Page 58 of Turret

Cold fear encased my heart. From what the mirrors had shown me, Briar had changed, a beastly state so different than the kind brother I remembered. Even if the mirror’s visions weren’t a complete picture, they contained a portion of truth, enough for me to doubt that Briar would listen to me over Mother.

“And that’s not all,” Mother continued, and the iciness filling my chest deepened. “Doesn’t your handmaiden’s fiancé work at the palace?”

The only reason Mother could know such a thing was if she’d been eavesdropping on my conversations. I couldn’t answer, but my silence was confirmation enough.

“How easy it’d be to weave a story about him. I could tell Briar that I’ve seen Footman Corbin engaged in some suspicious dealings, leading him to believe he’s plotting treason…a charge which would lead to his execution. My, my, my, won’t that be devastating for your friend.”

My horror escalated. “No, please, you can’t—”

“And who’s to say I’ll stop there?” she continued, a dark, triumphant glint in her eye. “I could spread lies about Melina and Quinn’s families, or perhaps Reve’s husband…there’s no limit to the lives I could destroy due to your lack of cooperation.”

Each of her threats added a bar to the cage trapping me, keeping me from doing what I knew was right. How could I hurt those closest to me, especially after their unwavering loyalty? Yet how could I allow Mother to use her magic to hurt the lives of others should I cooperate? It went against my duties as a princess, a title that was mine no matter how often I feared I didn’t live up to it.

There had to be a way to protect both the kingdomsandmy friends. Openly thwarting Mother would only cause devastating harm to befall those I was closest to, yet my conscience wouldn’t allow me to give in. If I could buy some time, find a way to stop Mother…then perhaps I could protect both the surrounding kingdomsandthose I loved.

But the fact remained I was in a crumbling tower whose magic had all but faded as Mother slowly stole it. If I didn’t act soon…

I met Mother’s cold stare, glaring at me from behind the glass of the mirror that contained her.

The mirror…

A glimmer of an idea lit my mind, which whirled as I frantically tried to piece it together. Mother needed my help to escape her mirror. If I didn’t cooperate, she’d likely find another way, but if there was no mirror to escape from…

My pulse palpated, both in excitement at the possibility as well as apprehension. My idea was a gamble, but if it worked…

“What would happen,” I said slowly, “if your mirror broke?”

“I would lose my connection to the tower and…” Her eyes narrowed. “Gemma…” Gone was her false sweetness, her charade of motherly love and concern. Instead, warning filled her tone…as well as worry, easily detectable considering I so rarely heard it in her voice. “Why do you want to know?”

I didn’t answer, my thoughts still whirling frantically. Losing her connection to the tower would change everything, for without it she wouldn’t be able to steal any more magic, without which she couldn’t break free on her own.

That settled my decision. Without another word I left the room, ignoring her frantic calls behind me. “Gemma?Gemma! Come back here. I’m not finished with you.”

Her voice faded as I made my way through the darkness to the crumbled stairs where Quinn had fallen. I fumbled as I searched for a loose stone from the broken stairs. I found one and clutched it in a tight fist as I marched purposefully back to my room.

“There you are,” Mother snapped impatiently when I returned. “I was wondering where you’d—” She stopped abruptly when she caught sight of the stone in my hands. Fear filled her widening eyes, which only confirmed the path I’d chosen. “Gemma,” she shakily stuttered. “What are you going to—”

I slammed the stone into the mirror. The sound of breaking glass pierced the air, muffling her shriek and scattering the broken fragments at my feet. Breathing hard and fast, I strode to the vanity mirror on the other side of the room, where Mother appeared, her face hardened with fury.

“What are you doing? If you break the mirrors, I’ll never be free. Gemma,Gemma!”

I lifted the stone and hit the vanity mirror in several places, breaking it everywhere until there was nowhere it wasn’t cracked. With another shriek, her reflection flickered and faded. A sense of empowerment filled me even as a sense of urgency guided my movements, as strong as the emotion that had caused me to seek out Mother in the first place.

This blind desperation led me to the rest of the tower’s mirrors. I broke each one in turn, finding satisfaction in the sound of shattering glass, each which lessened Mother’s chances for escape.

“Gemma?”

Only Quinn’s voice was strong enough to pierce my focus. I paused in the corridor and turned. He’d left his room to investigate the sound of breaking glass, undoubtedly to assure himself I wasn’t in trouble. He used the candle sconces on the wall to grope his way towards me, his face pale with pain as he stood unsteadily on his non-broken leg, his unseeing gaze darting around, as if by trying hard enough, he’d be able to see me.

“Gemma?” Concern wrenched his voice.

I hurried towards him. “What are you doing on that leg?” I wrapped my arms around him, both to support him and because I couldn’t resist an opportunity to hold him. He slumped more than melted in my arms.

“I—thought you were in trouble.”

My heart swelled at his loyalty. “I’m breaking the mirrors.”

His eyes widened. “Breaking the—but why?”

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