Chapter 264 – The House of Mirrors

Chapter 264 – The House of Mirrors

Steel-blue walls and windows bordered in black made the House of Mirrors stand out from its neighbors. Walking closer, dense patterns of runes swirled and faded to dissuade snoopers. Kai wasn’t sure he’d be able to crack them without seeing their physical anchor.

“I always wanted to visit a place founded by one of the Three Sisters,” Rain mused.

The siren had gotten his land legs and regained his sunny glow. Wearing an embroidered cobalt coat with silver lapels, a silk shirt and cream breeches, he’d received many looks from passersby; a couple girls even came forward to ask his name.

He’d turn heads in a burlap sack. Guess a siren just can’t help it.

In their stroll from the shop of Madame Le Garde, it became obvious how the new outfit changed locals’ perception of them from mendicant to rich tourist. The guards greeted them and stepped aside to let them pass. Kai wasn’t sure how they would contact Valela and was too embarrassed to ask since even fish boy seemed to know.

There hadn’t been time to gather information between catching up with his family and setting up his new identity. It wouldn’t have been a problem if they had arrived in Arphusa as planned. Matthew didn’t know anything either, so he could learn everything while keeping his cover.

Things never go as planned.

“Looks like it’s still open.” Flynn walked up the onyx steps of the building. He had opted to wear black and grey to slip into Shadow, though the fit of the fine fabric still distinguished him.

A grizzled doorman in a blue uniform let them inside with a slight bow of the head.

Hmm… Madame Le Garde was right. Tailoring does make a difference…

Their steps echoed into a large hall. A crystal chandelier lit the interior, keeping the same color pattern as the outside facade. Strangely, there were no mirrors that Kai could see. On his right, sets of leather armchairs and sofas formed a cozy lounge where a young couple and an old man sat reading a book.

“Good evening, sirs.” A young woman with raven hair and blue eyes stood behind a black marble counter. She wore a polite smile, although her gaze faltered on Rain. “Welcome to Varsea’s House of Mirrors. How may I assist you?”

Flynn rested his hand on the desk. “Hi, we need to contact a friend in Raelion—Valela Hightide. She should have set an open link for Flynn Soveili,” he said without a hint of hesitation.

“One moment. Let me check our archive.” The receptionist sent her mana into an onyx slab behind the counter. A myriad of filaments and runes flared to life, forming strings of white words.

The angle of the slab made it hard to read. Kai realized he was leaning over when the marble pushed against his sternum. He hurriedly stepped back. The last time he had seen such intricate design was in Virya’s puzzle box. Unfortunately, he wasn’t in the archipelago anymore. He couldn’t use Mana Observer and hope to go unpunished; the clerk was clearly trained in mana skills.

Spirits, she’s fully into Yellow.

“Here, Valela Hightide.” The woman nodded. “I see your contact has paid to be alerted for any incoming communication. Do you wish to leave a message, set a date, or wait to be contacted?”

Flynn glanced at Kai to confirm before speaking. “We can wait. When does this establishment close?”

The receptionist looked amused. “The House of Mirrors is always awake to connect our clients across the continent. Do you wish to rent a waiting room or stay here in the lounge?”

“Uhm. Those armchairs look quite comfortable. Thank you.”

“Of course. Please make yourself at ease. You’ll be informed as soon as your recipient is available. We also offer different kinds of refreshments. Our staff is always available to make your stay as comfortable as possible.”

After another round of pleasantries, they sat around a coffee table engraved with a privacy ward. Kai gladly slumped into an armchair and noticed a small service bell beside the rune array.

They must charge a pretty chip.

“Are you very close with this girl?” Rain leafed through the pamphlet of overpriced refreshments.

Flynn chuckled. “Why don’t you ask Mat?”

“Huh?” Kai straightened up to look at him. Is this about how much we should reveal? “Valela’s a friend who helped me with some stuff at home. We were planning to meet her before the Intrepid sank. She offered to help us settle here.”

“I see. She sounds like a great person.” The siren exchanged a look with Flynn.

What’s this about?

Too tired to play their game, Kai decided to change the subject and dig for new information. “Do sirens also have a House of Mirrors?”

Do you really have underwater cities at the bottom of the ocean? Or do they float on the surface?

“They once opened a branch in Arelia, but they shut it down before I was born,” Rain said. “The mana currents within the sea interfere with most of their mirror magic. But the other two Sisters have a presence.”

The siren must have noticed their blank stare because he continued, “The Three Sisters? They’re some of the most famous archmagi to have ever lived. Or still living if you listen to some.”

Stolen from Royal Road, this story should be reported if encountered on Amazon.

“I think I heard someone mention them…” Flynn didn’t sound entirely confident. “One of them founded the House of Enlightenment, right? We went there when I discarded my first profession.”

I should have guessed from the overpriced refreshments. The name sounded a little familiar…

Rain sat with one knee up. “That House was founded by the oldest sister. They’re quite mysterious figures. They’ve each invented a new school of magic and opened successful businesses across the tamed lands and seas. Everyone knows about their legendary feuds.”

“The archipelago is quite isolated,” Kai said, wondering what other piece of common knowledge he lacked. “What did the last sister do?”

“The youngest opened the House of Echoes. It mainly deals with highly sensitive information.” The siren lowered his voice. “They’re said to have secrets that could transform the face of Elydes. Mother says it’s the most successful House. But they’re hated by certain kingdoms and their establishments tend to be more discreet.”

Do they sell dirt on the elites?

The last thing Kai needed was to have a bunch of professional snoopers after him.

Rain rang the service bell to summon a server. To his credit, the man only blinked once when the siren took out an orange chromium. “I’ll pick this citrus salad, the velvet shrimps, and the forest tarts. Oh, and one of each of these.” He quickly pointed to most of the items on the pamphlet. “Do you guys want anything?”

Flynn threw a glance at the prices before curtly shaking his head.

“No, thank you.” Kai followed suit, his old frugal self was appalled at the expense.