“What’s next?” asked Seneca. “Are we done?” Her voice was brittle.
“Did it work?” asked Jake. “I felt some major heat, but I thought there’d be more to it.”
“Magic can be a mere flicker or nothing visible at all,” she said in a matter-of-fact tone. “Do not underestimate subtleties of a spell.” She closed her eyes and stretched her arms. “There is definitely magic in the air.”
“Do we have to wait long?” Conner asked anxiously.
“We shall soon see,” said Wren. “It should not take long to determine if you were successful.”
“And if I wasn’t?” asked Jake.
“We will know that as well,” said Wren.
CHAPTER ELEVEN
The Reflectoire
Wren’s lack of empathy disturbed Jake, but he decided not to dwell on it. He was concerned only for his friend. He spun around when he heard the sound of crackling dry leaves crunching beneath quick-moving footsteps. They all heard the sounds. Unmistakably, someone was coming toward them. Through a tapered path separating rows of fragrant and majestic eucalyptus trees emerged Shayna. She was sprinting toward them.
There were no flashing lights, smoke, or transparent thresholds to step through. It was simply Shayna, with her hair blowing behind her in the breeze. A broad smile stretched across her excited face. Seneca squealed and ran to meet her with Conner close behind. He scooped her up and twirled her around with her feet parallel to the ground before placing her down. Before Jake could take it all in and comment on Shayna’s transformation, he had joined them as they danced around in an entangled embrace. The laughter and cheers were of pure joy and relief. They’d done it. They had saved their friend.
“I guess you missed me. How long was I gone?” Shayna asked as she pulled away from Conner’s lingering embrace. “Did anything go wrong?” She was out of breath as she fanned her face with both hands to keep the tears from streaming down her face.
“A few hours, I think—maybe less. It’s so hard to track time here,” said Seneca. “I’m not really sure.” She turned to Jake and Conner for support, but they stared blankly at Shayna and remained mute. “Thanks, guys,” she mumbled with more disappointment than the intended sarcasm.
“What do you mean? What happened?” Shayna asked. The euphoria was instantly washed away, and her smile disappeared. “Does it have something to do with her?” She looked at Wren.
“No, she’s fine; she works with Rileau. Wren’s the one who showed us how to break you out of the perplex,” said Seneca. “It’s, um, well, it’s something else, actually.” She bit her bottom lip and wasn’t sure how to explain what she’d seen. She looked to Jake for some sign or signal, but he looked dumbfounded.
“Hi, Wren. Thanks for your help in getting me out of the perplex thing,” said Shayna.
“You are quite welcome,” replied Wren as she bowed her head slightly. She extended her hand and smiled.
Seneca took a deep breath and turned Shayna around to face her. “Shayna, you have to listen. What I was trying to say is—well, uh, I mean it’s that, it’s like…” Seneca fumbled with finding the exact words to break the news.
“What? Spit it out already,” said Shayna. “You’re babbling. What are you trying to say?”
“What Seneca is trying to tell you is that you’ve got something on your forehead,” said Conner. He pointed to the spot where their gaze was transfixed.
Shayna swept her hand across her face. “What is it? I can’t feel anything,” she said. “What does it look like?”
“It looks like you’ve got a diamond in your forehead,” said Conner. “I think it looks—”
“A diamond? What the heck are you talking about?” Shayna rubbed her forehead roughly, and her hand moved in a frenzy. “Is it gone? Did I get it off?”
“No, and rubbing it all crazily like that isn’t working,” said Conner.
She huffed as she brushed him aside and grabbed Seneca by the shoulders. “Is it gone, Seneca?” she yelled.
“No—sorry, but it’s still there,” said Seneca. She peeled Shayna’s hands from her shoulders and held them in hers.
“I don’t think it’s coming off. It really looks like it belongs there, because it’s blending in pretty well with the skin around it,” added Jake.
“That can’t be right. There has to be a way for it to come off!” Shayna said. She spun around to face Wren. “Do you know anything about this thing they say is on my face?”
