Free Reflection Pond by Kacey Vanderkarr Page A

stumbled to catch her balance. The glowing orbs, which were dim when she first entered, brightened as though sensing her presence. The perfect expanse of starry night sky spread overhead, dwarfing Callie with its vastness. Through the archway behind her, she could see the rolling hills of Eirensae bathed in sunlight . Before her, dim, vine clogged passageways branched off in every direction. One of them would lead her to the reflection pond, but much like the cottages, Callie had no idea which.
    She took the middle opening at random. The warm passage was only a couple of feet taller than her. Callie trailed her fingers over vines and flowers as she walked. The glowing orbs lit the path, brightening as she came closer.
    Several minutes passed and the air grew cool. The space had shrunk and the dangling plants brushed Callie’s cheeks and shoulders. Finally, she came to the end. The tunnel opened into a small room. Orbs ringed the floor, casting the walls in blue. At the heart, resting on a white pedestal, was a golden cauldron. The object was no larger than Callie’s head and had tiny feet that ended in brilliant green gemstones. Soft light emitted from the top and danced on the ceiling. Callie was drawn to it like a moth to flame.
    The doorway was just wide enough for one person to pass through. She stepped forward only to have her face bounce off of an invisible wall. Callie pressed her hands there like a mime. There was no glass, only air. She followed the obscure barrier all the way to the ground and then above her head.
    “What the hell,” she murmured.
    “Callie?”
    She whirled to find Ash behind her, smiling sheepishly. “You scared the crap out of me,” she said, pressing a hand to her heart.
    Ash shoved his hands into the pockets of his jeans and shrugged. His hair was darker than usual, damp. “Sorry.”
    “What is that thing?” Callie jabbed a thumb toward the room.
    Ash’s eyes slid past her. “The cauldron of Dagda.”
    “The what?”
    “It was a gift to our people. It connects all of us, combines our energy. It’s where we store all our magic.” He reached out a hand. “Never mind that.” His eyes met Callie’s and then lowered to his offered palm, an invitation.
    She hesitated before setting her fingers in his.
    “Come on, Sapphire was worried when you didn’t return from the palace.”
    “I didn’t know how to get back.” They all seemed to think she held some repressed knowledge of this place or the ability to magically disappear. The thought gave her pause. Maybe she did have that ability.
    “I’m sorry—I assumed someone would show you the way.” Ash slowed to walk beside her as the passageway widened. He searched her face. “I’m guessing you have tons of questions.”
    “This power I have,” she said, feeling ridiculous, “what can I do with it?” She conveniently didn’t mention the situation with Elm.
    “Hmm,” he said, holding up their intertwined hands. “You’ll figure that out in training. I can tell you that you’re very strong—maybe the strongest here.”
    Callie glanced at him, surprised, but Ash wasn’t looking at her. She’d never been particularly strong at anything. She hadn’t even been able to bench press the bar in gym. The image of Elm, hands pressed over his bleeding ears, flashed through her mind. She hadn’t done that…had she?
    They reached the main room. Ash caught and lifted both of Callie’s hands, leading her to the flowers hanging from the walls. The spicy scent increased to intoxicating. “We all have a connection to all living things, even though our powers are different.”
    “You know that sounds crazy, right? I’ve never done a single magical thing in my life,” Callie said, echoing her earlier thoughts. All she could think of was Rowan’s hands as he healed the scrapes and the pleasant numbness that chased away the pain.
    Ash plucked a huge purple bud from its stem. The sealed bloom was larger than Callie’s hands. He set