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“Lapzur?” I asked. “I’ve never heard of the place.”
“Most haven’t. It is a realm steeped in darkness and overrun by ghosts and demons. Not even the mirror can see what unfolds there.”
“Then how will I find it?”
“That I cannot help you with.” Elang picked up his turtle’s reins, preparing to descend into the sea.
“Wait,” I called. “You promised his name.”
Elang’s back was to me, but he halted. After a long pause, he replied, “His name is Khramelan.”
Khramelan. My satchel shuddered against my hip, the pearl inside growing suddenly warm.
“Do not discount the mirror’s value,” said Elang, his back still to me. “It will not bring you to the Wraith, but it still holds great power.”
“Thank you.”
For once, he didn’t dismiss my gratitude. He stepped onto his turtle, flicking Kiki off its shell. He was about to dive into the sea when I blurted one last question:
“Why turtles?”
To my surprise, Elang actually replied. “They are solitary creatures, though they live in large groups. I find I have more in common with them than with humans—or dragons.”
“Their shells are hard,” I mused, “and their hearts are soft.”
That earned me a glower. “I have no heart.”
“You aren’t without heart. You wouldn’t have helped me if that were the case.”
“I helped you to get my mirror,” Elang said gruffly. His mismatched eyes narrowed. “Only by the miracle of the gods did you manage to succeed.”
“So I did,” I said. “I hope it shows you what you need to see. Have faith, Lord Elang. Your pearl is out there somewhere. You’ll find it.”
“I will,” he assured me, “and I will celebrate the day I never have to set foot in your waste-ridden land again in search of it.”
I stifled the urge to roll my eyes. Coming from the half dragon, this was as good a farewell as I would get. “That waste-ridden land is my home.”
Elang pulled his turtle’s reins. “You’d do well to remember this: your heart is your home. Until you understand that, you belong nowhere.”
And before I could say another word, he launched into the sea.
I watched until the ripples of Elang’s departure had vanished and the water went as still as before. Your heart is your home. I let the words sink into my memory. Until you understand that, you belong nowhere.
I turned to Seryu. “Your cousin isn’t so bad, for not having a heart. It makes me hopeful about the Wraith.”
“Then you’re deluded, Shiori’anma. The Wraith’s half demon. He’s a—”
“An abomination?” My shoulders fell. “They used to say that about Raikama too. All her life, she was a monster. First to the human world, which thought her a snake, then to herself, when she was cursed to wear her sister’s face.”
I swallowed, certain that there were plenty of people back home who thought me a monster now.
A cloud drifted over the sun, casting a long shadow upon the sea. I said, “Whatever the Wraith is—dragon or demon or monster—he deserves his pearl back. Same as Elang.” I swallowed again. “Will you help me find him, Seryu?”
Seryu said nothing. His face was completely inscrutable, which was unusual for my ever-expressive friend. When he caught me staring, he turned away abruptly.
“Get on my back,” he said curtly. “Let’s get you to shore before the fishermen see us. All this sun is starting to hurt my eyes.”
Seryu dove, but not before I glanced at the sky, just to confirm.
