by Sarah Noffke
Sophia raised an eyebrow. “Are you referring to a specific person? That is quite detailed.”
“Nope, just some Miranda I dumped in high school because she was cray-cray,” Lee replied.
“The truth comes out.” Sophia laughed at the assassin baker. “Mirandas are the worst!”
“Yeah, but not as bad as Karens,” Lee said impatiently.
“Poor people named Karen and Miranda,” Sophia related.
“Poor us for having to deal with them when they stalk me on social media for years and contact all my friends just to see if ‘Cat is treating me all right.’”
“So, you’re totally over it then?” Sophia asked.
Lee nodded, a smile plastered on her face. “But if I ran into the witch, I’d cut her.”
“Murder, you mean?”
Lee gave her an offended look. “Heck no. Putting her out of her misery would be a gift. Miranda gets to suffer through life without me. That’s the worst punishment I can think of.”
Sophia was about to respond when a white mist rose up from the floor. It started to take the shape of a figure as more mist poured through the hardwood floor between her and Lee.
Tatiana had arrived, and she was chilling.
Chapter Ninety
If Tatiana was wearing red lipstick, Sophia wouldn’t have known since she was all white. Makeup would have been a big improvement, though. Life or death or both hadn’t been kind to the evil spirit. She was hideous and bone-chilling to look at.
Her long white hair flowed out behind her, and the shredded gown she wore did little to cover her emaciated figure. Tatiana’s cheeks were sunken, and the place where her eyes had been were hollow sockets. She had definitely been a real Miranda back in her day and had to have done some really awful things to appear so soulless and tortured.
She opened her mouth to reveal a blackness that seemed to go on forever, and a ghoulish sound came out that made a violent shiver run down Sophia’s spine. That’s when she realized she’d frozen, even though the chase should have been afoot.
Lee still had her wits about her and raised the hand mirror, pointing the reflective side at the specter.
At first, nothing happened, and Sophia worried she’d missed an instruction from Papa Creola. The specter lunged for Sophia, her greedy hands reaching, clawing for the book in her hands.
Still frozen and not sure exactly why, Sophia remained rooted in her spot, not even blinking as the white ghost rushed at her, flying through the chest on the table and the various shelves and objects in the room. When she was a breath away, a beam of purple light shot from the surface of the mirror and wrapped around Tatiana like a bull being lassoed. This yanked her back slightly, but only a few feet.
The specter started forward again but didn’t appear to be able to move as fast. She was being restrained by the rope of light, tethering her to the mirror in Lee’s hands.
It was good that Sophia hadn’t taken off yet, she reasoned because then Tatiana would have pursued before Lee had a chance to hook her.
The assassin baker definitely wouldn’t be able to tell jokes while holding onto the mirror. She had the handle in two hands now, and her jaw flexed as her face twisted up with extreme concentration.
The act of holding the specter had to be great to cause this reaction from Lee. Through clenched teeth, she said, “Are you going to run already?”
Like waking from a bad dream, Sophia startled, her eyes widening. “Oh yeah,” she hiccupped before spinning around and taking off, sprinting through Roya Lane.
Chapter Ninety-One
Sophia didn’t have to look over her shoulder to determine if Tatiana was rushing after her. She could hear the rush of wind and the specter’s howling as she pursued.
If that wasn’t enough of an indication that the specter wasn’t giving up on getting the grimoire, even though she was tethered to one of the mirrors meant to be her demise, the reactions of those Sophia raced past told her. A group of gnomes jumped out of her path as she passed a pub where they’d been waiting. Elves shrank back into their yoga studios or candle stores at the sight of the specter chasing after Sophia. A set of fairies zipped back and forth across the street, unsure where to go to avoid being caught in the fight.
“Move!” Sophia yelled to them, hoping the simple instructions would clear them from her path.
Her feet were moving as fast as they could, and several times her boots caught the lip of an uneven stone on the cobbled road. She moved her arms, trying to propel herself faster, Baba Yaga’s grimoire in one hand and the mirror in the other.
When Sophia passed the Pegasus Correctional Office, she caught sight of Bep, who appeared only mildly interested to see the dragonrider speeding down the lane and a ghost howling after her. She actually waved, holding up her sandwich as though letting Sophia know she’d successfully secured some lunch.
Grunting from the burst of adrenaline, Sophia swerved around the food cart where Bep must have gotten her sandwich. She had to zig-zag to avoid running into people or objects, and several times she reverted to leaping to get over an obstacle.
However, Tatiana had a clear advantage, passing through objects and people, and not having to choose her path.
Chancing a glance, Sophia noticed that the specter was drawing closer and was only a few yards back. Thankfully the ghost didn’t seem to be able to move as fast with the purple string of light attached to her. It was still wrapped around her mid-section, and like a fish on a line being reeled in, it constantly pulled her back slightly.
Still, Tatiana wasn’t giving up and appeared to be getting used to the inconvenience. She began swirling in her pursuit, swaying one way and then the other as she continued forward. Her long gown and hair flowed to the opposite side of her as she changed directions. This prevented the string of light from pulling her back and slowing her progress, although she wasn’t taking a direct path anymore.
