XXIV

"I know what you're thinking." River's gaze turned pleading. "But I swear I'm not crazy."

"I think I need to sit down," Stella mumbled.

"Please don't freak out."

Stella leveled River with a weak glare. A queasiness took hold of her gut. "You want to go into the place where Jax and Ronan were lost to time, faced really scary Otherworld creatures, and basically broke their friendship?" Stella joined River in cringing as her voice cracked in distress. "This is not a good plan. What are you hoping to find? Jax searched for ages for Gods' only know what—power? glory?—and your whole family thinks he's worse off for it."

River took a cautious step toward her and licked her lips nervously.

"Those are all valid points, but I have counterarguments if you'll hear me out." Stella sighed and gestured impatiently for her to go on. River straightened, shifting the false books in her hold. "First, per Bailey's account, Jax and Ronan's time dilation didn't occur immediately. It was only after several trips that time began to pass differently. My theory is that they overused it, which we won't be doing. This is a one-time-only adventure, and I know what I'm looking for."

"You do?"

River nodded. "How familiar are you with the Egyptian Gods?"

Stella stared blankly at her for a moment before shrugging. "Not much. The only ones that come to mind are Ra and Anubis." River expelled a breath as her gaze drifted past her to some far-off point. Stella could practically see the wheels turning in her head. "Right, follow me. I'll explain as I talk."

River didn't give Stella a chance to object, turning heel and heading into the belly of the lab. Stella's lips pursed, but she followed in her wake.

"Anubis is heavily associated with the underworld. He was the God of funeral rites, the Protector of Graves, and what most people remember, as the God who shepherded souls into the underworld. However, at some point in time, he was replaced by Osiris who took the title of Lord of the Underworld from him. Osiris' wife, er, and sister, is Aset. You may know her as Isis."

Stella crossed her arms over her chest. She watched from a short distance as River raided Jax's stock of supplies. She pulled an urn-like vase from high off a shelf and tucked it under her arm.

"Aset, or Isis, is the Goddess of Healing and Magic," She proclaimed triumphantly, her arms already laden with more items: a mason jar filled with blue goo and an iridescent sheen, more than a dozen uniform sticks, and a dagger that made Stella gulp.

"What does this have to do with the Otherworld?"

"Because—" River's features turned down sharply as she paused. "—I'm sorry, do you not know?"

Stella gave an exasperated sigh. "Obviously, not."

River flushed. "Sorry." She cleared her throat and walked up to Stella, finished with her raid. "Jax strongly believes his patron gifted him access to the Otherworld. That it's his patron's domain."

"So, his patron is Aset?"

She shook her head, even as an impish grin stole onto her lips. "It's Anubis. It's not common knowledge, so please don't repeat that."

"If it's not common knowledge, how did you find out?"

Her flush returned twofold. "I pestered him pretty obnoxiously one night about the Otherworld. He was fairly tightlipped about the whole experience because he didn't want me getting any ideas.'" River rolled her eyes. "He did, however, wax on about the grand temple there that housed an eternal library."

"Okay." Stella dragged out the word as her exasperation rose. "So, how does this all connect?"

River's throat bobbed. "I know it's a long shot, but because of the intimate connection with Osiris, I think it can be assumed that Anubis' domain is Osiris' as well. If that's true, then I find it hard to believe some influence of Aset isn't there too. Her love and devotion to Osiris is legendary."

Stella caught on to River's hope. "Which means a chance that some wisdom resides in that library from the Goddess of Magic and Healing, and there's hope for you to break your curse and Irina's."

River got teary-eyed as she nodded and sucked in a sharp breath.

"I don't know what else to do. I've exhausted all my resources here. Even my relationships with the clans have dried up because of the edict." River looked away and took a few steadying breaths. "I can't tell you how badly I want this to work. To be whole for once, and maybe finally figure out where my place is in this world. I have to know I tried everything I could before…"

Stella's breath lodged in her chest as she waited for River to continue. A lance of fear drove through Stella's heart as River ducked her chin and closed her eyes.

"Before what?"

River's shoulders slumped as she glanced at her. "Leaving and seeking answers elsewhere."

"Leaving?" Stella echoed breathlessly. She shuffled forward a step. "But… but what about Irina?" And me? She wanted to add. What about me? You can't leave me here alone.

A ripple of emotions traversed River's face as if reading Stella's mind and more. "The reality is we have eight nights to find a solution. If none of us can do that then she'll have to run with Jakob. To stay means death."

Goosebumps erupted over Stella's skin. Her headache faded to the background as a dull buzzing rang in her ears. She could only stare mutely at River.

Life at court without Bailey… without Nova… and now River? She couldn't bear it. Stella needed them. They anchored her. What would she do without their support? The faintest sensation alighted her soulmark. Stella slammed her eyes shut and cut off the timid suggestion before it could take root.

