When the room was quiet, I closed my eyes, trying to imagine what Mizrabel meant about going home. If she was my literal mother, wouldn’t that mean Polonias was my home? But if she actually meant where I was raised, then I would need to go back to Salem, which made no sense. I would remember seeing something as strange as a glass lyre. Wouldn’t I?
My mind ran through different places within my parents’ house. Next, I moved on to Snow’s, and finally Professor Pops’. Could it be at his house? I scoured each room with my mind, trying to remember all I saw, but it was impossible for me to recall every detail. I needed to be inside each room.
Which meant going home.
Had this past week in Polonias been a total waste? I knew the answer was no. If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have met Mizrabel. And meeting her seemed like the most important thing at the moment. She told me what to do to save Polonias. But why? I guessed she had ulterior motives. As I debated the answer, exhaustion won out in the end and I fell asleep.
Chapter 20
Leo stepped between us and separated our hands. “I’ll not ask you again to leave. The next time it’ll be with a witch blade to your navel.”
Mizrabel lifted her head and cackled. “Dear boy, don’t make threats you aren’t prepared to keep.”
I was in shock. Had the woman called me her daughter? Did she mean it literally or figuratively? Like, we can both do magic, so that makes me part of a long line of witches, which means we’re somehow connected… “Merde,” I swore quietly. My head and heart pounded as one.
“I’ll leave as soon as I make my toast.” She spun in a circle, taking everyone in at once. A glass appeared in her hand and she raised it. “To Cinderella.” She wrapped her free hand around my waist and pulled me against her side. “To save them, she must leave them and search for the glass lyre,” she said aloud. Then leaned down to whisper in my ear. “When you find it, bring it to me. I’m not the evil monster I’m made out to be. You need my help to save this world from the Sickness. Remember that, Cinderella. My daughter.”
She stepped back, releasing me so we were face to face.
There were people talking loudly, but it was only background noise. In that moment, it felt like there was just Mizrabel and me and the rest of the world was nothing but landscape. Her words repeated over and over in my mind. I really wanted to ask her about the whole daughter thing, but now didn’t feel like the right time. What seemed important was finding the damn glass lyre. “Where do I begin to look?” I finally asked, not expecting an answer.
She gave me a wicked smile before blowing some kind of red powder in my face. I flinched when it touched me and began to see stars. From what sounded like far away, I heard her say, “You’ll find it in a place you may call home beneath books and wonderous foam.”
“Direction?” I mumbled, wiping at the powder, but feeling woozy, like I hadn’t slept in days.
“Go home, child.” With those three words still lingering on her lips, the sorceress vanished.
***
What happened after Mizrabel left was kind of a blur. People spoke words, but it all sounded like a muffled foreign language. Someone lifted me and I was carried, then laid on a bed. Quilla appeared. Between her sneezing and her bright yellow and green outfit, there was no way I could mistake her for anyone else. Her concerned face came close to mine. She peered into my eyes—so did Leo and the king. Even Anna Belle and the leopard I hadn’t talked to yet… What was her name? Violet. Even she came into the room and looked at me. I couldn’t figure out what they were doing or what was wrong with me. I knew I needed to get out of bed and begin looking for the glass lyre.
When the room was quiet, I closed my eyes, trying to imagine what Mizrabel meant about going home. If she was my literal mother, wouldn’t that mean Polonias was my home? But if she actually meant where I was raised, then I would need to go back to Salem, which made no sense. I would remember seeing something as strange as a glass lyre. Wouldn’t I?
My mind ran through different places within my parents’ house. Next, I moved on to Snow’s, and finally Professor Pops’. Could it be at his house? I scoured each room with my mind, trying to remember all I saw, but it was impossible for me to recall every detail. I needed to be inside each room.
Which meant going home.
Had this past week in Polonias been a total waste? I knew the answer was no. If I hadn’t come, I wouldn’t have met Mizrabel. And meeting her seemed like the most important thing at the moment. She told me what to do to save Polonias. But why? I guessed she had ulterior motives. As I debated the answer, exhaustion won out in the end and I fell asleep.
