Page 113 of Gilded Wicked Mirrors
His head rose as they entered, but as per usual, he didn’t say much, and Constance waved with a bright smile. But Giselleeither didn’t notice or didn’t believe they required acknowledgment.
“I am returning to the Mirror of Midnight to ask her to restore my memories from the vampire attack.” Quinn’s words were met with three different versions of surprise.
Giselle dropped a wrench on her toe and mumbled, “Ouch,” Jevon rose from his seat silently, concern etched into his roguish features, and Constance just stared at her with large, terror-riddled eyes.
“But you hate mirrors,” Constance said, a wisp of air swallowing most of her words. “Are you sure you want to risk it again?”
“I have to,” Quinn said.
Constance nodded, but all the blood leeched from her face. “Alright.”
A couple of hours later, the group boarded a cable car leading to the Spirit Sector and the Mirror of Midnight. Everyone was there except Constance, who had to go to the Viridian for dress rehearsals.
As Quinn slid onto the bench, Jevon asked, “Quinny, can I talk to you for a moment.” Unease rippled in his eyes.
“Yes, of course,” Quinn said, sliding over and making room for him.
“You seem to be getting close.” The words were encouraging, but something grim lingered in his voice.
“You seem upset.”
“I . . .” He started and stopped as if not knowing what words to use. “I just don’t want to lose you like I lost my brother. He was so obsessed with finding answers that he lost track of the things that mattered.”
Quinn squeezed his hand, remembering their conversation at the Russet. “I am not going to be like your brother. I want to find the murderer.”
“But you’re already changing,” he said. “You’re doing things you never would’ve done before, like leaving home, whatever it is you’re doing with the prince, and standing up to your uncle.”
He had a point, but she didn’t necessarily think that those were bad changes. She didn’t feel any different. “Those things were always bound to happen at some point, but I promise, I won’t change that much, but I have to continue this through. The murderer is threatening you, and I need to keep you safe.”
He sighed and leaned back into the seat, his eyes on the city passing by. “I know, and I want to find them, too. I’m sorry, I worry about you.”
“I appreciate it, Jevon, but I promise it will be okay.” The words were not convincing, but if she said them out loud, maybe they could be true.
Twenty minutes later, they finally reached the Mirror of Midnight, where twilight lit up the sky in crimson watercolors.
A sea of ribbons whipped in the wind, and rose petals rained down the street. It was a treacherous time for the Day of Ribbons and Roses, the seventh day of the Blood Festival, because the city was on the edge of a storm. Yet the chaotic weather made the imagery more beautiful.
It was like a dance of color and remembrance, each bow representing a life lost not just in the Blood Rebellion but from any vampire attack.
Quinn even brought her own ribbon to tie to a streetlamp to represent all the lives lost in the Ashelle and most recent murders.
“Are you ready for this?” Giselle asked.
“No,” Quinn whispered. “But that doesn’t matter.”
She stepped up to the swirling surface of the mirror, but Emrys grabbed her hand and pulled her back. “Do you want us to come with you?” he asked as if sensing her fear. “This isn’t your rite. You don’t have to do it alone.”
She blinked, taken aback. She wouldn’t have to do it by herself? “Yes, I would like you to come.”
Wasting no time and not wanting to think about what she was about to do, Quinn moved into the liquid. It was as uncomfortable as the first time, like gelatin crawling up her flesh.
Gasping for air, Quinn entered a wonderland of living soap bubbles. The place was still composed of midnight dreams, but instead of being in the expanse of space like last time, she was in a black void, filled with bubbles holding galaxies and stars. And it rained golden stardust.
Emrys followed her, his usual ease painted on his face as he leaned against a bubble filled with stars. Giselle walked in the darkness with her mouth hanging open, but Jevon was nowhere.
Before Quinn could ask, Giselle said, “He didn’t want to come. He’s not very fond of—” Giselle nodded at the world around them.
One of the bubbles burst into pieces, sending more stardust flying, and Midnight stepped out with a saccharine smile coating her cheeks. Her pink hair glowed and danced on a phantom wind. “Hello, Quinnevere. It is good to see you again, and you brought me friends!” She clapped and jumped with joy, her words gilded with dubious intent.
