Page 82 of Sweet Nightmares
Jane’s heart surged. She couldn’t let her sister do this. “I think this is a mistake.” So, without warning or forethought, Jane wrenched her into thewrongmirror.
Into one of the wickedest mirrors in all of New Swansea.
Beautiful Decay.
At least he was a friend. After a tumultuous beginning, Harlowe and he first became lovers and then partners in all ways. Except they weren’t married. A true happiness for now.
And because Jane and Harlowe had gotten over their differences and actually become friends in the last two years, Jane had gotten fairly close with Draven Darcy Hawthorne, aka Nightshade, aka Beautiful Decay, and technically Nightmare’s first cousin once removed.
Jane’s life was rather strange.
Quinnevere sucked in an audible breath and rounded on Jane. “You shouldn’t be here. It’s my Mirror Rite.”
“That’s not a real rule,” Jane said, grasping Quinn’s wrist. “You’re going to be fine.”
“Fine?” Quinnevere whispered through gritted teeth. “This is Beautiful Decay.”
Quinnevere’s face blanched as an icy wind ruffled the petals of the flowers surrounding them.
Beautiful Decay’s realm was a sunken garden with lily ponds and magic cottages. It was like a fairy wonderland.
“What the fuck was that? Why did you do it?” Quinnevere rubbed her temples.
Jane held up her hands. “I’m sorry, but I couldn’t let you bargain with Midnight. Her bargains cause permanent consequences.”
“Are you out of your mind? Beautiful Decay is—”Quinnevere’s eyes darted around, realizing the mirror god might hear her.
Jane wrung her hands. “I know how it seems. Nightshade is known for cruel bargains, but he’s my friend.”
“A friend?” Quinnevere’s voice pulsed with what sounded like intrigue and shock.
“Do you trust me?” Jane’s tone was a plea.
Quinnevere hesitated, and hope sank like an anchor in Jane’s heart.
“Trust me, he won’t hurt or take advantage of you. He only punishes the bad—the people willing to trade anything for selfish gains.”
“Coming from the person who made a deal with Nightmares, that’stheLooking Glass, Jane.”
“He’s notasbad as he seems, either. I wouldn’t bring you in here if I thought you’d be harmed. This is going to be okay, I promise.” Jane paused and bit her lip. “I would never do anything to hurt you.”
Quinnevere gulped. “No, it won’t be okay.” Frantically, Quinnevere turned on her heel and tried to leave the mirror through the magical portal door that they had entered through, but just as she ran toward it, a figure appeared on the path in front of her, halting her steps.
“Leaving already?” A sinister smirk rose on Darcy’s face, and Jane’s eyes lifted to the heavens. He was far too pleased with himself. “We haven’t even started yet. You don’t want to ruin all the fun.”
Darcy crossed his arms, his muscles bulging under his white dress shirt. Jane was surprised he was even wearing a shirt. Inside his mirror, he often walked shirtless, especially when Harlowe was around. But tonight, he wore black slacks and a white button-up shirt with the top three buttons hanging askew, exposing the top of his chest. He raised a cocky eyebrow, his swirling silver eyes alight with mirth.
“Hello, Quinnevere Ashelle, friend of Jane Whitfield-Wryte and the Daughter of Blood. I’ve been waiting for you.”
“I—” Quinnevere started, but was distracted by her necklace. As were Jane and Darcy, too.
It began to buzz. Inside the iron cage, the shard of glass became a flaring crimson metal that swirled to a smooth rhythm. Jane’s jaw dropped. She knew it. She now knew the necklace was a shard of the Blood Mirror that was destroyed the night their parents died. She hadn’t realized her sister had stolen a piece but when Jane saw it now, she instantly knew.
It called to her. It sang songs of sorrow and pulled her to it. This Blood Mirror wanted her attention in the same way the second had—in the same way the one had always called to her at the Queen’s Royalle Ballet. Now, Jane had found all three Blood Mirrors, but she would never tell another soul.
Their secret was safe with her. Not even death would rip it from her. Jane was excited to meet this one. The final one.
But then, as soon as it started to morph into something else, it froze, reversed, and solidified into a ruby, almost as if something had blocked its magic.
