Page 2 of Mirror of Vanity

Justice ignored him. “The queen is half-dragon, half-fae. She was my teammate, and she’s a formidable ally. Strong enough to take on even the likes of Maci.”

We didn’t have Lisa, but we could have a queen who could help us with Maci and her demons. I was definitely intrigued. “So, this Court of Blossoms is in Scotland?”

Justice rubbed his forehead, a hesitant expression crossing his face. “Not exactly. The Court of Blossoms is…complicated.”

Damon’s eyes narrowed. “What does that mean, ‘complicated’? It’s either in Scotland or it isn’t.”

Justice sighed, his gaze shifting between us. “The Court of Blossoms exists in a realm that straddles the line between our world and the Fae realm. It’s accessible from certain points in Scotland, but it’s not a physical place you can walk into.”

I raised an eyebrow, intrigued by the mystery surrounding the Court. “So, how do we reach it? Is there some kind of portal or magical gateway?”

A hint of a smile played at the corner of Justice’s lips. “Something like that, but it’s not a journey to take lightly. The path to the Court of Blossoms is guarded by ancient magic and can be treacherous for those who are unprepared.”

Damon kicked back with a thoughtful look. “If it means teaming up with someone as badass as the Queen, it might be a risk worth taking… Well, I’ll be damned,” he mumbled as he slowly stood.

Justice and I followed his gaze. Lisa hurried toward us, fear and determination flickering in her eyes. Her blonde hair was pulled into a ponytail, and she wore a loose top and a pair of jeans, but her bloodshot green eyes caught my breath in my throat.

Damon caught her arms, his usual lightness a distant memory. “What are you doing here?” he demanded tightly.

Tears welled in her eyes. “It’s… Aurora and Morgan.” Her voice cracked, whispering each name with love and fear. Her bond with her animals—Aurora, her mystical phoenix, and Morgan, her loyal German shepherd—was evident in the desperation of her trembling body.

Damon’s posture shifted, the immediate concern etching deeper lines into his already weary face. “All right, talk to us, Lisa. What happened to them?” His low voice carried command and unexpected gentleness as his protective nature bubbled to the surface.

Her lower lip trembled. “I don’t know. I woke up this morning, and they were both gone.”

Justice furrowed his brow. “I thought there was a protective barrier around the graveyard. Evil couldn’t break it.”

She nodded. “There is a barrier. It’s supposed to be impenetrable to evil forces. I can’t make sense of it. Unless Maci or one of her demons figured out a way to lure them beyond its protection with a spell.”

Justice rubbed the back of his neck. “If that’s true, it’s only a matter of time before Maci can use the power of the phoenix to gain control over life and death.”

“I don’t understand, Lisa,” I remarked. “Why are you here?”

She wiped her tears away. “After I searched for them in the woods and couldn’t find them, I went to see Elijah.”

Elijah Starweather was a powerful psychic in Mystic Vale. He really was the genuine article and not a phony.

Damon scrubbed a hand down his face. “What did the great magician say?”

She drew a quivering breath. “He had a vision that said Maci and the demons took them to Scotland. For some reason, they need Morgan, too, but he couldn’t see why. He gave me a warning. Maci needs to do a draining spell under the full moon at a place called Lohraith Cairn.”

Justice gave her a hard stare. “Are you sure about that? He definitely said Lohraith Cairn?”

Something in his grave voice curled my stomach into a tight knot.

“Yes, why?” She folded her arms as if to ward off a sudden chill.

Justice sighed. “Because that place is a nexus of dark magic. Both people and supernaturals have vanished there, swallowed by its shadows. It’s nestled in the Highlands, reachable only by a treacherous path. Legend has it the druids once wielded their ancient magics there.”

Lisa blurted, “I don’t care. I won’t let anything happen to Aurora and Morgan. They’re my family.”

Tears spilled down her cheeks as if she’d turned on a sprinkler.

I gripped her arm with reassuring firmness. “I promise we won’t let anything happen to them.”

Lisa sniffed. “Thank you.” She sought refuge in Damon’s embrace, burying herself in his shirt as he wrapped his arms around her.

Damon and Justice exchanged a glance before they sent me a disapproving look, a silent warning not to make promises I might not be able to keep.

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