Mirror Realm

by Jenn Nixon

  Really?

  “Yes, my mom and Evie are there, too.”

  “Your grandmother’s alive?”

  “Unless it really wasn’t my cousin and this is another sick joke of Mergan’s.” Cyndra scrubbed the side of her face. “Pristy said time moved differently there.”

  “Did she say how?” Jack reached over and patted her other hand.

  Cyndra shook her head.

  What else?

  “The wraiths are trapped in the mirror realm because the soulless can’t siphon us anymore to feed them,” Cyndra said, sighing. “Bad news? Mergan’s trying to escape and she has Zorin.”

  “How can she escape?”

  “No idea.” Cyndra got up and went to the icebox for more cold tea but couldn’t even get the door open because her hands were shaking so badly. Rune took hold of her right with his, elevating their bond, giving her some clarity even if couldn’t calm her wild emotions. “I need him back, Rune. Every minute Mergan has him is one less he may have left.”

  I don’t think she wants him dead, we know she likes to use people.

  “What if she can find a way to control him there, with all those casters and siphons helpless inside…” Cyndra shook her head, trying to flush out all the horrible, paranoid thoughts.

  “Zorin will fight her. There are no elemental powers, she’s like the normals in there,” Jack approached and finished pouring her tea then set the pot on the table. He motioned to the stool.

  Rune squeezed her hand as he tugged her back to the table and sat, moving his seat closer to hers. She does want him for a reason, that much is true.

  “We have to do…something.” Jack turned to Rune, nodded.

  We meant it, Cyndra, we’ll follow your lead. If you want to go in, go in.

  She pressed her lips together, meeting their eyes. “And you’d stay behind and let me?”

  “Yes,” Jack answered while they nodded together.

  “Why?” she whispered, shaking her head.

  You’re stronger—

  “Doesn’t mean anything there, no powers.”

  Fine. You have more at stake than either of us.

  “We all have family inside,” she said, sighing. “I’m being selfish.”

  “What if I offered another safeguard?” Jack grinned.

  “What?”

  “A crystal?”

  “What good would that do—”

  “They can’t go through the mirror,” he finished.

  “Yeah.”

  “What if we shield one, with a dual-cast, water and energy,” Jack said, pulling the journal from the bookshelf at the other end of the table. He flipped a few dozen pages then pointed to a passage for instructions on creating different types of barriers. “This is similar to Mergan’s prison, from what you told me with air added in to stifle the sound.”

  “You want to put a barrier around a crystal?”

  “Your energy will mask it from the mirror and the water reflects so no one else will see it.”

  Rune’s face lit up as he gazed up from the journal. Amazing.

  “And with no one else having powers, the casters and siphons won’t detect it,” Cyndra mused, letting the idea swirl through her head, speeding up her heartbeat just a tad. “Won’t stop me from getting stuck there…This is stupid.”

  “We can always wait another day,” Jack said, rubbing her arm. “Zorin reached you once, he may reach you again.”

  You didn’t mention that.

  “I woke up just as he called my name,” Cyndra replied, glancing down at the journal. “I need to get more than three hours of sleep. Digging holes is bound to tire me out.”

  “That’s true.” Jack smirked and squeezed her hand. “A hard day’s work is its own reward.”

  Oh no, not you too.

  “What?”

  “Idioms, bad habit from my book reading days,” Cyndra cracked a smile. “I have to explain half of them.”

  “Don’t worry, I don’t know many.”

  Thank goodness for small favors. Rune shrugged at the irony.

  “We already have one hole dug, so it won’t be too bad,” Jack added, chuckling and leading the way back down ready to get back to work.

  Feeling like she had to make up for missing out, she jogged ahead then stopped dead seeing a second, larger fire flower at the head of the growing garden. “Another one?”

  Rune paused at her side and tilted his head. They really are pretty, whatever they are.

  “Lilies. Your mother used to make these before the flare,” Jack said, shrugging when she and Rune gaped at him. “What?”

  Told you.

