Page 8 of Mirror of Vanity

I glanced at Justice, noting the worry etched on his face. Damon placed a comforting hand on Lisa’s shoulder, his usually playful expression replaced by a sober one.

“I’m sure they’re all right.” My tone lacked conviction. Deep down, I knew the longer Aurora and Morgan were missing, the more dangerous the situation could become.

No one contradicted me. Obviously, they had the same thoughts I did. I turned my attention to Edinburgh, its cobblestone streets and ancient buildings unfolding like a page from a storybook I had only dared to imagine. The gothic spires of St. Giles’ Cathedral pierced the sky, while the imposing silhouette of Edinburgh Castle loomed over the city, a testament to its rich and sometimes bloody history.

The city’s historic beauty was a stark contrast to the turmoil churning within me. As much as I wanted to lose myself exploring Edinburgh’s winding alleys and hidden gems, I knew our mission had to take precedence. The fate of my father, of Aurora and Morgan, and possibly the entire world, hung in the balance.

I glanced at Justice, remembering his wistful expression when he spoke of Edinburgh’s history. I saw why he wanted to indulge in its stories and secrets rather than being dragged into another dreaded mission. Yet, like the rest of us, he knew there was no escaping the responsibility of stopping Maci and her demons.

“It’s beautiful, isn’t it?” Justice followed my gaze.

“I can see why you like it here.” My soft voice was filled with wonder. Edinburgh’s blend of beauty, history, and mystery was enchanting. Despite the shadow of our mission hanging over us, I couldn’t help but feel a connection to this place, a desire to explore its depths and perhaps, in its stories, find the strength we needed to face what lay ahead.

He glanced between my brother, Lisa, and I. “There’s something you should know. The rumors of Scotland’s magic are true. It’s not only majestic but there are portals that can take you to the most beautiful place you’ve ever seen or your worst nightmare. You must keep your wits about you here.”

As soon as he mentioned the possibility of magical portals, my skin prickled with anticipation and fear. The thought of entering a whole new world filled me with excitement but also left me feeling vulnerable and uncertain. What if I stepped into a portal that sent me to hell, where the Demons of Seven Deadly Sins dwelled?

Damon released a low whistle, his eyes taking on that glint they did whenever the talk turned to the things that lurked in the dark corners of the world. “Portals, huh? Scotland’s full of surprises. One minute, you’re enjoying a nice Scotch, and the next, you could be starring in your own personal horror movie. Great.”

“How do we know if we stumble across a portal?” Fear crept into my tone.

Justice thought about it for a minute. “When you come upon a portal, everything wavers like you’re drunk. The edges of your vision blur, then you spin around and land in another time, another place.”

Damon quirked an eyebrow, a smirk playing at the corners of his mouth despite the gravity of our discussion. “So, what you’re saying is, there aren’t exactly street signs pointing to these portals, huh? ‘Next stop: 14th century’ or ‘Beware, your worst nightmare lies ahead?’”

We arrived at McDuff Manor as the sun began to break through the morning fog, casting ethereal light upon the ancient stone building. The faded stone edifice was two stories tall, exuding an air of timeless grace and a whisper of history in its walls. Lush, well-tended shrubbery adorned the front of the manor, along with hanging flower pots, their blooms adding splashes of color against the stone. The flowers swayed gently in the soft morning breeze.

“Here we are,” Sean announced as he parked the van. “Home sweet home.” A sense of pride colored his tone.

It was quaint, and I could hardly wait to see the inside.

The door opened, and Brody, Scott, and Grady, members of the Paranormal Mercenary Corps, came out. They reminded me of linebackers with their broad shoulders and towering frames, but I knew there was more to them than met the eye. All three had been part of an evil experiment from Sector Nine and had been given a dragon blood serum. It made them taller, stronger, and more muscular than ordinary men.

Luckily, the serum hadn’t turned them into monsters.

Brody, the tallest of the three, had a rugged jawline, and his gray eyes held a past of haunted battles. Grady’s eyes glinted with a mischievous spark, and his long hair flared over his shoulders as if he were a god. Scott, the quietest of the trio, had an air of calm intensity about him, like a coiled spring ready to unleash its power. His gaze was sharp and penetrating as if he could see into the heart of a person.

As they approached us, I smiled as relief and gratitude washed over me. I remembered the first time we fought together in the heart of Mystic Ridge Hospital. A demon had scratched me in a dream, leaving me poisoned, but Brody, Grady, and Scott, along with a priest, had helped us break the spell. They had stood by our side more than once, facing down the Demons of Greed with unwavering courage and determination. Now, they were willing to help us face this new threat.

Brody was the leader. He headed toward us, his face lit with a genuine smile as he greeted each of us individually. “Good to see you, all of you.” I heard the relief in his tone.

Justice held his gaze. “News?”

Brody put his hands on his hips. “We’ve heard some troubling rumors stirring in the Highlands.”

Justice frowned. “What kind of rumors?”

Brody’s smile faded as he considered how to explain the situation. “It’s the people in Glenraith,” he began, the town’s name causing a ripple of concern. “They’ve changed. Overnight, it seems like everyone’s become…different. More arrogant, dismissive of others, even downright cruel in some cases.”

Justice rubbed his chin. “Arrogant? Cruel? Sounds like more than bad moods.”

Grady interjected, “It’s more than that. It’s like they did a one-eighty on their personalities.”

Damon crossed his arms, leaning back as he processed Brody’s and Grady’s words, a skeptical arch to his eyebrow. “So, you’re telling us the whole town woke up on the wrong side of the bed and decided to crank the jerk dial to eleven? That’s not your everyday brand of grumpy.”

“Exactly.” Brody nodded. “Folks who were once humble and community-minded have become obsessed with their own status, power, or beauty. It’s like their ego has been amplified, twisted into something unnatural. They’re isolating themselves, claiming they’re superior to their neighbors, even to their own families.”

Lisa interjected, her brow furrowed in concern. “That doesn’t sound like simple human vanity. It sounds more like possession.”

---