Chapter 21
I liked the idea of Leo coming with me. At the same time I didn’t. It could get awkward. “Um, that isn’t necessary.” My heart sped up.
Leo tucked his hands in his front pockets. “I’m going.” He threw his shoulders back. “That’s final, Cinderella.”
For him to use my full name made me feel like a child being scolded by an unhappy parent. I didn’t like it. Through gritted teeth I said, “Since when did you start making decisions for me?”
He sighed. “This isn’t only about you. It’s about this land. As the Prince, I feel it wise to go wherever you go.” He raised an eyebrow and I got the feeling he wanted me to understand more than what he was saying. This had to do with his father, the king. He must’ve ordered Leo to go with me, which meant he had to go. He wasn’t given a choice.
“Fine,” I said. “When do you want to leave?”
Leo stepped close. “Now,” he said, taking my hand.
I didn’t mention I used the hourglass to travel to Sharra the day before. Instead, I took hold of it and said the words that would take me home while I thought of Salem and my house, and my room.
Leo’s arms came around me and I moved closer, enjoying his scent, like citrus.
As we moved through the mists, I saw the shadows of those dwelling there—beady eyes watched, as though hungry to consume me, and I clung harder to Leo. When the wet air vanished, we stopped. Leo opened his eyes, and a little piece of my heart softened. “You’re a good guy, right, Leo?” The question was sort of moot, because if he wasn’t a good guy, he wouldn’t want me to know. But I hoped he was.
His hands found the belt loops at my hips and he pulled me closer. “I’m your guy, Cinderella.”
I didn’t respond, pushing away from him. We were in my room. “Okay,” I said, going to my phone, which rested on the bedside table, checking the date and time. Not only was it still morning, but it was morning of the same day I left more than a week ago. Weird.
“It’s good you brought us here. It’s a great starting place in our search for the lyre.” Leo wrapped an arm around my waist. “You are an old pro already at travelling, too. I’m impressed.”
“Thanks,” I said as he walked over to my shelves, starting his search. “I think I would know if the glass lyre was in here.” I put my hands on my hips as he picked up one of my old journals and flipped through it. I took it from him and returned it to its proper place.
His eyes captured mine and he held my gaze. “We need to look around just in case. Sometimes things get put down and forgotten. Mizrabel said you should go home. It’s logical we start here.” He shrugged. “Might as well start in your bedroom.” He leaned down like he was going to kiss me. It wouldn’t be the worst thing in the world. In fact it might be great, his lips claiming mine. But an image of Gabe filled my mind and I resisted.
Leo glanced past me and at the bed before looking at me, an unspoken question on his lips. It was obvious what he wanted. Both of us together, rolling around in the sheets. I don’t know why I was shocked. He was a man and he had needs, just like me. The old me might have taken him up on the subliminal proposition. But since Gabe, my feelings for him, and Snow, seeing the way she loved her husband… I wanted that more than just sex. Not that I was against sex. Not even a little bit. But, I wanted my own happily ever after. Everything else felt li
ke settling.
Taking a deep breath, I moved away and checked under my bed. Nothing but carpet. I stood. “Nothing there.”
He watched me a moment longer before returning to his perusal of my shelves.
Everything looked exactly as it had when I left. Even my clothes were still thrown over the chair near my closet.
“Do you have anything that might be considered musical or, I don’t know, something made of glass? We should check it out. See if there’s magic within it.” Leo moved over to my closet and went inside. “You have a lot of shoes,” he called.
I snorted and followed him. “Yeah, so? What’s your point?” I pulled a pair of Jimmy Choos from their box. They were made of crystal and cost over three thousand dollars. When my dad got the bill, he nearly blew a gasket. I thought for sure he would take away my credit card. He didn’t, just told me not to spend that much money on a pair of shoes ever again. As I studied them, searching for something lyrical, I wondered if he let me get away with so much because of guilt or because he didn’t care one way or the other. It hurt to think the people I believed were my parents were just puppets, pretend parentals. I felt like all this time with them was a lie, that everything I ever believed was a mirage.
