Fake Daphne swings Excalibur in a graceful arc, proving once again she is not our maiden. “It’s best if it comes with me.”
“I agree with Gwyneth,” I interject while pointing at the dining table. “Leave it there. No one will touch it.”
Fake Daphne huffs as she slides it onto the wooden surface and, with a glower at the rest of us, sweeps out of the room with Malachi hot on her heels. He winks at us before closing the door.
We wait for a tempo, then two. A collective sigh sounds in the room as we gather around the table and the evidence of fake Daphne with the untouched sausage.
“That’s not Calamity,” Hart declares.
Theo raises a brow. “How do you know?”
“She kissed me.”
“She’s done far more than kiss you,” Theo counters.
“I do not need to hear this,” Gwyneth mutters.
Hart shakes his head. “It’s not what she’s done or not done with me that gives her away. It’s in the act itself.”
“Explain,” I demand. I am one hundred percent certain he’s correct, but I like to gather evidence, and it’s better if it comes from different sources, independent of each other’s influence.
“That kiss was icy and laced with intent. Daphne’s kisses are hot and needy, and oh so fucking delicious.”
“Let’s not forget the fact she pranced around the room with a sharp object without killing or maiming anyone,” Theo says.
“Also, she’s never bested me in any academic tests,” Gwyneth adds.
“We figured as much,” Theo answers.
The genie poofs into the middle of the room and glances around.
“She’s not here,” I tell him.
“I was double-checking before I tell you all something terrifying,” he whispers.
“Go ahead,” Gwyneth says.
He folds his muscular arms over his chest. “That imposter is not Daphne.”
I hate to burst his bubble when he’s clearly excited to be the first to tell us.
“What gave it away?” Theo asks.
The genie deflates as he realizes we are neither shocked nor surprised. “Well, for one, she can’t command my wishes. I have no pull to that being. In fact, my mistress is still in there.” He points at the mirror Daphne went through. It’s remained inert so far, but I’m hoping the mirror man will return soon to explain what is happening.
“I have a thought,” Gwyneth says as she grabs the book detailing the Lady of the Lake’s legend and how it ties into us
“Are you going to share with the group?” Hart snaps. Good thing his harsh demeanor doesn’t scare or offend her. The only girl I’ve seen him soften for is Daphne.
Gwyneth flicks through the pages, the scowl on her face deepening. Theo’s eyes meet mine and I shake my head. She’s on a roll, and it’s best to let her get on with it.
“Here,” she declares as she swivels the book toward me. “I don’t think whatever is pretending to be Daphne is aware of the consequences of the legend. Perhaps we fool her into giving one of you guys the sword. Then she dies, and it solves all our problems in a neat bow.”
“And your sister?” I ask. “If her body is deceased, will she be forever trapped inside the Land of Reflection? She was breathing when she left her physical self here.” I know, because I checked.
Gwyneth pinches the bridge of her nose. “What if we bring her back after she dies?”
Hamish and Eugene dart out from beneath the table, scaring the broom into action. They cluck their disagreement and dart up onto the sofa, flapping their useless yet pretty feathered wings while snuggling beside Hart.
