Page 60 of The Last De Loughrey Dynasty

Walking back to my bed, I slipped under the comforter and buried my face in my pillow. This could wait until tomorrow. Maybe I’d just let it be and wait for death to knock on my door.

I was so afraid of dying, but what did I have left in life?

No tears came as I stared out at the moon through my window.

Emptiness took over, and I wondered if, when I died, I’d join the moon and the stars.

Would I grieve my own death if I had no life worth living?

There was no place for me beyond the veil.

If I were to leave, then I would be keen to join the stars.

CHAPTER TWENTY-FIVE

DOROTHEE

Mirrors surrounded me everywhere, and wherever I looked, my reflection shone back at me. I wore a white nightgown with long sleeves and wondered when I had changed into such clothes. I wasn’t even sure I owned a nightgown.

Stepping closer to the full-length mirror in front of me, I studied my tired reflection. My long hair was frizzy and curled at the ends, which was odd. I’d always had pin-straight hair, and while it was thick, it took hours to get any texture in it.

I glanced down at myself to check for my straight ends before looking up again—only to realise that the girl in front of me wasn’t my reflection.

“You’re Dottie, right?”

She was my age, and it was almost terrifying to look at her. We were identical, except for a few subtle differences.

I was a carbon copy of my great-aunt.

She smiled softly at me. “Mairead was right. You do look exactly like me, just mirrored,” she said, her voice echoing surreally through the mirrored room. I tried to focus on her. I knew she had to be a spirit. I was searching forproof, but before I could find my answer, she noticed how intently I was staring and spoke again.

“I didn’t get to choose whether I wanted to stay beyond the veil. I’m no spirit—it’s just a dream.”

“What do you mean by that? What happened to you?”

Dottie shifted, suddenly appearing in the mirror to my left. “My soul was taken from me, but I can’t tell you how. He made sure I couldn’t. But I’m no fool. I took my own precautions in secret before it was too late.”

I spun around as she shifted into the mirror behind me, her expression tinged with sadness. “I didn’t understand what was happening until it was too late. The De Loughrey’s have been made by the stars for one reason only, and since I couldn’t fulfil our birthright, it’s yours now.”

My heart was racing in my chest as she moved from mirror to mirror, making me turn in circles until I caught her again. “I don’t know what you’re talking about. Please explain it to me,” I pleaded, but Dottie shook her head, placing her hand on the mirror.

“You have to find the Book of Shadows and fight for what’s right. Keep the balance, and don’t fall for the moon’s temptations,” Dottie spoke frantically, as though time was slipping away. “The truth will reveal itself like a puzzle, but always remember that I’m a part of you, and you’re a part of me. We’ll meet again, sooner rather than later, I fear.”

Her reflection turned translucent, and panic crept up my spine. “Don’t leave me, Dottie, please!” I cried, spinning like a maniac, searching for her in the mirrors.

“Trust the Fox. She’s the keeper of what you’re searching for,” her ethereal voice whispered before the mirrors dissolved into mist.

I woke up with a gasp,clutching my chest where my heart thundered wildly. Sweat clung to my skin, and I threw off the blanket, sitting up to glance at the digital clock on my nightstand. It was half-past five in the morning. After the phone call with my grandmother, I must have fallen asleep still wearing my clothes from dinner.

I glanced over at my roommate’s bed and saw she wasn’t hosting Nathaniel’s company tonight. Maisie was soundly asleep, and I felt guilty the moment I decided to wake her.

“Maisie, please wake up,” I whispered, shaking her gently by the shoulder. She stirred, groaning softly.

A full day lay ahead of me, but after Dottie appeared in my dream, I couldn’t wait until evening to visit the chapel and seek answers from Gwyneth. I needed answers now.

Maisie sat up in bed, her blonde hair escaping the tiny French braids she’d worn for dinner. She squinted against the light as I switched on her bedside lamp. “Doe, what’s going on? Are you all right?”

I moved back to my bed, pulling on my shoes and tying the laces as I replied, “it’s a long story. I’ll explain on the way, but we need to hurry before someone catches us, or we’re doomed.” Finished with my laces, I stood and grabbed my leather jacket, that I had tossed over my chair after returning from the graveyard with Archer.

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