Leo took the shoe from me, interrupting my thoughts. He flipped it over, studying the sole.
“They’re glass slippers. Do these count?” I asked.
He smirked. “They’re… pretty. Definitely not the glass lyre, though. You should send them to Polonias.”
I raised a brow. So he knew what the lyre looked like? “Leo?” I began, but he turned away, taking the other shoe out of its box.
He whispered. “Prelilith Polonias.” The shoes vanished.
“What the hell?”
“I’ve sent them back to your room. When you return to Polonias, they’ll be in your closet.” He smiled. “Now what about a glass lyre? Have you seen one of those?”
I wasn’t sure how to react to him sending away my shoes without asking—without finding out if I was okay with it.
“Cindy?” Leo asked, touching my shoulder.
I needed to concentrate. Shaking my head, I sighed. “A lyre is what, exactly?” I asked, opening one of my drawers and pulling out a pale peach scarf.
“It’s like a harp you hold on your lap,” Leo answered. He opened a drawer and pulled out a pair of black lacy undies, holding them up with one finger. “Nice,” he said, and I blushed.
“Put those back. There’s no glass harp in my underwear drawer.” I returned my scarf and closed the drawer. He put my undies back and shut that drawer too.
“Fine. Does this house have any secret passages, secret rooms, a basement, or an attic of some kind?”
I thought about that. “Not that I know of, but anything is possible.”
“Hmmmm, okay.” He placed a hand on the wall nearest to him and spoke a few words. Magic pulsed from his hand like the walls had a heartbeat. He closed his eyes, concentrating. I waited, knowing he must be searching the house with magic for secret passages. I went back into my closet and searched some of the other boxes on the top shelf. There were trophies, pictures of old boyfriends, trinkets, costume jewelry, and letters, but no lyre.
“Know anyone who might have a hidden passage or room in their house here in Salem?” Leo asked.
I returned the box I was looking through to its rightful place on an upper shelf and faced him. “I don’t know,” I said, though I immediately thought of Pops’ mansion.
“This house doesn’t have anything,” he said, coming to me and putting his hands on my hips, invading my personal space. He was so close he towered over me. There was an island in the center of my closet, and he walked me back against it. “At least not that my magic can see.” He eyed me. “What are you thinking?”
“Nothing.” I shook my head, looking down at the space between us. “Just old memories.” I tried to push him away, but he held me fast.
“Can I kiss you?” His eyes searched my face for an answer.
I pressed a finger to his lips, ignoring the zing of white hot cold racing through me. “I can’t,” I said, my voice barely audible. It would be so easy to lose myself in Leo. His kisses. His hands on my body. I felt sure the experience would be pleasurable, yet also meaningless.
He held me a moment longer before letting go. “Why are you fighting us?” He asked the question though he didn’t seem to want an answer because he turned away, running a hand over my clothes.
I steadied myself as I tried to think. “I’m not ready to move on,” I said, honestly. Changing the subject, I continued, “There’s—” I tried to tell him about the secret passage in Pops’ library, but for some reason nothing came out.
“Cinderella?” He faced me, his features questioning.
I tried again, but the words wouldn’t come. “Off the top of my head I can’t think of any place,” I said, surprised I could lie. “Let’s just keep searching my house.” I was confused. I didn’t know why I felt nervous about telling Leo about Pops’ house. That seemed like a great place to start.
“Okay,” he said.
We rummaged through my room from top to bottom. I checked to make sure my mom was gone before going into my parents’ room. I found plenty, most of which I didn’t need to see, none of which was what we were looking for. Then we searched the spare room followed by all of the closets and the kitchen. By the time we finished, I was hot and sweaty and hungry.