“Yes, I do. It is a reflectoire,” said Wren. “It is quite rare, actually.”
“A reflect-a-what?” asked Shayna as she moved closer to Wren. “Just spit it out! What is it?”
“A reflectoire becomes a part of your being, just as any other appendage or organ,” Wren replied. Her tone was nonchalant. “You are entirely lucky in its placement. It is quite impressive.”
“Lucky! Hello? Somebody please tell me she didn’t just say I’m lucky,” said Shayna. She looked around and noticed the others were staring in awe.
“Maybe it’s not that bad,” said Seneca. She knew she was treading on volatile territory, but she wanted to calm her friend down. “If Wren say’s it’s lucky, maybe we should find out more. We could really use some luck right now.” She forced an ineffective smile.
Shayna rolled her eyes and turned to Jake as the voice of reason. “Jake, what do you think?” she asked, wide-eyed.
“I think it’s cool—different, but it works for you, and it looks great,” said Jake. He hadn’t planned what he was going to say, but he spoke the truth. The more he thought about it, the bigger his smile became.
“Yeah, I like it too,” agreed Conner. “Makes you stand out—not that you need it, but you know what I mean.”
Shayna didn’t react to their flattery; she wanted answers. She had just come through an experience that she hadn’t had time to download to the others, and now she was feeling overwhelmed. “Rileau said nothing of the perplex having side effects—maybe he can reverse it,” she said. The panic in her voice made it evident that Shayna was on the verge of a meltdown.
Seneca scrambled to grab hold of her hand. It felt cold and a bit clammy as she squeezed gently and patted her arm. Seneca glanced at the color fading from Shayna’s cheeks.
“I’m sure I don’t have to stay like this. Or do I? It’s temporary, right?”
“It cannot be reversed, as it belongs only to you. Would you reverse your ability to have sight or the rhythm of your heart?” asked Wren. “It is as much a part of you as the other facets you value.”
“I need to catch my breath,” said Shayna. “This is entirely unfair. Why is this happening to me?” She wanted to cry, but the tears wouldn’t come.
“Your perspective is misplaced,” said Wren. “A reflectoire is bestowed upon only a few. I’ve never seen it granted for a demi-elemental.”
“How do you know that I’m a demi-elemental?” asked Shayna. “Oh, never mind—I’m sure it’s posted all over the Prophecy Daily News.” She closed her eyes to gather her thoughts.
“That’s actually funny,” said Conner. “Maybe that’s the side effect of having a diamond embedded in your forehead.”
Shayna whipped her head around and stared at him with contempt. Seneca readied herself to intervene as she tugged her hand out of Shayna’s death grip.
“Too soon?” he asked meekly. From her expression, he had his answer. “Sorry.”
“Well, I think it looks more iridescent and less like a diamond. It’s perfectly brilliant and beautiful,” said Seneca. She hoped Shayna picked up on her sincerity and didn’t view her remark as just an attempt to defuse the tension.
“Beauty isn’t the most important thing. I know that. However, it would’ve been great to know this was a potential. It’s not like this kind of thing just pops up every day. I mean, come on. Look—dead center on my forehead!” Sha
yna complained, pointing at her new feature.
“If anyone can relate to having appendages that suddenly appear out of nowhere, I’m your girl,” said Seneca. She fluttered her wings for emphasis.
“True, but at least you can hide your wings,” groaned Shayna. “Wren, is it possible to hide this reflectoire?”
“Shayna, wait!” shouted Seneca. “Don’t you think you should find out more before you make it disappear?”
“Like what?” Shayna asked. “Should I figure out what color earrings to coordinate with it? Or test it out to see if I light up a room when I walk in?”
“That’d be a stellar benefit, if you ask me,” said Conner as he nodded with satisfaction.
“No one asked,” grumbled Jake.
“Hey, you guys know how I feel about the dark,” he said. “A handy flashlight whenever you need it!”
“You’re not helping, Conner!” Seneca growled.