She would catch up with Sophia soon at this rate. Either that or Sophia would run out of street. She could see the end of the lane approach. She was roughly a hundred yards away from where it dead-ended—ironically where the Fantastical Armory was located.
Chapter Ninety-Two
Sophia kept glancing over her shoulder, looking for the mysterious sign Papa Creola had mentioned. Then she’d know when to halt and throw up her own hand mirror, hopefully stopping the specter until she could contain it in the perfume bottle, currently bouncing around inside of the pocket of her cloak.
Besides the new strategy Tatiana had adopted, there didn’t appear to be anything different about her. The ghost made a low and long howling sound that seemed to speak of her many troubles. Every now and then, Sophia could have sworn she heard a word like “hate,” “pain,” or “rage.”
How’s it going? Lunis said in Sophia’s head.
She nearly choked from the sudden interruption.
I’m sort of busy right now, she said, sweat pouring down her forehead and into her eyes.
I can see that, he stated, having scried her current situation.
Then you know right now isn’t a good time to talk, she replied.
What I know is that I’m bored, Lunis said. The others are all off on the dragons, distributing the cure for distortion, so there’s no Bell or Simi to annoy, which leaves me without purpose.
Again, can we chat later? Sophia nearly ran into an elf on a bicycle who didn’t appear to know how to stop the thing. I’ve got my hands full right now.
With just a hand mirror and a book? Lunis questioned, not hiding the laughter in his tone. I think you can hold a lot more than that.
Haha, Sophia said, not meaning it. The howling behind her growing louder.
I bet you’re really curious to know when you’ll be able to throw up that mirror to do the next part of this plan.
It had crossed my mind. Any ideas?
I have some theories on the matter, Lunis offered and then was quiet.
Sophia grunted, reminding herself to change he
r Amazon password so he couldn’t use her account anymore.
I heard that, Lunis said rudely. If you’re going to be like that, then I’ll just go and lounge on the Expanse and not offer my help. It’s a glorious day here—all sunshine and rainbows.
I loathe rainbows, she spat.
Lunis laughed. Me too, but seriously, it’s a real nice day.
Sophia’s eyes darted up to the gray skies hanging overhead. I’m jealous. Of that and the fact that you’re not being pursued by an evil spirit. If you were, then I’d be happy to distract you with bad jokes.
Oh, speaking of which, Lee had some good ones. I’ll be stealing those.
The dead-end of Roya Lane was just up ahead. It was a single brick wall that had Sophia’s gravestone printed across it. She whipped her head over her shoulder and found that Tatiana wasn’t any closer or farther away, but still following at the same constant speed.
This theory you have, Sophia questioned. When do you think I’ll have my chance to use the hand mirror and hopefully stop the specter?
That’s the thing, Lunis began. I don’t think you use the hand mirror to stop the old hag.
You don’t? Sophia asked, surprised by this.
No, I think you use it after she’s halted, he answered. If my idea is correct, the first mirror puts a leash on her, and the second one tethers her. Then she gets sucked into the perfume bottle, but only if everything is done correctly. Well, and she doesn’t grab and eat you before you’ve done it.
Thanks for the sentiment. It really helps, Sophia joked, grateful for Lunis’s humor right then. It was keeping the fear at bay, which had been close to overwhelming her. Then she really would have been done.
The brick wall was only twenty yards away.
Sophia sucked in a breath and held it.
That still doesn’t tell me when to use the hand mirror and end this thing, Sophia pointed out.
Sure it does, Lunis replied.
How so? she asked.
You just have to wait.
Wait for what, she questioned.
Until the leash runs out.
Like Lunis had been timing it, his words came at exactly the moment Sophia came to the dead end and turned, throwing her back up against the brick. The specter was still barreling toward her, mouth open and seconds from swallowing Sophia and taking the grimoire.
Chapter Ninety-Three
Pressing as firmly into the brick wall as she could, Sophia considered her options. If the first mirror was a leash and she was waiting for it to run out, then doubling back and trying to duck around the specter wouldn’t work.
What if the leash didn’t run out and Tatiana got her? Sophia thought, fear close to overwhelming her.
Breathe, Lunis encouraged.
The monster sped for Sophia, reinvigorated by the fact her prey was stuck and just ahead. Her clawed hands reached forward, and she shot straight ahead, no longer zipping back and forth.
Sophia couldn’t breathe as she was ordered. She pressed the grimoire into her chest and tensed, wondering if this was it. Papa Creola had said the weapon that would kill her hadn’t been forged yet, but he didn’t see everything and was sometimes wrong.
I love you, Lunis, she said in her mind, tears creeping up her throat, reminding her she was still alive, if only for a moment.
Don’t you ‘I love you’ to me right now, he said bitterly, the tension finally creeping into his voice.