"Please understand," River pleaded. "I've spent my whole life trying to free my lycanside. Every day that goes by, it feels as if my wolf spirit gets smaller. I know this plan might be a fool's errand." A pained expression lit her face. "That it's risky, and all just theory and supposition, but I have to take this shot. My gut's telling me what's beyond the Mirror of Ways is the key to everything . Please, please help me."

As the stirrings of River's empathetic projection reached Stella, River hastily took a few steps back bumping into the nearest bookshelf. The contents rattled as River lurched sideways. Her features contorted into distress, and Stella could do nothing but watch as she battled to contain her magic.

"I promise I'm not trying to manipulate you into doing this," River whispered.

Stella swallowed. She understood River's struggle. The desperate want to be wholly herself. It's what Stella wanted too. She chewed on her bottom lip, then released a long breath to expel the tension from her limbs.

"We should hurry." River's gaze quickly locked onto Stella's as she spoke, her misgivings put to one side for the moment. "We don't know when Jax will get back."

River's lips parted. "You'll… you'll help me?"

Stella gave a firm nod. "Where do we find the mirror?"

A wide smile split River's face and she hastily led the way to a room nearby. Once she set down the contents in her arms, she launched herself at Stella. A laugh burst from her as she returned River's hug and repeated thanks. When she finally pulled back, Stella studied the room. It was empty save for the large mirror leaning against the far corner. A chill scored her skin as River asked her to lock the door behind them.

"It shouldn't take me long to set up. I need five minutes. Ten tops."

The lock latched with a decisive thud. "Why exactly does the door need to be locked?"

River was already knelt near the mirror arranging all that she'd pilfered from Jax's supplies in front of her. "So, we're not interrupted," she explained and tossed Stella a briefly amused look. "Obviously," she teased with an eye roll, then patted the empty place next to her. "Come on, let me walk you through what we'll do."

By the time Stella shuffled over, River had emptied the contents of her small satchel alongside Jax's supplies and put the glamoured grimoire inside it.

"Aren't we going to use that?"

River shook her head. "It's for after."

Stella's eyebrows rose. "What's everything else for?"

"These are sleep draughts for us to take when I've readied the mirror for our projection." River slid a small glass vial, no bigger than Stella's thumb, in her direction. "Once we're inside, we'll find the temple library. We can't miss it apparently." She passed Stella one of the wristwatches from her satchel. "I wasn't able to do anything spectacular with these, but their times are synced. I thought at least having one way to try and track time would be better than none."

Last, she placed the necklace she had shown her before into her hand. She eyed the uncut piece of lapis lazuli hanging at its end. River already had her necklace on.

"Mine is for clarity," she explained. "Yours is for—are you alright? You're paler than usual?"

"I don't really trust my sleeping hours at the moment," Stella confessed hoarsely.

The room captured and stretched the sudden silence between them with brutal efficiency. River weighed Stella with her gaze. It was the same considering look she'd given her earlier when they discussed her dreams. Fine-spun dread wound about Stella's veins.

"What is it?"

River hesitated. "It's only… I think you can trust them."

Stella's brow immediately furrowed. That couldn't be right.

"The place you described in your dreams. The desert? That's the Otherworld."

Shock froze Stella momentarily before she shook her head in a resounding no. "How would you even know? Bailey explained things to us, but not in that much detail."

"One time I had to assist Ronan and Jax out of the Otherworld. I was able to see the landscape through the mirror. It's as you described."

"And the dogs?"

River took her hand and squeezed tightly. "They're no match against us."

Stella loosed a breath. Real. Those beastly dogs were real . Another squeeze brought Stella back to reality.

"We are powerful. Whatever might stand in our way, I know we're capable of defeating it together." The conviction in River's words and regard buoyed Stella.

"What about the rest of this stuff?" Stella asked, twisting her hand out of River's hold. She didn't want to think about what it meant for her nightmares to be real. It made her head spin.

River spoke and gestured to the remaining items, but none of it registered in Stella's head. She nodded anyway, trying to rid herself of her paranoia and of the awful sense that something bad was going to happen. Something very, very bad.

By the time she snapped too again, River was finishing up painting a slew of markings on the mirror's surface with the blue goo.

"You can get comfortable on the floor." River gestured vaguely to a place in front of the mirror. "All that's left to set up is the incense, and then we can take our draughts."

Stella did as she was told, all the while her quiet dread growing alongside a strange rush of adrenaline and anticipation.

"River?"

"Hmm?"

"This whole operation is based on the assumption the Otherworld is Anubis' domain, at least in some capacity, right?" River nodded as she set up the perimeter of incense. "Then is the Otherworld the right name for it? Shouldn't it be the Underworld ?"

