Page 51 of Mirror of Vanity

I leaned into him. “Really?” I murmured, my own voice sounding strange to my ears. “It only felt like a few minutes.”

I pulled back slightly and met his gaze. The depth of love and concern in his eyes took my breath away. I wanted to tell him everything, to share the things I had seen and learned.

Yet, as I opened my mouth to speak, a sudden wave of exhaustion washed over me. The energy that had sustained me in the mirror realm was fading, leaving me drained and disoriented.

Justice sensed my fatigue. He gently guided me to another chair and helped me sit down. His hand lingered on my shoulder, a silent reassurance of his presence and support.

“Rest,” he urged softly, his thumb tracing a soothing circle on my skin. “We have time. When you’re ready, you can tell us what happened.”

I shook my head. “No, we don’t. I know what’s hunting us. It’s a hellhound. We have to leave now.”

A menacing growl froze my blood. Red eyes burning with pure hatred stared at us, their malevolent glow piercing the dim light. Nails scratched the marble floor, sending echoes that heralded doom.

Out of the shadows emerged a large, menacing beast plucked from my nightmares. Coarse black fur covered its massive form, and its powerful muscles rippled under its skin as it moved with predatory grace. Sharp fangs gleamed in the dim light, promising pain and terror.

CHAPTER TWENTY-NINE

The hellhound closed the distance between us, its massive paws thudding against the stone floor of the Archive. Saliva dripped from its jagged fangs, and its eyes glowed with a hungry light. The air around us seemed to grow hotter, oppressive with the stench of sulfur and burning flesh.

Justice unleashed his sword, the rasp of metal against the scabbard ringing out in the sudden stillness. His body was tense, coiled like a snake ready to strike.

I knew even Justice’s skill and strength would be no match for the hellhound’s savage power. We needed another way out, and fast.

I clutched his arm, my fingers digging into his skin. “No,” I told him, my voice tight with urgency. “I can get us out of here. Grab Garrick.”

Justice glanced at me, doubt and fear warring in his eyes.

“Trust me,” I whispered, briefly holding his gaze before my attention snapped back to the hellhound, to the imminent death bearing down on us.

Justice moved swiftly, snagging Garrick from the chair and hauling him to his feet. Garrick’s eyes flew open, his face paling to a sickly gray as he took in the sight of the hellhound.

My heart hammered, and my blood roared in my ears. I gripped the mirror tightly, feeling its power thrumming through my veins. As I raised it, turning its gleaming surface toward the wall, I sent a silent, desperate prayer to whatever forces had guided me in the realm beyond.

Please, let this work.

A blinding white light erupted from the mirror, engulfing us in its radiance. It felt warm, tingling against my skin as it formed a bubble around us, a shimmering shield of pure energy.

The hellhound leaped, its jaws snapping mere inches from my face. I felt the heat of its breath, the brush of its fur against the luminous barrier.

It was too late. With a flash and a whoosh, the bubble contracted around us, then exploded outwards, catapulting us from the Archive and into the cool, blessed air of the outside world.

We landed in a tangled heap on the grass, gasping and shaking. The mirror was still clutched in my hand, its surface now cool and quiescent.

I looked up at the edifice of the Archive of Shadows. Its dark windows stared down at us like accusing eyes. Somewhere inside, the hellhound still prowled, robbed of its prey.

For now, we were safe. The mirror had saved us like the voice had promised.

I turned to Justice and Garrick. We had escaped, but I knew this was only the beginning.

The Demons of Pride were still out there waiting for us. It was up to me, with the power of the mirror and the strength of my companions, to face them and banish them back to hell.

I thought the Grimoire would be waiting for us, but the creature was gone.

Then, a loud, angry growl echoed inside the library, drawing closer.

I aimed the mirror at the veil, my heart pounding with anticipation. As the seconds ticked by and nothing happened, a cold, sinking feeling settled in my gut. The veil remained stubbornly closed, a mocking barrier between us and safety.

“Untie me, you fools, so I can open the portal,” Garrick yelled.

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