“I refused!” Narcissus held up his hands in a warding gesture.
“He did,” I confirmed. “I heard him. In fact, the Mirror was enraged by his refusal and has threatened to kill us all; including Narcissus.”
“We think it's because I told it that you're going to help me escape,” Narcissus grumbled. “It would have found out eventually; it listens. But still, I shouldn't have said anything.”
“It's fine, Narc,” I said. “I'll forgive a lot for the simple fact that you refused to murder us.”
“Narc?”
“Sorry; I tend to shorten people's names.” I made a self-derisive snort. “I guess that didn't work out so well.”
“No, it's fine,” Narcissus said. “I don't mind.”
“In the modern world, a narc is a lawman who specializes in arresting drug dealers,” I explained. “Drugs are called narcotics.”
“That's a Greek word too,” Narcissus grinned. “It means 'to make numb.'”
“Yes; that's where they got the name.”
“Fantastic.” Trevor rolled his eyes. “Yes; the Greeks influenced a lot of shit. Do you want some Windex or can we move on?”
I burst out laughing as Kirill rolled his eyes, and Narcissus just frowned in confusion.
“Well done, Honey-Eyes.” I slapped Trevor's shoulder in approval. “Nice movie reference.”
“Thanks.” He smirked at me.
“I zink ve should try to contact Odin again,” Kirill said. “He needs to know zis has become dangerous situation.”
“We can't,” I said. “I just saw Morpheus in my dream, and he said that Odin locked the mirror inside my dressing room and is keeping everyone away from it until they find Nemesis.”
“You can speak to people through your dreams?” Narcissus asked with awe.
“I have a friend who's a dream god,” I explained. “Morpheus. You know him?”
Narcissus frowned. “Isn't he related to Nemesis?”
“She's his aunt.” I nodded.
“Nemesis is Morph's aunt?” Trevor asked. “That's helpful.”
“Why?” Narcissus asked.
“Because he's our friend and can convince Nemesis to help us,” Trevor answered.
“He also said that Nemesis is required to help me because I'm an Olympian,” I added.
“You're an Olympian?!” Narcissus gaped at me. “Why didn't you say so?”
“It's kind of a new thing for me.” I shrugged. “And I didn't think it was important.”
“You didn't think it was important?” Narcissus asked in disbelief. “You're practically a celebrity in my pantheon. But how? You're not Greek.”
“Another long story.” I sighed. “I'll tell you after we get out of here. First, clothes for the guys and then let's get out of this room.”
“Right.” Narcissus nodded at the men and the clothes they'd been wearing when we first arrived took the place of their swimming trunks.
“Is there anywhere in this palace that you'd consider to be safe from the Mirror?” I asked Narcissus. “Somewhere we can hole up until Nemesis releases us?”
Narcissus thought about it. “The closer I am to the frame—the Mirror's portal—the less I can affect the landscape. I think the Mirror's magic is focused on the boundary there and must keep it as it is. If we stay near the glass, I think we'll be safe”
“That makes sense,” I agreed. “It's a weak point; an access point.”
“Let's get to that frame,” Trevor said as he started striding for the door.
He never made it; none of us did.
Chapter Fourteen
Walls rocketed up between us; separating Narcissus and me from the others. We all started shouting and pounding frantically on the barriers and searching for a way through. As we did, the grass changed to metal beneath my feet while the trees and pool disappeared. A new ceiling popped into place only a few feet above my head.
“Vervain!” Narcissus' hand was on my shoulder; shaking me violently. “Run!”
We were in a metal corridor and the wall at the far end was moving closer; rapidly. I gaped at it.
“I'll find you both; just stay alive!” I hollered at my husbands, and then I ran.
A single path yawned open before us, the Mirror herding us into the gloom. I couldn't do anything about it, though. The metal plate scraped closer and closer; effectively forcing us down the corridor. We made it to a door at the end, and Narcissus yanked it open.
We rushed through, and he slammed the door shut behind us. A deafening clamor announced the impact of the metal plate against the door. The palace shivered and then stilled. I shivered and stilled too. It had been awhile since I'd had to run for my life, but how do you stand your ground against a metal plate?
I looked around the room we occupied warily. A bedroom. A grand one. A Greek one. The bed ruled the room on a marble pedestal with columns at each corner instead of posters. A crown of narcissus flowers floated over the center of the bed; trailing sheer, violet curtains over the tops of the columns and then down to the mosaic floor. Patterns of more narcissus flowers wound through the mosaic but soft, sage-colored rugs covered the artwork in places.
A collection of chaise lounges, similar to those in the main room, sat to the side of the bed and a rectangular table was placed behind them; sectioning off the room. On the other side of the table, a sunken tub dominated the space with more columns set in a circle around it. White narcissus flowers draped between the columns in garlands, interwoven with other greenery. Beneath them and beside the tub, a stone bench held a stack of neatly folded towels. And then there were the mirrors.
Mirrors hung on every wall and reclined on nearly every surface that could support them. The ceiling above the bed even sported one. My face grimaced at me everywhere I looked.
I turned my grimace on Narcissus. “Let me guess; this is your bedroom.”
“How did you know?” He gaped at me as if I were psychic.
“Between those damn flowers and all the mirrors, it wasn't a big leap.” I rolled my eyes.
And then I noticed the curtains. Where there are curtains, there's usually a window. I rushed over and yanked the drapes open, revealing a huge window. An antique style; one of those types
