Whatever had caused them to stop was only momentary and the men started to sprint after them. As Gaius looked over his shoulder to see how much the men were gaining, a column of fire came down between them.
Ember. Another burst of fire barreled between them again. Gaius knew that was as close as the dragon dared to aim without scorching them too. Capitalizing on the men’s distraction, and the smoke, Gaius ducked right into another alley and kept running.
They didn’t stop sprinting for several minutes. Occasionally a shadow from the moonlight formed in the shape of a dragon. When finally conscious of relief, several other feelings started to creep in as well. He was no closer to finding his relic. Despite his magic, his lead, it was nowhere. Would he ever find it? Whoever had it was too slippery and obviously knew what he was doing, paying people to cover his tracks.
And how exactly had they escaped? It wasn’t by the mental pressure he normally employed. Ithadfelt like pressing, but it was something different. Had he caused it?
They slowed to a quick walk, but neither man spoke. Then, in the moonlight, another thought came into his mind.
Perhaps he should have stayed at Rosings and enjoyed Cassia’s smiles. Maybe he ought to be more bold in his feelings toward her. Surely after what had happened with Ember in the woods she must know, at least to some degree, that he cared for her.
By the time they came back to Blythesome’s townhouse, he had made up his mind. The relic was out of his control, it was gone, lost. It even seemed like, for one moment, his power was out of his control. But he could control his pursuit of Cassia. He ought to cut right to it and ask for her hand. If he didn’t, someone with more naturally inviting manners, like his cousin, might beat him to it. In this case, as always, second wasn’t a suitable option.
Chapter Ten
“I am rather putout that Darkwood could not be here,” moped Magess Degowyn later that week. “At least Caliazo has not deserted us.”
For the first time ever, Cassia agreed with the Magess on something, but only on her sentiment toward Caliazo.
“Thank you,” said the Colonel, finishing his perusal of the room with a wide smile toward Cassia.
Caliazo had called again yesterday and Cassia couldn’t help but admit she liked his attentions. It also conveniently removed her from the fretful interactions of Mistress and Master Clovis, which were starting to wear on her nerves.
“I hope you all enjoyed dinner,” said the Magess with great gravity. “Now, for the most important of all our events.” The old lady swished her hand and what Cassia had thought was a wall gathered away into a corner like a stage curtain.
“Oh!” cried Gynelle, glancing toward Cassia. A huge cavernous room opened before them. Several handheld mirrors rested on top of different tables, and that made up the only furniture in the room. Cassia realized then she should have guessed mirrors to be involved, based on the dress she wore. Each of the three ladies had donned similar versions of a frosty-silver gown, which shimmered with any movement. Somehow when she stopped, the pieces of the dress seemed to form together into a reflective, although still moveable, material. Cassia had nearly jumped when she glanced at her lap at dinner and saw herself staring back. The shock and awe from the Clovises had settled and the Magess began again.
“These are the Mirrors of Dionia. The great Merlin himself once traveled to Dionia, Africa and brought them back. He had heard of the magical properties from the villagers there. It has been said that anyone who lifts the mirror will find their own face in the reflection, but the scene will reveal something new to the viewer, a revelation or insight into something hitherto unknown.”
“Oh my!” said Master Clovis, drumming his fingers together. “Who shall be first?”
“The ladies of the party,” chided the Magess, lifting her index finger toward Master Clovis. “There are two mirrors, so let us start with the Retton sisters.”
Gynelle stood immediately, but Cassia did not budge.
The Magess clapped her hands. “Do not be afraid, ladies.”
Gynelle seemed overly willing. She moved to Cassia and took her by the arm. “Come, it will be fun! Aren’t you intrigued?”
Seeing no other choice, Cassia rolled her eyes and slowly stood. The Magess had positioned herself next to the two tall tables and wielded a smile Cassia couldn’t trust.
“I shall only look into the glass, your Ladyship, if I don’t have to disclose what I see.”
The greyish, harsh lined eyebrows plunged downward. “Do you not wish to know insights into your own life?”
“I think I am just as curious as the next person, but I do not wish to feel compelled that I must share what I see with everyone.”
Cassia didn’t remove her gaze and the Magess’ color rose on her pale cheeks.
“I think that is quite fair,” piped in the Colonel. “Share only if you wish.”
The friendly tone seemed to remind the old woman of her purported manners. “Yes, of course, my dear nephew.” Ever since Magess Degowyn had pestered Gynelle about their family particulars, Cassia couldn’t help disliking the woman.
Cassia bestowed a smile toward Mage Colonel Caliazo. How good of him to keep his aunt’s nosiness in check. How many scrapes would he smooth over? She turned to the oval, silver-filigreed mirror and raised it just as Gynelle did the same. Cassia waited a moment, expecting her reflection, when instead she saw herself standing in the mirror. It was as though she were watching a scene in the glass. With held breath, Cassia viewed herself stride across a room. Then, the version of herself in the glass held up a mirror, just like she had moments earlier. In an instant a few more mirrors swirled around her, reflecting her person over and over. Then, without notice, the mirror was rendered blank, and the scene instantly emptied to the bottom of the glass. The mirror she held turned completely silver again, not reflecting anything.
Cassia blinked, but the scene was gone! She whipped her head to the side toward Gynelle. By the similar amount of blinking, hers seemed to also have an abrupt ending.
“So,” inquired the Magess, “Will you concede to reveal to us what you saw?”