  Cyndra rolled her eyes. “Rub it in. Did she really make these? She’s an earthcaster?”

  “And fire.” Jack frowned. “You didn’t know? I’m sorry, Cyndra, I would have told you earlier if I knew…”

  “It’s okay, really. I don’t have many memories of her, maybe some are still missing.”

  And new ones can be made, we know she’s alive.

  “Guess that’s true,” Cyndra replied, smirking and picking up a shovel from the nearby wheelbarrow. Grateful one mystery was solved, she smiled down at the flower, thinking it was very pretty then turned to her friends. “Ready?”

  “Yep.”

  Totally ready. Rune chose another shovel and dashed down the path in the middle of the garden, leading them closer toward the trees lining the far side of the field, on the ocean side of the island. Want a bit of shading to help with the heat.

  “Good thinking.” She needed this distraction. Focusing on Rune and his joy working in the garden, easily lifted her mood, and pushed her to work harder.

  After digging the second hole, Jack and Rune created the floor for both huts with water and clay. Leaving the huts to dry overnight, the group toured the garden, picked ripe vegetables as they walked, and used most of the fresh items for dinner.

  Rune leaned back from the table and sighed. Although they finished the last of the venison and boar, Cyndra had plenty of money to stock up the island before the end of summer.

  “Have you ever had grilled cheese sandwiches?” Jack asked, frowning when she and Rune shook their heads. “Then I know what’s for lunch tomorrow. May be small sandwiches but they’ll be worth it.”

  Sounds amazing. I didn’t know there were so many types of cheese.

  “There were probably hundreds more before the flare,” Cyndra said, allowing the doom and gloom to return. She shook her head. “Sorry. I’m way tired.”

  “My turn to clean up,” Jack said, giving her a pass. “Rest, okay?”

  Rune nodded and reached over the table to squeeze her hand. We’ll be right here.

  Cyndra smiled and took her juice box with her up to the service room. She set the drink on the lopsided table in the corner and then moved her pillows against the wall before sitting down. The moment she lifted Zorin’s blanket, her insides warmed. She presses it to her chest and shut her eyes. The lingering scent of his skin, a mix of sunshine and wind, stirred the energy in her belly.

  Stay strong.

  She set her head down and twisted the blanket around her body, wishing it were his arms, cooling her, calming her, shielding her from the world.

  Chapter 18

  Zorin flew over a field of heather, lifting higher with the rolling hills and beautiful landscape of the place he once called home. When he landed, the terrain changed to the blackened crust of land where the flare scarred the planet. In the next heartbeat, he was in the back of Cyndra’s trailer. She was talking to Pristy.

  Cyndra?

  The dream setting changed again, taunting him and taking her away. Zorin tried to focus through the haze, he had to find her, make her hear him. He didn’t know what he was going to tell her, but he knew she was waiting for him.

  Listening.

  Zorin centered all of his attention on the female caster who changed his existence and captured his heart, remembering the way she smiled at him for the very first time. He repeate
d the sensation of their kiss over in his mind to keep his body warm. Recalled the excitement she felt flying with him. Their bond was strong and pure, untainted by power or control. He’d sleep for an eternity just to hear her voice or look into her curious eyes.

  Hours seemed to pass, adding to the confusion of trying to make contact between realms and realities.

  When Zorin finally sensed her again, he was standing on the widow’s walk, gazing down at the forest. He extended his wings, preparing to take flight to find her, but his feet never lifted from the ground.

  Like his reality, he was trapped in the lighthouse, probably Mergan’s doing last time she entered his mind.

  Still, Cyndra was near.

  Zorin shut his eyes and called out to her, hoping their bond was powerful enough to pierce the veil between them.

  Cyndra rolled onto her back and huffed. She was trying too hard to fall asleep. When she tossed the covers to the side and gazed up, something felt wrong.

  The metal ceiling above her didn’t belong. Sitting upright, Cyndra averted her eyes, taking in the dimly lit sleeping room of her tradeshop trailer. She reached over to grab her sai, but it wasn’t there. The privacy curtain floated up as a gust of warm wind pushed into the room.

