I’m not even surprised. I never liked him, he was strange from the beginning, but my mind is too focused on my friends to care about this clown right at this moment. A small voice whispers about how Opal clearly suspected this. That was why she felt no urgency to rescue the Druid.
“You’ve been working for her,” I say. My aunt knew it. I should’ve known it.
“Not in the beginning,” he says, shrugging. “But I’m old and worn out. I want to be on the winning side, whatever that is. And a Siren who has taken over a whole city while the coven of witches cower up north? That’s the side I must be on, I’m afraid.”
“Alona trusted you.”
“She’s too emotional,” he sighs. “She’ll learn.”
I blast another spell and this one hits him. He stumbles but remains standing, glaring at me.
“I don’t want to hurt you,” I say sullenly. “Even now. You’re just in my way.”
“Portia wants to wait for you to come to her, but I’d rather bring you in myself. This creature, too. That’s what I came for. You’re a nice little added bonus.
Then she’ll—”
“Then she’ll respect you for the creepy, brown-nosing minion that you are? Good luck with that. You’re not taking me anywhere.”
I turn around, prepared to return to Marley and Blue. My gait is clumsy and jerky.
I hear the Druid tell the strange creature, “Stop her.”
I feel and hear it chase me, before my waist is seized and I’m jerked backwards.
Chapter NINETEEN
Reflection
I yelp as we grapple. The more I struggle, the more it fights, and I cannot stabilise myself enough to use my magic. I kick out at the thing, but it’s able to hold itself more gracefully than I can.
“Hold her there,” the Druid says casually, and the creature obeys.
It wraps around me from behind like a straight-jacket, and I can’t see if it’s still wearing my face. “Portia wants me alive.”
“I suppose.”
Blue suddenly roars. It’s a frightening sound, even I flinch. The Druid gasps, seeing her properly for the first time. She charges and he throws up some kind of enchanted shield locking me, himself and the creature inside a protected dome.
“Why did you make it look like they kidnapped you?” I demand.
“They never came for me, I joined them voluntarily,” he admits, his eyes scanning the dome he has made, checking it for flaws. I suppose the fear of a dragon is a good motivator for casting a secure charm.
“What is this thing?” I force out through a clenched jaw, still struggling against the strange shapeshifter.
“Quite fascinating, isn’t it?” says the Druid, and his tone is genuine. He moves nearer to us. “It seems keen to obey and it can transform its own image to mirror the appearances of others. Or their memories. Quite the potential weapon, I can see why Portia wants it. It’s from a neighbouring loch, must have swum to this one. Clever. She calls it the Ripple.”
“I don’t care what she calls anything,” I say bitterly. I turn to look towards Marley and Blue. I wave my arms frantically, signalling for them to leave. I see Blue snort and Marley shakes his head determinedly. I continue to gesticulate.
“Go,” I say hoarsely, my throat like sand. “Get out of here!”
Marley’s face hardens in resolve. He jumps down from Blue and starts to run, around our strange dome and in the direction of the house.
I’m relieved and terrified.
“Portia wants me for her council,” I say, rounding on the Druid. “They’ve captured Alona. Don’t you feel guilty?”
“They won’t hurt her,” he says shrugging. “They’ll return her safely if I hand you over. And this thing, they want it more than anything.”
“It’s a thug,” I snarl. “Why can’t we fight fair? You scared of a girl?”
He smirks. “I think you overestimate your abilities. You’re good at antagonising people, I give you that. But how much work do you actually put into your craft?”
“Order this creepy thing to let me go and let’s see,” I say, deceptively calm.
He considers me, doubt flashing in his eyes for a microsecond. “Release her.”
The Ripple obeys and I let out a whoosh of sound as my arms are suddenly free. I fall forward and take too long to get my balance; he has already raised his arms. While the shielded dome remains, he has enough skill to prepare a hex. I rush myself through the internal prep, but I can only manage a defensive jinx, one that knocks his spell to the side.
“If that’s the best you can do, I’m not worried,” he laughs, darkly. “I think you overestimate your importance.”
I glare up at him. “No. I am important.”
I use both hands to blast a hex towards him, and I feel the energy sag out of me as I do. It’s alarming. He is merely toying with me, I’m not strong enough to defeat him. The sinking realisation hits me. I try to call to the water, my best element, but the shield is
too strong.
I deflect some of his spells, but he throws more at me so casually, until my knees give in and I’m on my side.
