The room lit up with a blue light. It was the mirror I had watched Meg and
Miles in.
“Is this the way?” I rushed towards the looking glass.
Daisy nodded and gave me a sad smile.
The mirror crackled as if warning me to turn around.
I have to save Meg, I told myself. Not wasting another minute, I walked through the object.
Instant regret filled me as my skin felt electrified. Each second in the blue aura meant excruciating pain. With a final push, I was through the barrier. A
final bolt of energy rushed through me, and I collapsed to the ground.
The blue mirror continued to zap me. I rolled away from it and tucked into the
fetal position. Rocking the waves of energy away, I held myself. Slowly, the light faded, and I watched as my entrance wholly dissolved. It was now just a stone wall.
Unable to stand, I crawled to the center of the small, circular room and sat myself up. I closed my eyes. What have you done, Mara?
When I opened my eyes, a second mirror appeared. I crawled towards the
silver light. When I reached it, I tried to go through it, but it was just a mirror. I rested my cheek on the cold glass.
I didn't know how much time had passed before I felt sturdy enough to stand
again. At first, I stumbled, but soon, my legs felt strong. Circling the room, I pushed on every inch of the wall and floor, searching for an exit. To my dismay,
there was no way out.
Impenetrable stone surrounded me. The ceiling was, at least, forty feet above
me and appeared to be the same hard rock. Feeling defeated, I sat down in the
middle of the floor and began to cry.
“I never asked for this gift. Nothing good has come from it. My mother is obsessed with power and convinced my father to fake his death. My
grandmother has been stuck raising their children. Families are hiding their gift
and running away to keep themselves safe. Others are kidnapping children,
trying to steal more magic. What good has this gift been to my family?” I demanded.
“Mara, pull yourself together,” a voice snapped at me.
I turned, ready to fight when I caught the image of Sarah Sands in the mirror.
I gasped. "You're dead."
Sarah glared at me.
I had never heard her use a stern tone, let alone, wear such a look of
disapproval. Your future mother-in-law will think you’re crazy if you don't pull
yourself together, I scolded myself. Embarrassed, I quickly regained my composure.
“If you are done with your tantrum, Mara, we can talk.”
I nodded.
Sarah stepped through the looking glass and took my hand. In an unexpected
move, she pulled me into her arms and held me close.
I smiled. Her familiar scent – citrus and frosting – brought me back to her kitchen where she'd always made fresh orange juice and cinnamon rolls for us.
Abruptly, she released me and returned to the mirror, bringing back from my thoughts.
"I'm sorry. Come back," I cried out.
“I can't be in that world for very long. Are you calm now?” Sarah asked.
I knew this sweet, kind voice.
