The weight of the cool scalloped plate landed in her palm, and she yanked it out. It nearly slipped from her fingers with her haste. It clattered heavily as she set it on the floor. Grabbing a flagon of water, she dumped water inside and most splashed out of the plate. Sweat coated her skin as she tossed in some salt and quickly stirred it with her finger, thinking of Yavi. Dyna stared at the rippling rings, waiting, hoping—praying.
Nothing.
The mirror didn’t even glow.
“No.” Dyna stirred again, picturing Von’s wife in her mind. Her vision stung as the water settled, but no tears fell. She searched for Geon next. No image appeared. Maybe there were no reflective surfaces around them, or it was because they didn’t have magic. But one of them did. Her hands shook as she added more salt. “Show me Dalton…”
The only reflection on the surface of the mirror was her own.
That day in Hallows Nest, when she asked Von about Dalton, he had not looked at her.I’m afraid I won’t be able to pass on your message, lass. The lad is no longer withus…”
Nausea and disbelief tangled in her stomach. No matter how much Dyna stirred, the salt settled down at the bottom as the water fell still. She felt the shock, but no pain. No tears came, even though they should have. She had taken away her ability to feel the pain, grief now muted behind a wall of magic.
The door to the captain’s quarters creaked open. Dyna hung her head, her fists clenching on the wet floor.
“The water mirror will not show you what you seek.” That confirmation sank a chill through her body.
Did the others make it out?
No.
Elon had told her the truth. She simply hadn’t been listening.
Standing, Dyna dumped the water into the chamber pot and calmly returned the mirror back to her satchel. Her voice was measured, unattached. “What have you done?”
“What needed to be done,” Tarn said.
She made herself look at him, feeling something dark brew inside of her. “You killed them.”
It wasn’t a question. It was a statement her mind needed to hear to allow herself to accept it.
“Yavi was with child.” Dyna searched for a reaction, but Tarn’s expression didn’t change. It wasn’t news to him. “That didn’t matter, did it? She convinced Von to escape with her, and you couldn’t stand it.”
He tucked his hands in his pockets. “I do not suffer traitors in my midst. You know that.”
Witch’s Brew dampened emotion, but it didn’t remove morals. He knew right from wrong. He merely didn’t care.
She may not be able to love or mourn, but there was one emotion that did surface, because it was the strongest one of all. The mood rune burned red with her rage. It pulsed on the walls like a heartbeat, bathing over them.
“Are you a traitor as well?” Tarn watched her intently with his icy eyes. “You didn’t come to join me.”
Dyna smiled as she drew her blades. “I came to kill you.”
She flung a blade.
It sailed through the air—but not for Tarn. His eyes widened as it hurled at the Crystal Core. Her knife shattered the ruby, shards raining down. She sprinted forward and tackled him. They crashed through the doorway and hit the railing, the momentum sending them toppling over.They landed on the deck with Dyna on top of Tarn. She whipped out a second blade to his throat.
His Raiders quickly had them surrounded. Even if they cut her down, she didn’t care. He had to pay for what he had done.
A smirk played on Tarn’s mouth, as if he enjoyed this. Enjoyed how truly violent and enraged she was now.
Tarn’s low voice filled the mere inches of space between their faces. “Look at what became of your sweet, innocent heart. I think I quite like this version of you better.” Hissing, Dyna pressed the knife harder against his pulse and his smile grew. “Careful, Maiden. Your monster is showing.”
“You think I won’t kill you?” she snarled through her teeth.
“It’s not a matter if you will, but if you can.” He didn’t look worried though, as if this were merely a game to him. “Do you regret saving my life?”
“Yes, I do. I won’t do so again.” Dyna moved for the killing blow. Thick ice plated over his neck like armor, and it took over her hand, fusing them together. She jerked to free herself, but he had her trapped.