That made River stop, if only for a beat. "Why can't it be both?"

The reply sent a shiver down Stella's back, but she said no more as she got into position.

"Ready?" River asked after settling herself next to Stella.

"Not in the slightest," Stella said.

River regarded her solemnly. "You don't have to do this, Stella. I can find another way in. Maybe if Jax and I combine—" Stella shook her head.

"I'm going in with you." Relief shone in River's eyes. "But you owe me."

Stella wasn't used to hearing that tone of voice come out of her. It was stern—no, not stern, commanding. The relief in River's eyes banked itself for steely determination.

"Agreed. Now let's do this."

Before Stella lost her nerve, she uncorked her small sleeping draught and dumped the contents into her mouth. She swallowed as she lay down. Almost instantly, a fog surrounded her mind. Stella blinked past the dizziness that accompanied it at first, before succumbing with a languid sigh.

"Stella?" River's voice was a distant whisper in her ear. "Stella, come on."

Stella opened her eyes, blinking rapidly when she spied herself and River's prone bodies on the floor.

"You lead the way, remember?" River was to her right, hand outstretched and glowing like the rest of her. Stella looked down at herself. The same glow encapsulated her body. "Stella?"

The simple movement of taking River's hand felt like wading water.

"What do I do?" Stella's voice cast a soft echo.

"Place your hand on the mirror and then push. Don't let go of my hand until we're on the other side."

"That's it?"

At River's nod, Stella moved to the mirror. The same sensation of treading water flowed over and around her body. It was oddly calming. When Stella placed her hand on the mirror's surface it rippled gently, and as she applied the merest pressure it gave way.

"This is so strange." Stella glanced over her shoulder at River.

"Does it hurt?"

Stella shook her head and turned her gaze back forward. "It's like parting water."

She guided them through the mirror without further hesitation. Once River was on solid ground beside her, the mirror's surface was suddenly framed above them. Stella stared at it in mild disbelief. She saw their bodies resting peacefully on the other side of the mirror.

"So strange," Stella murmured again taking a moment to adjust to the pressure of magic in the air. It was like walking through the lab's wards, only here, it was far more substantial and consistent. A thousand tiny pinpricks raced over her body, nettling her nerves and keeping her alert.

River let go of her hand. "Very strange, but not unpleasant. Even here."

Stella looked them both over. They still glowed, but faintly now.

"Do you know where we need to go?"

River snorted. "I think it's pretty obvious, don't you?"

A quick twist around and Stella's eyes landed on the gleaming white temple miles off on top of a hill. The sight of it left her breathless. It was grandiose, even from a distance.

Built for a God , her mind supplied.

"Did you ever have dreams of the temple?"

Stella frowned. "No. I don't think so, at least. I suppose we'll find out when we get there. Either way though,"—she eyed the never-ending drab landscape, a chill toying with her senses—"this is the place from my dreams and nightmares."

It had to mean something, but Stella hadn't a clue what. Was she always meant to come here? What if she'd never been dreaming at all but astral projecting with her latent psychopomp abilities? Stella rubbed absently at her heart. She didn't like either option, but both were plausible.

A scrape of something other pricked at her subconscious. Stella froze. River was already walking toward the temple, but Stella remained where she stood on high alert. A phantom chill settled over her.

We're not alone.

She heard the growl like a phantom on the wind, ghosting past her ear from behind and twirled with a battle cry: her sonic scream. It launched from her on instinct at the two beastly dogs lunging toward her in terrifying synchronicity. The power of her scream tore through them, or rather, the illusion of them.

Stella's cry choked off as the vision of the two beasts rippled and thrashed into nothingness.

"What is it?" River came to a skidded stop at her side, hands outstretched defensively with red sparks emitting from them. She assessed the landscape with a critical eye. "Are you all right? What happened?"

A lump lodged itself in Stella's throat. She cleared it away with effort, avoiding River's probing stare. "I thought I saw something," she explained. "It was just my imagination though, or maybe the draught is messing with my head." She glanced at River and caught her pursed lips.

"Saw what?"

Stella took a breath and lifted her chin in the direction the dogs had been coming from. "The hellish dogs with the black eyes."

The urge to confess that she sometimes saw them while awake died on her tongue as River gave another sweep of the area. Doubt crinkled the corners of her eyes and mouth. Stella glanced away. She didn't need River thinking she was crazy. Stella was certain she'd insist on going back for their safety if Stella's mind was compromised.

She bit down on her tongue. She didn't want to go back.

Stella wanted to see this through despite her fears. Despite her… hallucinations. She needed it, she realized, if only to prove to herself she could pick herself back up again.

Another step forward to make up for the dozens she took back with her bender.

