The Angel of Elydria (The Dawn Mirror Chronicles Book 1) by A. R. Meyering Page A

looked at her with great compassion. Penny realized she had been holding her breath since the tall woman had floated in and let it out.
    “Good evening, my child.” The woman’s voice was deep and dulcet. Sadness hung in her gray eyes in a way that frightened Penny. The High Priestess turned back to the doorway to where Armonie was entering. “Would you mix a tincture of quillow bark potion for her, Armonie?”
    “Yes, Madam Priestess,” Armonie complied, bowing.
    “Please, if you don’t mind, can you…” Hector implored, wringing his hands together. The priestess turned to face Hector and put her delicate, light brown hand on top of his. He flinched a little at her touch.
    “What name may I call you, brother?” she asked.
    “H-Hector Arlington is my name, but what—”
    “Mister Arlington, I’m afraid that I have unfortunate news,” she admitted.
    Before Penny had time to feel another surge of fear, she felt ceramic touch her lips as Armonie poured a bitter potion into Penny’s mouth. She swallowed, feeling a thick drowsiness come over her as some of the biting pain eased.
    “What do you mean?” Hector choked.
    “We’ve found the seeds of the vententula plant in your friend’s blood. The seeds use the flesh of living organisms for nourishment until they can sprout and grow into a mature plant,” the High Priestess said.
    This information sent Penny into a nauseating whirl. Somewhere beyond the amplifying, drug-induced haze of serenity, a chasm of terror cracked open in her heart.
    “ What? ” Hector took a sharp intake of breath, withdrawing his hand and clutching his chest. “You can’t be―”
    “I’m terribly sorry, but there is no cure for this condition. She won’t have very long. The medicine Armonie gave her will help her pass into the Dawn Mirror without pain or fear. All you can do is stay by her side and comfort her, and if we can―”
    “NO! I refuse to accept this. Please―there’s got to be something I can do.” Hector stood up, startling both Armonie and the High Priestess. His chest was heaving with emotion as he looked down at Penny. The whole scene felt distant to her, as if she was watching it on a movie screen at the end of a very long, dark hall. She could feel the rumbling of thoughts and frantic longings bubbling below the surface of clarity, but could not access them.
    “Big brother, please try to stay calm.” Armonie hastened to his side and tried to help him sit back down, but he jerked his arm from her grasp.
    “I will not let this happen. You don’t understand. She cannot die―I promised her that I would get her home.”
    The priestess drew a breath as if to speak, but Hector held up his hand to stop her. He glanced back down at Penny as if to make certain she was asleep. “I beg of you, is there nothing I can do?” Hector lowered his voice so that Penny could barely hear what it was he was saying. “This is my fault…she trusted me to take care of her…Madam, I—I’ve made so many mistakes in the past, Madam. Every day I regret I couldn’t…I simply cannot allow this. I—I’d never recover. Please. Help her. ”
    The priestess faltered for one moment and looked at her shoes, her eyes bearing the weight of a difficult decision. She opened her mouth to speak, but Armonie stopped her, the young woman’s eyes wide.
    “Madam Priestess, you mustn’t! What if someone from the Cathedral gets wind?”
    “Armonie, please hold your tongue. I am well aware of the consequences.” The priestess shot her a look and Armonie fell quiet.
    “What are you talking about? Please, Madam,” Hector begged. The High Priestess hung her head. When she spoke it was in little more than a whisper, as if she were afraid of someone overhearing.
    “Are you willing to risk your life for this girl?” she breathed to Hector, her clear eyes full of defiance. Armonie put her hands over her mouth and sat down hard. Hector nodded without hesitation.
    “If you are fully ready