Mirror, Mirror (Gothic Fairytales Book 2) by Ann Aguirre

Author:Ann Aguirre [Aguirre, Ann]
Language: eng
Format: epub
Tags: Fiction, Paranormal
Publisher: Ann Aguirre
Published: 2021-10-30T16:00:00+00:00

18.

After a moment, Belinda sighs in disappointment. “Nothing happened.”

“But I heard it.” Albie glances at the rest of us, dark brows furrowed. “The mirror said, ‘My answer will be ever true, the fairest in the land is you.’”

“That’s not how it went in the story,” Belinda objects.

I need to step in before this deteriorates into an argument, as I surmise they read some of The Magic Mirror on their own. While I’m glad that Albie’s reading more, I wish she hadn’t chosen that book. Quickly I say, “Not all mirrors are magical. This one is old and needs a good cleaning.”

Fortunately, Birgit is more concerned about her daughter, who’s currently standing on the furniture. “Belinda Blom! I know you weren’t taught to behave like this as a guest.”

“Albie did it first!”

I pick Albie up and set her on the floor, before this can escalate. Birgit mirrors my motion, offering an apologetic smile. “We’ve stayed long enough today.”

“I’ll send some cookies home with you for Belinda.”

The little girl brightens. “What kind?”

Fra Birk packs a small box with treats and we walk them out. Albie doesn’t wave as Belinda leaves, still stewing about what happened with the mirror. I distract her with the promises of a snack in the sitting room and she snaps out of her bad mood quickly, racing me back into the house. For some reason I feel as if a crisis has been narrowly averted.

While Albie munches on cinnamon cookies, I head to the kitchen to get her a glass of lemonade, but the urgent cadence of raised voices stops me in my tracks.

“I can’t stay here,” Klara says, her voice breaking. “I can’t.”

Fra Birk sounds calm but disapproving. “If you quit without notice, you won’t get a reference. How will you secure another position?”

“I don’t care. This place isn’t right, it never has been, and it’s gotten worse. I see things in the night. And I hear—”

“Klara! That will be enough. Pack your things and go.”

With a muffled sob, the girl presumably darts away, as I hear soft footfalls. I rather wish Klara had been allowed to finish that sentence. The little maid always seemed so timid, afraid of her own shadow. But what did she see? Or hear?

I tiptoe along the corridor and take the back stairs that lead to the staff rooms, which are nestled between the second story and the attic. Though I haven’t been up here before, I’m pleased to see the rooms are clean and bright, if a trifle small. They’re also furnished well with simple wooden furniture. From farther along the hall, I hear the muffled sound of Klara crying.

“Are you all right?” I ask from the doorway.

The maid jumps, letting out a small shriek, pressing an unsteady hand to her chest. “You startled me!”

“I’m sorry. I overheard your quarrel with Fra Birk, and before you leave, I must ask… what have you seen. And heard.”

She eyes me, biting her lip, then she squares her shoulders as if making up her mind.

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