Chapter 8

CHAPTER EIGHT

As we rushed into the room, our gazes locked on the mirror. The surface shimmered and rippled, and slowly, an image began to take shape. At first, all I could see was a dark, looming shadow, but as the picture clarified, my heart nearly stopped.

It wasn't Maci or a horde of demons but a majestic purple dragon soaring through the sky. Its scales glittered in the sunlight, and its powerful wings beat the air with effortless grace.

Zara had been hovering around the mirror. Her brows furrowed as she stepped closer and tilted her head. "Is that…"

"A purple dragon. It's Chelby," I whispered. "The queen of the Court of Blossoms."

Damon released a low whistle. "Well, I'll be damned," he muttered, running a hand through his short, spiky hair. "Never thought I'd see a friggin' purple dragon, especially one that's a queen showing up on our doorstep."

A wave of relief washed over me, followed quickly by a surge of confusion. Why would Chelby be coming here, and what did her appearance mean for our quest? I glanced at the others, seeing the same questions reflected in their eyes.

I swallowed hard, my mouth suddenly dry. Whatever Chelby's arrival meant, one thing was clear. Our journey was about to take an unexpected turn, and the stakes had gotten even higher.

Damon crossed his arms, his jaw clenching. "Well, looks like we've got our work cut out for us," he stated gruffly. "If a dragon queen's involved, you can bet your ass this ain't gonna be a cakewalk."

He turned to me, his blue eyes intense and focused. "We've got this, Sawyer. We've faced worse before, and we'll face worse again. And if Chelby's on our side, we've got a powerful ally in our corner."

"Wait a minute." Zara's eyes widened as she pointed at the mirror, her voice trembling with excitement. "Is that a guy on a flying horse?"

I nodded. "That's Jonas, her mate, and his pegasus, Zeus," I explained, my heart quickening at the sight.

Brody's brows furrowed, his mouth set in a grim line as he headed outside. "Something's wrong," he muttered, his steps quickening.

We were all right behind him. High in the sky was a dark shadow. The elegant purple dragon descended with Jonas and Zeus close behind.

Chelby landed behind the manor, her massive form casting a shadow over the grounds. In a shimmering instant, she shifted into a naked woman that resembled Aphrodite coming out of the shell, her skin glistening in the sunlight. I averted my eyes, remembering that when shifters changed from their animal form, they emerged in their birthday suits, leaving nothing to the imagination.

Jonas slid off Zeus and wrapped Chelby in a cloak. "We've got some news for you."

I stiffened, waiting for something dreadful.

Chelby stepped forward, her gaze heavy with foreboding news. "We've discovered the location of the catacombs," she whispered. "But there's a catch."

Damon's eyebrow arched, a sardonic smirk at the corners of his mouth. "Of course there is," he drawled. "What is it this time?"

Chelby drew a deep breath. "The entrance is hidden within the Forest of Shadows. It's cursed, and some people have disappeared into the catacombs, never to reappear. It's protected by ancient magic and traps."

She reached into her cloak and produced a small, ornate box. The intricate carvings on its surface seemed to shift in the flickering torchlight. "You'll need this." She pressed the cool metal into my palm.

I ran my fingers over the box, feeling a faint vibration from within. "Inside is a compass that will guide you through the forest," Chelby continued. "But only if you're pure of heart."

With trembling hands, I opened the box. The golden compass inside pulsed with an otherworldly light, its needle quivering as if alive. "What's the catch?"

Chelby's gaze bore into mine. "The compass is enchanted. It will lead you true, but it will also test your resolve. If any among you harbors ill intent or deceit, it will lead you astray, directly into the traps."

Damon growled. "Great, more magical tests," he spat. "Anything else we should know?"

Jonas stepped forward, his weathered face grim. "Yes." He nodded solemnly. "There are creatures within the forest that will try to deceive you. They can take on the appearance of your loved ones, your worst fears, anything to throw you off course."

A shudder ran through me at the thought. Jonas placed a reassuring hand on my shoulder, his touch grounding me. "We must trust in the compass and each other," he emphasized.

I glanced at my team, noting the determination and apprehension in their eyes. My heart raced, but I steeled myself. "We can do this," I declared, my voice stronger than I felt. "We have to. For all of us."

Chelby's grip on my shoulder tightened, her nails digging in slightly. "One more thing," she added. "There's a chance this could be a trap. Maci's forces are cunning, and they might have anticipated our moves. She desperately wants this compass. Stay vigilant."

Brody looked at her. "According to a magical mirror, we have three tasks to complete before we can enter the catacombs. Do you know what these tasks may be? The mirror hasn't revealed them yet."

Chelby's eyes widened slightly. "A mirror, you say? Was it ornate with an intricate floral design on the frame?"

I nodded. "Yeah, that sounds like it. Why?"

Chelby exchanged a glance with Jonas. "That mirror is known as the Mirror of Aethereal Truths. It was stolen from the Court of Blossoms centuries ago. It's a powerful artifact, known for setting trials to prove one's worth."

Jonas added, "If the Mirror of Aethereal Truths is guiding you, it will not be easy. The tasks it sets are intended to test your heart, mind, and soul. Only the worthy can pass."

Damon released a low whistle. "Great, so it's got a fancy name and a bad attitude."

"I'd like to see this mirror," Chelby remarked.

Zara had been silent, staring at Zeus in awe. "What about the pegasus?"

Jonas shrugged. "He'll be fine. Humans can't see him. He'll graze on the grass."

Zeus neighed as if in agreement.

We entered the manor and led Chelby and Jonas to the mirror on the dining room table. The air inside seemed thick with the scent of lingering magic as if we were suddenly in a rose garden.

Chelby stepped forward, her hand outstretched toward the mirror. I noticed a slight tremor in her fingers as she reached for it. The moment her skin made contact with the cool glass, a ripple spread across its surface like a stone dropped in still water.

The mirror spoke again, using my mother's voice. "I will not return to you until this task is completed."

The words were like a cold frost, settling over us with an unnatural chill. I broke out in goosebumps. When I exhaled, a cloud of mist formed in front of my face, hanging like a ghostly apparition.

I wasn't the only one. As I glanced around, I saw everyone's breath materializing in front of them, wispy tendrils dancing in the suddenly frigid air. It was as if we had been transported to the highlands on a cool fall day despite being indoors.

The voice continued, and my mother's tone grew more urgent. "If the Chosen fail, you guard the boundaries of the Court of Blossoms. The enemy will attack soon."

Chelby gasped and stumbled backward. Jonas caught her arm, steadying her. The mirror's surface stilled, again appearing as nothing more than ordinary glass.

The temperature seemed to plummet further with each passing second. I wrapped my arms around myself, my teeth beginning to chatter. Damon's eyes met mine, wide with awe and apprehension. Even Chelby, usually so composed, was visibly shaking, her lips turning a pale blue.

The mirror's surface remained unnaturally still. The chill emanating from it was almost palpable, as if winter itself was seeping into the room through that small pane of glass.

As we stood there, our breaths mingling like smoke signals, the gravity of the situation settled over us. Whatever magic was at work here, it was powerful enough to alter the environment around us. And if this was only a taste of what we were up against, our task ahead seemed more daunting than ever.