Page 114 of Frost Like Night
AS THE DOORappears in the maze wall, I peer through it and search the exterior for another of those plates that will help me on the test. But there’s only that door, white light streaming around me.
Then I remember what the final test will be.
Purification of the heart.
Even though they helped me on the other two tests, the Order would have wanted only those who are truly pure of heart to pass the labyrinth.
It’s entirely possible they meant for everyone to face this test without help.
But help won’t be necessary. I’m ready for this; I will pass whatever test gets thrown at me.
I clear my mind and enter the room.
And gape at who is inside.
Hannah.
I stand there for what feels like lifetimes before Sir’s maze dumps him through a door on my right. He rushes forward, spots her, and stops as if the floor has grabbed onto his feet.
Seeing Sir and Hannah staring at each other jolts an image through my mind of Rares and Oana. How different they were from these two people before me. And though it has never been real, I can’t help but see two versions of a life: Sir and Hannah, my parents; Rares and Oana, my parents. One pair always harsh and unloving; the other kind and gentle and everything I wanted.
A door opens on my left and Mather enters, weapons in hand and eyes darting over each of us as he steps closer to me.
Good—at least one of us is capable of movement.
“You’ve reached the end of the labyrinth. You’ve come so far,” Hannah finally speaks, her eyes widening in encouragement.
“How are you here?” I manage.
I haven’t talked to her since before I left on the tour of the world, before I thought the magic barrier in the chasm entrance had broken my connection to her—before I found out I was keeping her away on my own, because I didn’t need her anymore.
And I had been fine not seeing her. I wasfinewhen she was gone.
Seeing her now, smiling at me as if we’re just an innocentmother and daughter, as if I’m not moments away from dying for the mistakes she made, lights frustration that burns out to every limb. Why would she be here?
Purification of the heart.
I press a hand to my chest.
This is a test of heart. Anyone who harbors hatred, or anger, would be deemed unworthy.
But I thought I’d made my peace with Hannah at Rares and Oana’s home. I let go of my anger at her and at Sir and realized that all the things I wanted from them were ill-placed expectations that could never be.
Sir lurches toward her, but his feet don’t move, just his shoulders jolting before he straightens.
He’s afraid.
Cold sweat washes down my body.
“I don’t think it’s really her,” I tell him.
Hannah smiles. “Why would you think that, sweetheart?”
My hands curl into loose fists. “Because I’ve been blocking the real Hannah for weeks now, and I haven’t stopped. You’re a test. You’re the magic playing tricks on us.”
Her smile widens. “I’ve been magic all along, haven’t I? Was I ever the real Hannah?”
I frown. “You—”