  “Who’s there?”

  No one answered.

  Cyndra tiptoed to the doorway holding her breath the entire time. When she pushed the curtain aside, a dark ghostwood forest loomed before her.

  She spun around. The plush forest of the island surrounded her.

  Cyndra?

  The realization hit her, she was dreaming again. Pulling her focus, she glanced around the empty field and called his name. Zorin?

  Yes. You’re still here…

  What? No—

  There’s no time, Cyndra, please hear me. Mergan still controls the soulless and wraiths, she can feed on them here, she can hold power in this realm.

  What does she want with you?

  To use me to escape.

  How?

  By feeding me power.

  I don’t understand. Why can’t I see you? A guttural scream echoed through her ears. She whipped her head, searching the dense forest. Zorin?

  The second howl ripping from his chest sent panic straight up her spine. She ran through the forest, stumbling over logs and tumbled into the field.

  Zorin!

  “Wake up,” Jack’s voice pulled her from the dream.

  “No!” Cyndra lifted her hands, evoking both elements.

  “Easy—”

  “Where is he?” she screamed, filling her hands with power.

  Cyndra, don’t, it’s us! Rune shouted as he stomped on the floor.

  Her eyes focused then widened. Cyndra clasped her hands and doubled over, shielding her attempt with her body. Thankfully, the power subsided to a controllable state. Cyndra reeled the rest of it back, breathing deeply, trying to hold in the tears too.

  “Cyndra? Are you okay?”

  She nodded, lifting her head slowly. “I’m good. Sorry…”

  What happened?

  “Zorin, he made contact then something happened to him. Mergan, probably.” Cyndra shuddered, keeping her hands clasped as she continued breathing to relax. “He said she’s still controlling the wraiths and…can feed on them.”

  “But they’re trapped,” Jack said as they both sat on the mattress, keeping their distance.

  “Because the soulless can’t find the other casters to siphon which feeds them, they’re connected remember.”

  What else did he say? Rune reached out, offering his hand.

  Cyndra squeezed his fingers, trying to shake the fright of the dream from her mind. “She’s trying to use him to escape.”

  “Did he say how?” Jack asked.

  “Feeding him power,” she said, shaking her head. “Which I don’t get.”

  She transformed him…

  “With the same energy that made the mirror,” Jack mused.

  Maybe Zorin can return from the mirror-realm.

  Jack concluded, “He could be her way out.”

  Cyndra shrugged. “Possibly.”

  But if she can still control the wraiths, that means with enough power she can control Zorin.

  “We have to save him.” Cyndra sat up straighter, shuddering and glancing at Jack. “Before her soulless find casters or come after us.”

  What can we do?

  “Not we. You, Cyndra. You have to do it, you have the strongest bond,” Jack said, rising to his feet. “Go in, with a cloaked crystal, find him and get out before she uses him to escape.”

  Then what?

  “We practice, until we all master both our elements and then let everyone out slowly, over time.

  Cyndra groaned. “How long will it take for everyone to start fighting about who gets out first?”

  Not long, I’d imagine.

  “No, but it’s the best idea so far.” Cyndra shook her head. “We still have to stop Mergan before we let anyone out.”

  “You mean kill her?”

  “I didn’t say that.” Cyndra crinkled her brow, frowning. “My grandmother is alive. Inside. Maybe she can help us stop Mergan. Maybe there’s a multi-cast to block powers. I doubt she’s the first rogue caster to stir up trouble.”

  “No, probably not, but from what I remember and you’ve told me, she’s not exactly sane,” Jack replied with a sigh.

  Why don’t we test the theory first?

  Cyndra glanced to Rune, who seemed a bit more hopeful now. “Which theory?”

  The crystal’s going through the barrier. We can use that one Becca had to test it, in case it gets sucked in or worse.

  “Attach it to the end of a broom or something, keep our distance from the mirror,” Jack added.

  “Good idea.” Cyndra nodded, feeling a sense of anxiety set in the more she thought about going through the mirror. She could see her mother, grandmother again. Would they even recognize her?

