as it is. If we stay near the glass, I think we'll be safe”

  “That makes sense,” I agreed. “It's a weak point; an access point.”

  “Let's get to that frame,” Trevor said as he started striding for the door.

  He never made it; none of us did.

  Chapter Fourteen

  Walls rocketed up between us; separating Narcissus and me from the others. We all started shouting and pounding frantically on the barriers and searching for a way through. As we did, the grass changed to metal beneath my feet while the trees and pool disappeared. A new ceiling popped into place only a few feet above my head.

  “Vervain!” Narcissus' hand was on my shoulder; shaking me violently. “Run!”

  We were in a metal corridor and the wall at the far end was moving closer; rapidly. I gaped at it.

  “I'll find you both; just stay alive!” I hollered at my husbands, and then I ran.

  A single path yawned open before us, the Mirror herding us into the gloom. I couldn't do anything about it, though. The metal plate scraped closer and closer; effectively forcing us down the corridor. We made it to a door at the end, and Narcissus yanked it open.

  We rushed through, and he slammed the door shut behind us. A deafening clamor announced the impact of the metal plate against the door. The palace shivered and then stilled. I shivered and stilled too. It had been awhile since I'd had to run for my life, but how do you stand your ground against a metal plate?

  I looked around the room we occupied warily. A bedroom. A grand one. A Greek one. The bed ruled the room on a marble pedestal with columns at each corner instead of posters. A crown of narcissus flowers floated over the center of the bed; trailing sheer, violet curtains over the tops of the columns and then down to the mosaic floor. Pattern
s of more narcissus flowers wound through the mosaic but soft, sage-colored rugs covered the artwork in places.

  A collection of chaise lounges, similar to those in the main room, sat to the side of the bed and a rectangular table was placed behind them; sectioning off the room. On the other side of the table, a sunken tub dominated the space with more columns set in a circle around it. White narcissus flowers draped between the columns in garlands, interwoven with other greenery. Beneath them and beside the tub, a stone bench held a stack of neatly folded towels. And then there were the mirrors.