Mirror Lake 2 The Journey to Save the Magic
Chapter 5 The Warden

Man, my back side hurts! I’ve been driving for hours. Even after getting out and stretching for a bit, the drive was freakin' 13 hours long! We had to stop for breaks so it was closer to 15 hours in that blasted Jeep! (Even after hiking for an hour and a half it still hasn’t helped.) I know I totally could have let Nate drive, but the poor dude still looks horrible. I tried to take his mind off of things back home and it seemed to work… Kinda.

To tell the truth, he looks sorta like a hollowed out shell of the guy who, just yesterday couldn’t take his hands off my sister and made Becky upset that they were late for our party. Not that I blamed him! If I had a wife, I’d probably do the same thing.

Speaking of wives… I bet Becky would be a beautiful bride…

I shake my head. I gotta stay focused.

Normally it’s Lissa who is all scatterbrained, and here I am on a quest to set people free and I can’t even focus on what I am doing. What is wrong with me?

I blame it on Lissa! 18 years of hanging out with my twin will do that to me.

I sigh as I stare at the “Todd’s” as she called them. I really am wondering if they called to her or something, because that is the most random coincidence I’ve ever heard of… Or my sister is just crazy and likes to talk to toadstools… Yeah, that might be it!

“So, how do we find this warden?” I finally asked.

Nate looked over at me and smiled. “You ready to put your tracking skills to use?”

For the last couple weeks Nate has been teaching me survival and fighting skills. He has worked with me on my magic and I’ve gotten way better. It’s freakin’ awesome! No wonder Jack wanted this power. And I’m not even as powerful as Melissa, so that’s saying a lot!

“You bet!” I shouted enthusiastically… only this time it was real.

It’s time to get down to business, and I’m ready to rock and roll.

We check around the mountain cave for any sign of life.

“Over there!” I pointed out.

It was a small trail of footprints leading off into what looked like a deer trail, but who’s to say they weren’t following the deer? It could happen.

“Good eye!” Nate complimented me.

It made me feel good that he acknowledged my efforts. It also makes me feel good that I have a good relationship with my sister’s new hubby…

I know, it’s weird to think about!

If you woulda asked me 2 months ago if my sister would have a boyfriend anytime soon, I probably would’ve died laughing!

She is beautiful, don’t get me wrong! But she is a handful. To be honest, I didn’t think any man could handle her, so it’s a miracle that Nate showed up and was totally up for the job!

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We watched as we traveled down the path. There were more footprints, broken twigs, trampled leaves and finally we came to a small cottage just outside a small mountain lake.

I looked over at Nate at the same time he looked at me and made his cool lightning sword thing. He still hasn’t taught me how to do that, but man, I can’t wait!

Suddenly the door slammed open and out stepped…

“Oh, no!” I whined.

“I knew you couldn’t stay away from me!” snickered the psycho barbie doll. “Did you miss me, baby?”

“Jen!” growled Nate.

At least now he has his act together.

She just giggled like a cheerleader on a sugar high.

“Nate! You totally disappointed us! You know Melissa was made for Ben! Not to mention what is left of Jack!” she smiled.

“You won’t have to worry about being disappointed for much longer, because I’m sending you back to hell with him!” Nate grumbled.

Clearly, he didn’t like the mention of Ben or Jack at this point.

“Even if you get through me, you still have to face Brittany, Tom, Shelly, Loren, Greg and Matt. You up for the challenge?” she giggled again.

Man is this chick shallow. It’s like she doesn't have a clue what is gonna happen to her. But I guess if I was gonna die, I don’t think I’d wanna know either.

Nate laughed.

“You could always make it easier on yourself and just have a quick death. Just hand over the key,” he ground out.

She cocked her head to the side as if thinking about his offer. Then shook her head no.

Suddenly she did a front flip, cartwheel and a backflip landing right in front of us while bringing her hand forward, creating a sword out of shadows.

I gotta admit, that was awesome. What did I expect from someone who works for a demon?

I brought my hand forward and conjured a ball of fire and threw it right at her plastic smile.

She deflected my fire ball with her sword and charged right at me. But little did she know, this was what I wanted, because as soon as her focus was on me, Nate took his sword and plunged it into her back.

I watched in disgust as she convulsed on the ground.

“You’ll never win,” she whispered as she took her last gasping breath.

Black ooze poured out of her mouth and nose.

Yuck!

Nate pulled back his sword and brought the power back into him as it disappeared. Then he leaned over and pulled something from her neck.

He showed me a key that was silver and had a crescent moon shape at the top.

“You ready, my Prince?” Nate asked.

We didn’t have any time to lose!

We jogged back to the cave. He handed me the key and I leaned over, sticking my hands right into the “Todds” and felt around for the keyhole. It wasn’t hard to miss. I turned the key, and with a click, there was a sound of breaking glass.

I looked around and saw lights sparkling in the cave, then a rush of running feet.

Nate and I just stood to the side as we watched hundreds of shifters exit their prison. Many of them changed into panthers, wolves, cougars, foxes, and tigers. I even saw some rabbits and ravens! It was incredible.

They were all free.

A man came up to Nate and I, along with what I’m guessing were his daughters.

The man held out his hand to Nate.

“Nathaniel, thank you so much for rescuing us!” the man said.

Nate shook his hand.

“Ethan, this is Alpha Reid. King of the werewolves. Alpha, this is Prince Ethan, son of King Glen and Queen Brooke,” Nate introduced us.

Alpha Reid shook my hand too, and smiled. “I am delighted to make your acquaintance!”

“Nice to meet you, Alpha!” I returned.

Suddenly we were surrounded by giggling girls trying to get their claws in us. Not again...

Nate holds out his hands and backs up.

Alpha Reid looks at his tattoo and smiles.

“Congratulations on finding your mate, Nathaniel,” Alpha Reid chuckled. “Ladies, he is spoke for.”

Some of the girls pout at hearing the news, but then they turn their hungry gazes on me! Crap! How do I always get myself in situations like this?

“Sorry girls, but I’m taken! I will never cheat on Becky, and if I ever did, my sister will literally KILL ME! So, sorry not sorry. However I see quite a few males out here looking to celebrate their freedom with you,” I suggested.

Shrieks cry through the air and they were off after their prey.

And thank goodness it wasn’t me!

Alpha Reid gives me a grin and a wink. “You two are welcome to stay and celebrate with us,” he offered.

“Sorry Alpha, but we have more domes to take down, and then I really need to return to my mate. She hasn’t been feeling well, and it’s killing me to be away from her,” Nate admits.

“I completely understand!” he nodded. “Have a safe journey my friends and good luck!”

Then Nate and I hightail it outta there.

Time to go rescue more lost souls and hopefully return to the girls we left behind.

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