"We should get going," Stella said, voice scratchy. She rubbed her throat absently as she turned back toward the temple. "It's a long way to go."

"Are you sure?"

"Positive."

They walked for what felt like an age to get to the base of the hill. Stella suffered no more episodes, but they were both on edge. Something was watching them. A presence hung in the air that was bigger than themselves. Stella and River had shared a single knowing look and trudged to the temple in silence.

"Finally," Stella groaned as they reached the rough base of the temple's hill. "How many miles was that? Four? Five?"

"Around five, I think," River guessed. She paused to check her wristwatch, and shock sprung onto her face. "It's been fifteen minutes."

"That's impossible." Stella checked her watch. "That's… that's not possible." She flicked the clock's face as if it would inspire rapid action like it usually did for her mantle clock. It refused to cater to her demands.

"It's possible if Godly magic is involved."

Stella's eyes widened, but she said nothing and followed River up the hill. At the top, Stella checked her watch surreptitiously. It had taken them at least ten minutes to climb the hill, yet there'd been no movement on the clock's face.

"This is incredible," River breathed and led them into the temple through a towering archway. "The magic here is so potent. No wonder Jax kept coming back."

Stella made a soft noise of agreement, her eyes darting from one towering column of marble to the next. Every surface glared white, polished to a degree that left Stella squinting.

"This way," River said, excitement leeching into her voice.

"How do you know?"

"There's this tugging at my center." She gestured to her abdomen as she picked up her gait. "The library is close."

River veered down a hall, her pace just shy of a jog. Stella kept right on her heels, refusing to be left behind.

"Are you— oh ." Stella came to a halt as a circular vestibule came into sight. River released a happy note and broke into a run.

"This is it!" River exclaimed as she came to a stop in the middle of the vestibule. She was panting lightly as she twisted and turned to take in the space and the double doors that dominated it.

Stella eyed the space more warily. "What now? We go in?"

Some of River's excitement waned. "Don't you remember how Bailey said it worked with Jax and Ronan? Only Jax could enter."

"I—"—Stella swallowed uncertainly—"I guess I forgot about that part. Which is kind of silly because it's the whole reason Ronan went kind of… crazy, right?" Panic began to set in. How had she forgotten?

River quickly walked over to her and clasped her shoulders. "He didn't go crazy, Stella. His time here was a torment because Jax refused to acknowledge Ronan's pain. Because his best friend chose his greed for knowledge and power over him. I'm not going to do that to you," River told her firmly. "I will move with all the speed I possess and use whatever of my magic works here to find what I need. Once I do, or once I don't, I'll come back to you immediately. I swear it."

Stella waited for the panic to sink its claws in deeper, but none came as she stared River in the eyes. She knew River would stay true to her word. She trusted her.

"Okay," Stella breathed and offered her a shaky smile. "When you get back… I need to tell you some things, okay?"

A flash of surprise alighted River's eyes, but she nodded eagerly. "Of course."

River stepped back and angled herself toward the massive double doors. Then she pulled the dagger out from behind her back. Stella eyed it like it might bite her.

"I have to offer blood to enter," River explained.

Stella's expression shifted to one of discomfort as River slid the blade over her palm. River's cheeks pinched in as blood spilled forth.

"I'll be fast," River promised again, locking eyes with Stella before pressing her bloodied hand against the door. At first, nothing happened, but then the groan of hinges filled the vestibule.

With a grunt, River pulled open one of the doors. A wind swept into the vestibule, warm and welcoming. More pinpricks washed over Stella's body; she turned to catch River's reaction. She gazed at the library with pure awe. With a hitch to her breath, River took a step inside the library but stopped short of entering fully. She cast a look at Stella; her brown eyes were overflowing with hope.

"Go," Stella encouraged her.

The large door closed with a resounding thud behind River and the warmth with it. Stella sighed. Now it was a waiting game.

Stella walked to the wall opposite the doors. She would at least be somewhat comfortable while she waited and sat against the wall. Spending time alone with her thoughts didn't exactly appeal to her, but what other option did she have? She wasn't going to explore the colorless wasteland or poke around the temple itself.

Wrapping her arms around herself, she leaned against the wall and slid down it. Hopefully, nothing came looking for her.

The thought sent a small fission of terror through her, which only tripled as the groan of the doors sounded again. Stella shot to her feet as the same warm breeze whirled through the vestibule. A moment later, someone stumbled out and fell to their hands and knees.

"I did it," they sobbed. "I finally did it. I'm so sorry." The familiar voice made Stella's hair stand on end. "I'm so sorry I took so long. I tried. I swear I tried to get out as soon as I could."

River's head rose. The mass of hair on her head a mess of springy curls and knots…

And a face that was no less than a decade older than it was a minute ago.