“I’m just saying it could help a guy out, you know,” Conner said just as Jake grabbed his collar and yanked him backward. He gagged slightly as his shirt tightened around his throat.
“We’re not talking about you and your issues, dude. Let them handle this,” said Jake sternly as he pulled him several feet away.
“Okay, got it,” Conner moaned.
Jake believed that Shayna just needed time to adjust to her new facial feature. He stared at the glistening stone and its perfect placement. He thought it made her look even more exotic than when he’d first laid eyes on her. His mind flashed to the day when his mother had nearly plowed her down with their minivan. It seemed so long ago, but at that precise moment, they’d been unknowingly swept up in a spell; it was the enchantment to bind them as partners in the dominion. Upon reflection, he realized he had no regrets. He was sure he was on the right path in figuring out his life’s purpose. He knew from the sudden quickening of his heart that Shayna was an essential part of it. The sensation made him smile, but the smile disappeared quickly as his instincts for providing protection rose to the surface.
“Maybe we should listen to this, Conner,” Jake said. “You need to stop the crazy talk! She’s freaked out enough without you trying to make her a human flashlight.”
“You’re right. We need to zero in and get the real down-low info,” said Conner.
They quickly joined the others. Shayna paced with her hands on her hips. Her thoughts were all over the place. She was having difficulty accepting that the reflectoire was a permanent feature. She had flashes of what she’d experienced while in the perplex, but she pushed the images away. She wanted to know why she had been branded without her permission.
“Wren, why do some people get the reflectoire, and others don’t?” asked Seneca. She sensed that Shayna would rather ignore it. She was sure it impacted all of them, and the more they knew, the better.
“What difference does it really make why I got it? At least we know I don’t have to display it for the world to see,” Shayna said before Wren could respond.
“I do not have an answer as to why you were chosen,” said Wren. “I do know that having a reflectoire means you have the ability to absorb dark magic and return it to its originator.”
“Are you freakin’ kidding me?” Conner shouted. “That is hella awesomeness at a peak! Ricochet power!” He jumped high in the air and simulated a slam dunk. Wren watched the exhibition unmoved.
“Ignore him. Just spill it,” said Shayna. “Because now you’ve got me interested.” Her attitude flipped from outrage to intrigue. She wanted to stay composed, but she was having a hard time containing her excitement. “How does it work?”
“As I have stated, a reflectoire is rare. I am not versed in all facets,” said Wren. “I do know that it is like other senses, yet it is like no other. It will react when required.”
“Do you think Rileau will know more?” asked Jake.
“Perhaps,” replied Wren. “He may anoint you with the guidance you will need.”
“Maybe you can answer this,” said Shayna. “Let’s just say, for example, that I want to hide it from view—sort of use it as a surprise attack. Can I do that?”
“It is possible,” said Wren. “Mastery in projecting the reflectoire into your shadow should bestow this.”
“Projecting it into the shadows sounds intriguing,” said Shayna. “Do you know how I do it? Can you show me?” She grinned broadly, and her eyes widened.
“No.”
“No? Are you saying you don’t know how, or you won’t show me?”
“I will not discuss this further—I have said enough. I deplore such endless questioning,” said Wren. “Direct your queries to Rileau. He may elect to teach you if he believes it to be useful in battle.” Her voice quickened as she readied herself. She gathered her cloak and reattached the satchel to her belt. She gazed into the globe of her staff, and her lips tightened. “We must leave this place now, as it is not safe!”
“Seems to me you’re avoiding what you obviously know something about,” Shayna said with a raised eyebrow.
“The only thing I am avoiding is being attacked in the open,” snapped Wren. “Our location was breached when I obliterated Scarge. We must make haste to the castle before we are besieged.”
“Lead the way,” said Jake. “I really want to talk to Rileau about the Glactra.”
“Scarge? What’s a Scarge? Is it contagious?” asked Shayna. “And who or what in the heck is Glactra? OMG you guys, how long was I gone?” She latched on to Seneca’s shoulders and shook her. She could feel the panic setting in. She closed her eyes to relieve a sudden wave of dizziness. She dug her nails into Seneca’s shoulder to steady herself.
