“If that’s so, then how did you get to my world?”
“Through a portal,” I answered. His grip tightened, compressing my wrists, making my scars burn.
“I don’t believe you,” he hissed.
“It’s the truth! I’m not the only one who used a portal to get here. There was a creature, a bloodthorn, who also came here. And a man called Geth who traveled—”
“What did you say?”
“Geth, a powerful Spellweaver from my world, also came here through a portal.”
Recognition lit his eyes.
“Do you know him?” I asked.
His grip loosened the tiniest bit. “I know him. He crossed me, then disappeared, but it happened more than half a decade ago. None of my people could locate him. We searched everywhere.”
“That’s because he left through a portal. You never would have found him.”
“You’re telling the truth?”
“Yes, I have no reason to lie to you. My companion and I are here to help you overcome the Regaymor, like we said. We crossed through a portal to help you.”
“Can you show me these portals?”
“I don’t think that would be a great idea.”
“Why?”
“They’re dangerous. We had to wait until our spring equinox to cross, and even then, the portal almost tore us apart.”
He grasped my wrists a moment longer, but finally, he released my hands. “Why didn’t you tell me sooner where you came from? Why did you use the amulets and lie to me?”
“Because I never would’ve gained entrance into your tower otherwise.”
Heaving a sigh, he turned away from me. “You should have told me the truth sooner.”
“Yes, you’re probably right, but how was I to know if I could trust you or not? How was I to know you wouldn’t kill me for claiming to be a stranger from another world?”
“I wouldn’t have killed you.”
“How was I supposed to know? You have a reputation of being a powerful warlock. I was afraid of you.”
“Very well,” he conceded. “I suppose I understand why you didn’t tell me the truth, but using the amulets was a foolish and extremely dangerous move. You are lucky I didn’t kill you.”
I rubbed my wrists, the skin tender and most likely bruised. “Yes, I agree.”
“Tell me, what is the real reason you have come here?”
“I’ve told you—”
“No!” he bellowed. “You have told me nothing. I want the truth, or I shall kill you where you stand.”
I fisted my hands. I would fight him, but not unless I had to. “I have come here because the Regaymor have crossed from your world to mine. They tried to call Theht to my world.”
“Why would they do that?”
“Because they know she has abandoned you here. They know Theht wants a new life in my world.”
He glanced away. “So Theht is abandoning our world for yours.” His voice turned sad. “I should have known such a thing was happening.”
“She hasn’t crossed into my world yet,” I said. “She doesn’t have the power, and we’d like it to stay that way. If she comes to my world, she will destroy it, kill everyone, and make it her own, and she’ll bring the Regaymor with her.”
“But isn’t there a way to make her stay here? My people are dying, and those remaining are starving and suffering.”
“Perhaps,” I said. “If you prove to her that you can survive the Regaymor onslaught, she may come back. I don’t know that for sure, but it’s worth a try.”
“But we’ve tried to stop them and can’t! Their sheer numbers overwhelm ours by millions to one. Nothing but that sword has the ability to repel them, yet no one can control it.”
“Then you must show it to me. I can teach you how to use it.”
He locked his jaw. “I cannot. Its location is a secret that I dare not reveal to anyone.”
I should’ve known as much.
“You don’t have a choice, Jeven. This is the life or death of your people—of you! Let me teach you to use the sword’s magic so you can finally be free.”
He stood straight, seeming to mull over my request. “Do you really believe you can control its magic?”
“I know I can.”
“Very well,” he finally relented. “You will teach me to use its magic, but I cannot allow you to touch the sword.”
“Why?”
“Because that is the way it must be.”
I eyed him. What did he think would happen if I touched the sword? But this was my chance to find out where the sword was being kept.
“Fine,” I agreed. “I won’t touch it.”
He nodded, then led me down the stairs. My broken amulet lay at the bottom of the tower, but Jeven steered me toward the doors, so I had no choice but to leave it behind. Not that it would do me any good now.
I followed Jeven back the way we’d come. When we reached a passage, he led me to an unfamiliar part of the castle. We came to a door, and he opened it. After entering, we saw a staircase leading down. Dim lighting illuminated the roughly hewn stone walls and floors. The damp air made me shiver. I followed Jeven down the stairs, and we stopped when we reached a wooden door.
I felt magic, a faint hum that pulsed from the worn wood. Jeven pushed it open and led me inside another hall that had several paths branching away from it. Mirrors hung in random spots along the walls. I sucked in my breath as I felt the magic coming from the reflective glass. There was powerful magic here.
We walked through the passageways, passing the mirrors as we went. I breathed deeply as the tide of magical power tried to overwhelm me. We reached the end of a hall where a large mirror took up the back wall. Its embellished golden frame surround the oval-shaped, onyx-colored glass.
This was no ordinary mirror. It didn’t look much different from the rest, yet its enchantment was strongest. I felt something else, too. A faint purplish glow came from the surface of the glass, making me realize that magic from the unicorn’s stone must’ve been fueling
