Rapunzels and Powers

2. Dex

A young Grayson appears in the mirror’s reflection. She’s all knobby knees, puffy hair and a determined gaze. I can’t help but smile.

“That’s you as a child.” I state. “You’re perfect.”

Grayson takes a half-step backward. “I don’t understand. The mirror should show Professor Tallon.”

Inhaling, I catch the tang of sweat on the air. Grayson’s afraid.

Grayson’s afraid.My heart sinks. My vita has been through so much. For years, the Prism Master and Lady R teamed up to bring Grayson down. Now my vita must help save Wulfhelm. I know Grayson can handle it, but that isn’t enough.

She needs to know it.

She Inside the mirror, Young Grayson steps into a massive dome-shaped room. The floor is a large cross-section of a tree trunk, while the dome itself is all packed dirt accented by thorny roots. A mismatched collection of mirrors lie embedded in the walls.

I remember this place. It’s the same ceremonial chamber where pack Alpha Ishir and Osmos Queen Xao tried to recharge the magic of Wulfhelm. Sadly, Lady R and the Prism Master sabotaged the ceremony. Both Xao and Ishir died.

I remember this placeWhy is young Grayson in such a dangerous spot?

Why is young Grayson in such a dangerous spot?The ceremonial chamber looks intact. Young Grayson must be visiting before Lady R and the Prism Master destroyed everything. The realization makes my inner wolf growl with anger. Young Grayson could still be at risk.

I gesture to the mirror. “That’s the ceremonial chamber we saw before.”

Grayson’s eyes are glassy. “I’m not sure that’s a good thing.”

Grayson’s scent of sweat and fear grows stronger. I move to stand behind her. Inch by inch, I wrap my arms around her waist, guiding her back to rest against my chest. Leaning in, I whisper in her ear. “You don’t know this yet, but you’re a match for anything.”

Grayson exhales. “Keep talking like that, and I just might begin to believe it.”

In the mirror’s reflection, Young Grayson clears her throat. “Hello.”

A voice sounds in the distance. “How did you get in here?”

My shifter hearing makes it easy for me to recognize the second speaker. “That’s Queen Xao.”

Grayson’s spine stiffens against me. “You’re right.”

While the mirror focuses on Young Grayson, Queen Xao continues to speak from a distance. “You may return to the practice room, Grayson. I’ll join you there to look at your casting.”

“But the mirror’s in here with me.”

“What?”

Queen Xao steps into the mirror’s reflection. She’s a tall woman with strong limbs and pointed ears. Each scar on her face represents a powerful mirror that she’s created. In her right hand, Xao holds a rose. Life in the Faerie Realm is strange, but that rose is especially odd.

Why would Xao tote around a flower? I make a note to ask Grayson about that later on.

Why would Xao tote around a flower?Xao leans around the mirror’s frame, as if she’s looking for hidden wires. When she next speaks, it’s half to herself.

“However did you manage that?”

Young Grayson screws up one side of her mouth. “Manage what?”

“Getting this mirror in here.”

“Oh, I got tired of waiting so I asked it to follow me.” Young Grayson stares at Xao in the way children do when they think their elders are missing something that’s beyond obvious. “Isn’t that what you do?”

“Not exactly.” Xao places her palms on the mirror. “You cast this. You.”

Young Grayson shrugs. “Me.”

Xao’s not the only one who’s surprised. I can’t believe what I’m seeing, either. Somehow, Young Grayson conjured a mirror that cut through time in order to send her older self a message.

This changes everything.

Based on the failed ritual by Ishir and Xao, I figured we’d need a group of osmos and shifters in order to recharge the magic of Wulfhelm. That could take years. But, if Grayson’s a magical prodigy, then anything is possible and soon. Pride and excitement churn through me. My inner wolf wants to howl with joy.

The Faerie Realm is already filled with wonders.

Yet Grayson rises above them all.