The Aurora Stone by G.S Tucker Page B

foolish to have not shared this information. Regardless of how confident he felt, what if the hidden person had harmed Eve as she approached the mirror! Caleb paled at the thought; he really had not considered the possibility that it was a ruse to get to Eve. After all, they had encountered werewolves already and Eve had said she felt they were being watched by something or someone that night. Caleb took the lecture with good grace, as this time Jericho was undoubtedly right; he had placed everyone in unnecessary danger just to boost his ego.
    Eve sat quietly through the whole exchange, feeling bad for Caleb but also understanding that Jericho had a very important point. She made an internal promise not to rush off without them again. Without her, the prophecy could not come to pass, and her brother would be lost forever.
    “I think I will head off to bed; we have a fair journey to the Royal city tomorrow. Goodnight Eve, Jericho,” Caleb mumbled, as he made his way to his shared bedroom. The door clicked quietly behind him.
    “I understand why you admonished him, Jericho; I really think he will be more mindful in the future. It didn’t occur to me that I could be endangering both myself and the two of you when I passed through the mirror. I too will be more careful, and never go anywhere without one of you with me.” Promised Eve, Looking into Jericho’s black eyes. Letting out a sigh and pulling on his ears the mighty Miscurt nodded.
    “I think a lesson has been learned today; it would be best if we made it known to Betty and Albert tomorrow about the cloaked creature, it might have been a guard or something more sinister,” Jericho suggested. Nodding and hoping it was a sleeping guard rather than a hidden foe, Eve bid Jericho goodnight. Before turning in himself, Jericho checked all the locks on the windows and doors. They may be in a cosy cottage with comfortable beds in which to sleep tonight, but they were also in a foreign land, and the Fae were well known for their trickery. Something told Jericho their time spent in Gloria was not going to pass without incident.

    Grimmer made his way through the royal city; he already knew that the companions had not arrived yet, this pleased him. Finding his way into the city park that was overlooked by the castle itself, he cloaked himself in darkness, checking once again for the vial in his pouch. Tomorrow at dusk, they should arrive; tomorrow he would trick them all and end this quest forever. Grimmer wanted this girl dead; she was more powerful than she could ever imagine, and her brother if she found him…he would not allow that to happen.
    “I will destroy the prophecy, and before I kill her, she will know how close she came to finding her twin.” A sadistic smile spread across his grotesque countenance causing his scars to distort his features further. “Yes, I shall break her, kill her twice. First I shall kill her soul with the news of her brother, and then I shall give her the poison and watch her agony.” Grimmer quickened his pace; he wanted to find cover for the remainder of the night.
    The pureness of the land was sickening to him and if it were to rain the droplets would feel like tiny daggers piercing his corrupted flesh. Spying a summerhouse just ahead, he vanished and reappeared within its wooden structure. Grimmer extended his cloak of darkness pushing it out from his body, it flexed like a second skin and slowly expanded, once it had blocked the light from the moon and stars, he knew there was no chance of being seen. Walking to the centre of the room, he took out a small orb from his pouch and held it before himself.
    “Master, I have arrived in Gloria. They have not yet reached the Royal city.” Grimmer spoke to the orb.
    “Good, my servant, I await your report on the girls most horrific demise.” The malevolent tones of his master filled the room. Assuring his will would be done; Grimmer returned the orb to his pouch. Sitting on the nearest