Page 25 of Mirror of Vanity

My hand slipped down my leather jacket to ensure my blade was still intact. I had to be ready for anything. Justice and Damon weren’t here to protect me, and I had to draw on every ounce of training my dad had taught me. It might be the difference between survival and death.

“This way,” Garrick directed me.

The corridor opened into a grand chamber, the heart of the castle. A massive chandelier of black iron and deep blue crystals hung overhead, casting a cold, underwater light over everything. The center of the room featured a long, narrow table made of a single slab of midnight marble, surrounded by high-backed chairs upholstered in dark velvet.

Guards stood at every doorway. They didn’t even blink as we walked by, like they were statues. It reminded me of the guards at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. No way could Justice get into this fortress.

A throne loomed at the far end of the chamber, more a work of menacing art than a seat. Guards stood on either side of it, eyeing me curiously. I held my head high, refusing to be afraid, though my insides quivered.

The throne featured intertwined blackthorn branches with deep red velvet cushions that seemed almost black in the dim light. This must have been where Garrick presided over his court. My skin prickled with the realization of the power and danger emanating from every stone and shadow of this place.

Above the throne, a grand fresco dominated the ceiling, depicting the Unseelie Realm in all its dark glory. The night sky alive with strange constellations, forests that moved with hidden life, and the sea roiling with mythical beasts. The art was beautiful and terrifying, a testament to the realm’s savage elegance.

Garrick sat on his throne and smiled down at me. “Am I not the picture of a king?”

His question hung in the air, demanding an answer. I felt the weight of his gaze upon me, the expectation of submission or flattery. Yet I refused to be cowed so easily. I met his eyes with a steady gaze and chose my words carefully. “A king, perhaps, but not my king.”

Garrick’s smile faltered, replaced by a flash of irritation. He composed himself, his expression settling into amusement. “Brave words, little human. We shall see how long that defiance lasts within these walls.”

I held my ground as a shiver ran down my spine. I knew I was treading on thin ice, but I couldn’t afford to show weakness now. Not when my fate, and possibly Justice’s, hung in the balance.

I scowled. “Why are we here, Garrick? I thought you were taking me?—”

He put his finger to his lips as if to silence me.

My voice faded, and I didn’t finish my sentence. This only meant he didn’t trust his guards. Maybe the demons had tainted them, and they were full of themselves, ready to challenge Garrick for the throne.

He lowered his finger. “Guards, tell the cook to prepare food for me and my guest.”

I wanted to argue that I wouldn’t eat a single bite he put in front of me, but I clamped my jaw tight.

Garrick led me up some winding stairs and through a pair of towering double doors into a dining room that was as breathtaking as it was foreboding. A long, dark wood table dominated the space, its surface gleaming under the soft glow of candles held aloft in twisted iron chandeliers.

“Cook will have food prepared for us soon.” He headed to a large, ornate buffet table, where he grabbed two glasses and poured what looked like wine.

I ignored him and glanced around. The dining room dwarfed anything I had ever seen. High-backed chairs upholstered in deep burgundy velvet lined the table, their imposing forms carved with intricate motifs of thorns and wings. The scent of ancient wood and the outside mist tinged the cool air, suggesting the room was seldom used for casual gatherings.

Beyond the dining area, two grand double doors stood slightly ajar. I headed there, hoping I could locate Justice. They led to a sweeping balcony that overlooked the Unseelie lands. The view from the balcony was both mesmerizing and chilling.

The lands stretched out under a sky swirling with dark clouds, illuminated occasionally by the ghostly light of the moon. Below, the twisted forests and jagged terrain sprawled toward the horizon, shrouded in perpetual twilight. The balcony itself was lined with black marble balustrades, cold and smooth to the touch, providing a stark contrast to the wild and unruly beauty of the land it surveyed.

My shoulders sagged. If Justice was out there, I couldn’t see him from here. I didn’t have vampire or Unseelie eyes. I could be looking at him and never even know it.

Garrick came up behind me with the two glasses of red liquid. “Beautiful, isn’t it?”

Beautiful wasn’t the word I would use. Possibly terrifying, depressing, or soul-crushing.

He handed me the glass, his eyes glinting with curiosity and anticipation. “Wine?”

I stared at the glass, my heart pounding as I took in the deep crimson color that seemed to pulse with otherworldly energy. It looked almost like blood, and the thought of taking even a sip sent a shiver down my spine. “How do I know it’s not cursed?” I asked, my voice trembling slightly. “What if I drink it and become trapped here forever?”

Garrick’s eyes narrowed, and a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. “You make it sound like staying in my kingdom would be a fate worse than death.”

A lump formed in my throat, and the walls of the castle seemed to close in around me. The idea of being trapped in this dark, twisted realm, far away from everyone I loved, was suffocating.

“I’m human, Garrick,” I whispered. “This isn’t my world. I don’t belong here. I’m only here to try and save my world, the Court of Blossoms, and yours. That’s it.”

Garrick’s expression softened, and he almost looked vulnerable. “You’re not even giving my world a chance.” His tone bordered on a pout.

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