She could portal, Sophia realized. That would put her and the spellbook in a safe place, but then she wouldn’t have trapped the specter. Sophia was fairly confident that the fear was too strong in her right then, and there was zero way she could use her magic, she was so scared. Never before had she’d known panic like this.
It made her chest vibrate and her heart pound. Her teeth chattered.
Don’t give up, Lunis said with conviction.
She wanted to believe him, but as the monster closed the distance, Sophia knew it was time to say her final goodbye.
Tell Wilder I love him, she stated. Goodbye, my best friend, Lunis. I love you forever and always.
Chapter Ninety-Four
No, Lunis yelled in her mind, sounding angry.
It hardly registered for Sophia as she looked into the open chasm that was the specter's mouth. The empty sockets of the beast tried to suck her in, and Sophia thought for sure she’d pass out before the ghost swallowed her or whatever she did. These would be her final moments on the planet she loved so dearly and would die to protect, and had failed to.
Don’t give up, Lunis stammered with urgency. This can’t be the end.
Sophia couldn’t see how that could be possible as the specter zoomed at her, now only a few yards away.
She pressed her head into the brick wall and tilted it to the side, prepared to throw up a spell if that would help, but not sure of any that would work on an incorporeal being. The normal offensive spells would pass through the ghost, which was why Sophia had asked Papa Creola for help. That seemed like eons ago, and the worst idea since it hadn’t worked.
All Sophia could see was the white of the ghost as she flew in closer, her arms outstretched, and her hair and gown billowing behind her.
Biting down hard on her lip, Sophia braced herself for the monster to close the final bit of distance. Just before she did, the specter was suddenly yanked back.
Her howling halted like the breath had been knocked out of her.
If she had eyes to see, Sophia was sure they’d be full of shock. The expression on her face was full of rage as Tatiana realized her leash had run out, and she was only three feet from that which she desired and the one she was hungry to murder.
Chapter Ninety-Five
The evil spirit tugged against the restraint holding her back. She was so close and just far enough away to keep Sophia safe. For how long, Sophia didn’t know.
The purple rope of light was still wrapped around Tatiana’s midsection. Peering around the monster, Sophia saw that the beam streaked all the way down Roya Lane, where it began at the reflective surface of Lee’s mirror at Rose Apothecary.
Lee, stay strong, Sophia said in her mind, offering encouragement to her friend, who was presently keeping her alive. If the assassin baker faltered even for a second, then Tatiana would shoot forward and complete her mission.
The specter was jerking against her shackle, trying to break it, but it held securely. Her arms clawed through the air, and she twisted her face to one side and then the other, her howls turning into screams.
That was a close one, Lunis said with relief.
You’re telling me, she replied. I’m not out of hot water yet. I’ve still got to trap her.
Oh, I was referring to a game of horseshoes I’m playing by myself, Lunis joked, nearly making Sophia laugh out loud.
Thanks for the concern, she shot back.
I told you that you would be okay, he said with sudden tenderness.
But you were concerned, she stated rather than asked.
Always, he replied. Now it’s time to finish this.
Sophia nodded. Her shaking hands fumbled to push the grimoire behind her back so she could hold the mirror with both hands. If it was anything like Lee’s situation, then she’d need both to hold the specter, at least initially.
She pressed her back against the book, using pressure to hold it against the brick wall behind her. At least it was still safe and so was she.
Sophia’s hands were sweating so profusely, she nearly dropped the hand mirror. She gasped, seeing a reality where she broke the object, ruining everything.
Thankfully she caught it in time and let out a breath.
The specter, perhaps realizing what was about to happen, lifted her chin and stopped her screaming.
Her hands yanked into her chest as she turned to the side. Sophia thought she was about to retreat, but instead, the evil spirit spoke for the first time. They were the most chilling words that Sophia had ever heard.
Chapter Ninety-Six
“I mark you with a devil’s curse, forbidding you from ever sleeping peacefully,” Tatiana said, her cracked, withered lips making strange movements as she spoke. “Forever and ever, you will know the torture I endure for eternity by keeping me from what I truly deserve.”
Sophia would have thought it was just a bold threat meant to intimidate, but then a blast of light shot from the monster’s mouth and hit her straight in the chest. The force was unlike anything Sophia had ever experienced. It didn’t hurt, but the sensation was far from pleasant. It felt like she’d been shocked by a defibrillator. Only this didn’t jump-start her heart, but rather made it stop for a second.
Sophia sucked in a breath, willing her heart to continue beating. The breath was unfulfilling. She was certain this was it, even more so than before. She heard Lunis’s voice in her head but couldn’t make out his words. Suddenly she was falling through a dark space, and her hands tried to clutch onto a life support as she plummeted to her death.
Just before she hit rock bottom, something woke her from the nightmare.
Chapter Ninety-Seven
Sophia, Lunis screamed in her mind, bringing her back to reality.
She straightened, realizing she’d been slumping against the wall. The spellbook had slipped from behind her back and landed at her feet. This caught the attention of the specter, but she still couldn’t reach it, her leash not allowing her to close the distance.