“Ouch! That’s a bit rough,” said Seneca. She cringed as she pried Shayna’s fingers away. She knew bruises were sure to follow.
“Sorry. This is just a lot to take in right now. I’m feeling off balance and out of control. I feel like I just stepped off a boat,” said Shayna.
Seneca caught a glimpse of the others making their way to the path with the row of ash trees. “I know, and I get it. I’ll explain on the way, but we’ve gotta go,” Seneca insisted.
“Fine, but I’m getting some answers from somebody,” Shayna said sternly as she followed closely behind Seneca. “When we get back to Rileau’s, remind me to tell you what I saw in the perplex. It’s not good.”
“Okay. Let’s wait until we’re safe,” replied Seneca. She was intrigued and wanted details but resisted. They dashed up the embankment and caught up to the others.
They raced through the woods in virtual silence, with Shayna falling uncharacteristically behind the others. She knew they weren’t far from the castle once they reached a picturesque glen filled with a dense blanket of heavily scented wildflowers.
She slowed down to take it all in: the smells, the sounds, and what she’d experienced. She was aware there’d been a chance of her not making it out of the perplex, and the idea of dying young and alone was an awakening. It was also a reminder of how important it was to stop Brigara. She sighed. Seeing the familiar arched stone bridge outside of Rileau’s castle was a relief. She raced to it and ran her fingers along the cold wall. She loved the feel of the smooth square stones beneath her feet. She knew it wasn’t home, but the feelings of security and comfort were good enough.
Rileau had assured them the castle was cloaked under the most sacred of magic, making it invincible and unlikely to be breached by intruders. Even the grounds outside of the walls were charmed under the same protection. The water that encircled the castle was the first line of defense, since it was enchanted to repel even the darkest of spells. Shayna liked knowing that the more dark spells it encountered, the stronger it grew. She gazed into the calm water. She hoped to see the reflectoire in her reflection, but the water was too dark. She hadn’t noticed before, but the water was actually black. She stood on her toes and leaned over the aged
limestone wall to get a better look. The water was eerily still. She wondered about its depth and the source that caused the water to be so black. How odd, she thought.
“Must have something to do with the protection spell,” Shayna said aloud as she walked through the massive iron doors and rushed to join the others inside.
CHAPTER TWELVE
Intentions Revealed
Returning to the safety of the castle was a relief. Their rooms had been cleaned, and fresh changes of clothes had been set out. Shayna collapsed on the large poster bed nearest the window. She wanted to sink into the stuffed feather mattress and sleep until she awoke in her own bed in the mortal realm. It was a thought she didn’t allow to linger, for fear of getting too nostalgic and forgetting her purpose. She pulled herself up and joined Seneca in getting changed for dinner.
“I’ve got something for you,” Seneca said. Her voice was uncharacteristically cheery. She was anxiously waiting for Shayna, and her excitement was out of character.
“Oh, do you?” Shayna said with suspicion.
“I think you’ll like it. Actually, I’m pretty sure you’re going to love it.” Seneca laughed.
“Okay, you’re scaring me now.”
“Ta-dah!” Seneca shouted. She smirked when she noticed Shayna had closed her eyes tightly.
“What is it? Just tell me! You’re freaking me out.” She was now positive she wasn’t going to like anything that caused Seneca to sound so upbeat.
“Open your eyes, and check it out for yourself.”
“Check what out? I dunno about that. I’m pretty sure I don’t want to see whatever it is you’re trying to show me.” Shayna shut her eyelids tighter.
“Oh, I think you’re gonna wanna see this—trust me,” Seneca said in a singsong voice.
Shayna shook her head, braced herself, and opened her eyes slowly. She batted her eyes several times to regain focus as she leaned forward. Seneca held an ornate mirror right at eye level. Shayna finally saw what the others had seen: the reflectoire was exquisite. She raised her fingers to it, and it warmed to a sapphire blue. As she lowered her hand, it faded to the previous hue.