Leo magicked us some fried chicken. We didn’t do much talking, probably because I was so tired.
“Let’s get some sleep and get a fresh start in the morning.” I yawned and stretched, trying to figure out where we could sleep. If we slept here, my parents would question the letter I had Quilla send, not to mention they would want to know about Leo and how Gabe felt about everything. That would lead to a conversation I wasn’t ready to deal with. My parents loved Gabe. Too bad he didn’t love me. I sighed.
“Great. Let’s go.” He started for the stairs, but I stopped him.
“Not here.”
“Where then?” He looked confused.
“I don’t… Hang on,” I said, and ran into the bathroom down the hall from the kitchen.
Chapter 22
Closing the door, I called Snow using magic. “Mirror, mirror, made of glass, find me Snow White, do as I ask.”
Immediately I was able to see into Snow’s bedroom. The vampire queen’s husband stood, naked, his derriere turned toward the mirror.
“Hi,” I said quietly, looking away. Dorian was handsome, but he was also like a brother to me and there was something so wrong about ogling him.
He yelped. “Fu— Snow, the damn mirror’s for you.” He dashed into the bathroom, mumbling something like, “Why can’t mirrors just be used the way they were intended?”
I fought back a giggle.
Snow appeared in nothing but a towel. “Hey, Cindy. Long time no chat.” She laughed, tucking the towel more tightly around her.
“What the hell do you two do all day? Are you even handling the queenly stuff? What about the school?” I huffed. “Or do you spend all your time in this room? Doing… I mean damn.” I shook my head, only a little jealous.
Snow snorted. “We’re newlyweds, Cin.” She glanced back toward the bathroom then lowered her voice. “The truth is,” she leaned in close, “I love being with him. I really, really love it.”
I snorted. “Merde, yeah. Sex is good stuff.” I thought of Leo and his brazen offer earlier. Maybe I should change my mind. It might help me relax.
“So good,” Snow looked toward the bathroom and then faced me, her cheeks flushed. “We did this thing earlier where—”
“Stop,” I said, but laughed. “I don’t want details.”
Snow laughed too. “Sorry. It’s only I had no idea what I was missing.”
“Yeah, yeah.” I put my hands in front of the mirror and shook them. “Look, I’d love to chat sex with you, but I have a question.”
She put
her hands on her hips. “I figured. What’s up?”
“Well, I’m… no longer in Polonias. I’m back at my house in Salem. Leo is with me. It’s just the two of us. Alone.” I lowered my voice. “And we need a place to stay.”
“Why not stay there?” Her face darkened. “And why’s he with you? What are you doing?”
I huffed, knowing she was questioning my being with another man when I still loved Gabe. “We can’t stay here because I don’t want the complications that would go along with introducing Leo to my parents.” I growled. “Anyway, he’s here to help me look for a glass lyre. Ever heard of it?” I wanted to tell her about the sorceress, Mizrabel, and that she claimed to be my mother. But I didn’t. Instead I gulped down a sigh.
“You know, I was at a meeting the other day where the glass lyre was mentioned. It’s said to hold great magic and will give the one who possesses it untold power.”
“That sounds about right. Did the person at the meeting happen to say where to find it?” I leaned against the counter, suddenly wishing my biggest worry in life was what to wear to school the next day.
Snow shook her head. “No. It was actually discussed as a myth. We were debating whether to bring it up as part of the Seven Magics curriculum.”
“A myth? Snow, you’re a vampire and you live in a magical land with all sorts of creatures we believed were fictional not that long ago. I don’t believe in myths anymore. If someone mentions something, it’s most likely true.”
“Possibly. I’ll ask around, but I think the last time the lyre was seen was in Earth’s realm. I bet Pops or Abernathy would know.”
“Okay. Thanks, Snow. Do you mind if we stay at your house?”
Deadly Witch: Cinderella Reimagined with Witches and Angels (Seven Magics Academy Book 4) Page 11