A Life Beyond the Mirror

Chapter 8

No dreams came and I couldn't help but feel the slightest bit of relief. The sound of tapping on my window woke me. I rub my eyes to clear my vision. Len.

"Okay, I'm up." I shout. I look at the alarm clock on my dresser. Seven thirty. Not too shabby. I think to myself as I pat myself o the shoulder. I had a shower, got dressed and headed downstairs with plenty of time to spare. Grandma was sat at the Kitchen table, Len on the work top, nibbling at seeds she left in a dish for him.

"I see you send your minions to wake me now." She laughed into her teacup.

"Len was growing concerned for your lateness. He didn't want it to become a regular thing." She smiled, placing a teacup in from of me and pouring the tea. "Now how was your sleep?" she said before turning and popping bread in the toaster.

"Uneventful. No dreams to report." Her gaze softened.

"I'm glad to hear. Now, this picture you showed me yesterday. May I see it again?" I took out the picture and handed it over, trying not to scrunch it. "As I had thought. This is the symbol of the Unseelie." She said, pointing to the symbol in the flames.

"You think the Unseelie Princess is behind the burning?" I ask and she nods once in response, not lifting her gaze from the picture.

"I fear so. We need more information. And you need to be able to protect yourself." I sipped my tea.

"Dad made me take all those kickboxing and self-defence classes back in Chester. I can take care of myself. Well, somewhat." She shook her head.

"If your dreams are correct, you might not be able to get out without a fight. A real fight. 'Somewhat' won't be good enough." She said, rising from her chair. "Come with me." I followed her to her bedroom, she opened up her wardrobe and parted the clothes, revealing a small hidden door. She unlatched the small hook and pushed the door open with a hard shove, uncovering a small alcove, filled with a range of weapons. A crossbow, a bow, so many arrows, a sword and a set of daggers.

"Grandma! What the hell?" my eyes bulging.

"These were my past time when we lived in the Seelie Realm." She said stroking one of the blades.

"I thought you said you were a healer?"

"I was, primarily, but I loved a good battle. As the royal healer, I was required to go to any battles and in my time, there were a few. To go to a battlefield and not know how to fight is beyond stupidity. I want you to learn. The classes your dad made you attend are good, if you're in that situation, but in this case, you will need this." She says handing me the sword, my arm dropping from the weight.

"I didn't realise you were such a bad ass!"

"I will make some calls. Your friend Rowan has been training to be in the Royal guard. Maybe you could ask him for a lesson this evening?"

"I'm going to the palace tonight. Finn has said he will get the dressmaker to make mine and Hali's dress for the ball." A grin spread across her face, her eyes sparkling with knowing as I spoke his name.

"Sounds lovely. Maybe you could get a lesson at the castle from the prince himself?" she smiled.

"Maybe. I don't think I have it in me to kill anyone. It's crazy." I pass her back her sword.

"Dear, it's about knowing how to protect yourself if you need to, not about killing people. The Unseelie are known for their ruthlessness. I don't want you to be unprepared. Sometimes, in our world, its kill or be killed." She said, taking my hand and squeezing it. "The Summer Ball is a grand event. I will be there also." Changing the subject as pulled a large silver gown out of her hidden room.