In the glass, someone watched us from the shadows.
Prager. Red gown, elaborate hair, too much jewelry. She smiled and pointed directly at me. The gesture felt like a promise. Or a threat.
I spun toward the window, blade drawn, power surging. Empty space. But when I glanced back at the mirror, she'd moved closer.
Whirling around again, I found no one other than Farris snapping at the air where Prager should be, and my wildfire stooped and elbow-deep as she pawed through the lowest drawer of an ornately carved bureau.
I tilted the mirror back into the position it had hung in when we came in.
The room behind me reappeared as it was. Reyla on her knees, holding up a tunic. Farris peering this way and that, his ears back. And me, visible now in the glass. Lord Rutherford’s face, that his, his jaw tight, his expression dark and uncertain.
Prager's in the mirror,I told her, my mental voice tight.Watching us.
Sucking in a breath, she scanned the room. Her posture didn’t relax, but she released her grip on the hilt of her dagger.I don’t see her.
You will in the mirror.
Some sort of spell?
Yes.
The talisman must be here, then.She’s trying to scare us away.
Why not appear and kill us?
She propped her hand on her hip.Prager enjoys the game as much as the kill.
So do I except I play to win.
Coming over to stand beside me, she studied her reflection. When I looked, Lady Bliss stood there instead of my precious mate.If it’s a spell, let’s leave her trapped there.
The thought of Prager getting anywhere near my wife made my magic surge with violent intent. I couldn’t stab a mirror.
Turning to face me, she stroked my arm.Don’t let her spook you.
I’m not spooked.Not too much.
I know you.
More than anyone.
She wrapped her arms around me, holding me. I nudged my chin against the top of her head, grateful to have this woman in my life.
When we pulled apart, she moved on to search some more. Daring Prager, I straightened the mirror again.
She stood directly behind me with blades in her hands. Before I could spin or draw in power to send out, she stabbed, her knives hitting me in the neck, the ribs, and the lower abdomen.
Gasping, I turned, finding her gone. I pawed at my body but found no wounds.
With a snarl, I knocked the mirror off the wall. It shattered when it hit the floor, drawing Reyla’s attention.
“Are you alright?” she hissed, rushing over to me.
“I’m fine,” I bit out. One sweep of my hand, and the mirror fragments were swept underneath the bed. Someone would find them one day, but I doubted anyone would connect the broken mirror with us.
Reyla nodded slowly, her concerned gaze on my face, before she got back to her search.
I shifted my focus to the floor, going around, testing each board with my weight eased onto my foot. Then using magic to try to lift them, one after another.