  “I’ll go get the broom and meet you outside.” Jack rubbed her arm and attempted a smile. “Lemon ration bar is waiting for you on the table with some fruit.”

  “Thank you, Jack,” she said, covering her mouth as she yawned and smirked at Rune. “You know where the crystal is?”

  Yes. There’s tea on the stove, too.

  “Okay, thanks,” Cyndra said, letting both men go so she could dress and right her mind for what they were about to do.

  On her way to the bedroom, she started second-guessing herself. What if she couldn’t feed Zorin her elements even with a crystal? There was no proof she’d have powers inside. Did she want to risk being stuck in the mirror-realm just to be with him? When she shut her eyes and pictured his face in her mind, she knew the answer.

  Balling her hands to contain her rising power, Cyndra changed into her battle outfit again, cycle leggings and a crop top, ready to go into the mirror, crystal or not.

  She picked up the rationbar and skipped the tea then went down the stairs meeting the guys in the middle of the field. Cyndra finished the last of her bar as she neared and smirked at Jack, holding the broom handle like a walking staff.

  “Ready?” Jack asked.

  “Now or never.”

  Rune led the way to the mansion, keeping the conversation light with his decorating ideas for the huts they were building. Jack seemed overjoyed at all the ideas floating around.

  I should be able to leave a hole up top for a skylight.

  “What about when it rains?” Cyndra asked, seeing little appeal sleeping outside.

  “We can reuse or create our own glass, make windows,” Jack said. “We have plenty of sand.”

  “That sounds like a stretch.” Cyndra laughed when Rune rolled his eyes at Jack.

  “If I had fire, I’d try it.” Jack shrugged. “There are plenty of window panes here. We’ll make it work if you want one, Rune.”

  It’s going to be amazing. Rune grinned and slowed at the edge of the mansion’s back yard to hop over the wall.

 
; Spirits remained high until they entered the old prison room.

  Cyndra gazed at the large mirror looming on the far end of the room, trying not to flash back to Zorin’s abduction. Jack, a little more observant than usual, patted her back as he walked toward the left side of the mirror. Rune pulled out the expendable crystal and handed it to Jack who fastened it around one end of the broom handle using the leather cord it hung from.

  “Want to test it without the barrier first?” Jack asked. Rune nodded.

  Cyndra shrugged. “Just be careful.”

  Jack stayed off to the side and extended his arm and the staff as far as it would go. He moved the crystal toward the reflective surface. Nothing happened. Jack inched it closer. The mirror rippled. Jack pushed the staff forward. The crystal bounced off the mirror. Jack lost his grip and footing. Cyndra caught the staff while Rune steadied Jack.

  “Okay, answers that for sure now,” Cyndra said, glancing down to make sure the crystal wasn’t cracked.

  Now the barriers, Rune projected, possibly more excited at the prospects of this working than anyone else.

  Unsure if her first attempt at a barrier worked, Cyndra stepped closer to Jack and offered her hand, ready to try again. Rune took the staff and pointed it down so she could direct her cast on the crystal and nothing else. Then she furrowed her brow. “Why can’t I just do it on myself?”

  “We can’t cast barriers on people, only objects and places. Can you imagine invisible casters walking around?”

  Yikes, no.

  “Good point,” Cyndra said, shrugging and turning her focus to the crystal, evoking the energy to her fingertips. She glanced to Jack, already sensing his water power growing. “I know you and Rune have been practicing, you know what to do?”

  He nodded. “Think of a reflective shield or barrier around the crystal, you’ll do the rest.”

  Cyndra smirked, blushing as she shook her head. She set her hand above the crystal and prayed her energy would listen to her and not the chaotic emotions fighting inside of her. Envisioning a barrier, similar to what she and Rune had done to the mirror, Cyndra evoked her energy and inadvertently siphoned Jack’s water even as he released it into the dual-cast. The greenish-white colors of her power spilled from her fingertips. Aqua-blue water curled around Jack’s hand as matching tears fell to his cheeks.