The tram arrived, a boxy-looking thing with several connected cars that rode along the rails from one end of the campus to the other. When my turn came, I climbed onto the open platform and stepped inside a car, putting my fears aside. I knew I was doing the right thing by marrying Kull. I’d never been more sure of anything in my life. If I happened to drive a wedge between the Wult people and their king, possibly starting a civil war that would end in Kull losing the throne and the destruction of an entire group of people, then so be it.
Worse things could happen.
Chances were that we were all about to be charred to a crisp by a massive, flaming asteroid. If so, none of it would matter anyway.
I was all about positive thinking.
The ride across campus took us past a replica space shuttle mounted atop a Boeing jumbo jet, an impressive feat of engineering that towered over the other buildings on the grounds. After exiting the tram, I made my way through the maze of buildings and finally found Beast, my newly nicknamed Thunderbird, yellow with black stripes down the sides, that hailed from the time of bell-bottom pants and disco music. I climbed inside, cranked the engine on the second try, and drove away from NASA.
An hour later, after finally making it back to my apartment, I walked across the cracked asphalt parking lot toward my building. A stiff breeze brought the salty scent of the sea. Across from my apartment complex, I spotted the Gulf of Mexico. The water was brown today, as it had been for most of the winter. Soon, with the arrival of spring, I was hopeful the silt-laden currents from the Mississippi River would shift, bringing in the clearer waters from the south, turning the ocean blue once again.
It was the little things I looked forward to.
My phone rang, and I pulled it out of my pocket. Dr. Hill’s number appeared on the screen, and I answered it.
“You’re late,” he said.
Drat. I’d totally forgotten he’d wanted to meet with me. “Sorry. I got caught up with some work stuff at NASA. I’m on my way.”
“Don’t bother,” he said. “I can stop by your apartment on my way home. Be there in a few minutes if that’s okay with you.”
“Sure, it’s fine,” I lied. My apartment was a wreck. I hoped he didn’t mind clutter. “Come whenever you like.”
I ended the call, rushing up the stairs to my door. After I unlocked it, I went inside, shutting the door behind me. Turning, I almost tripped over Han Solo, my cat, who stood at my ankles. I knelt and patted his head as I scanned my apartment-turned-workshop. I’d attempted to make a new mirror box with little success. Failed attempts sat on every available surface. From a gutted music box, glue guns, wooden craft boxes of various sizes, and several small mirrors, my place was a mess. It would have helped if I had an actual workshop, but I made do. Just hadn’t planned to have company over.
Gathering the collected items, I shoved a few boxes inside the cupboards and stashed the mirrors under the table. As I worked, I couldn’t help but wish I had my old mirror back. Nothing I created now felt right—not the way my old one had felt—almost like it had been an old friend.
My former mirror case had been destroyed by elves. I still had trouble coming to terms with what had happened that night. The elven queen had enacted a ritual that brought an ancient goddess, Theht, back to our world. And she’d killed one of my friends to do it.
The only positive thing to come of it was that the queen hadn’t fully taken control of the goddess yet. If she had, I would no longer be here.
Replacing my mirror case had been harder than I’d thought. The odd thing was nothing I’d created actually worked. I’d attempted to open a portal several times and failed. I could only assume the impending arrival of the asteroid must’ve been affecting my magic. In a last-ditch effort, I’d finally settled on something that was extremely temporary, but I hadn’t even tested it yet. Wasn’t sure if it would work, either.
I’d just stashed the last box under the counter when a knock sounded at the door. I crossed the room and opened it to find Dr. Hill on the other side.
He stood tall as he straightened his bow tie, the afternoon sun glowing on his deep brown skin. The man had an air of refinement about him. With his pressed Armani suit and graying hair along his temples, Dr. Hill fit the definition of distinguished in every possible way. Although I considered him a friend, I would always feel self-conscious around him, especially in my current attire of a Nirvana T-shirt, jean shorts, and bare feet with chipped black polish on my toenails.
“Hi, Dr. Hill. Come in and sit down,” I said.
“Yes, thank you.”
“Would you like something to drink?” I asked. “I’ve got… Well, there’s water. I can put ice in it if you’d like.” Curses. Why didn’t I ever keep lemonade on hand?
“No, but thank you, Olive. I’m actually in a bit of hurry.” He took his customary seat on the sofa across from me. My cat mewled from his spot on
