The fact that my mirror talked like a sex-crazed drag queen with the tendency to sing loudly and off-key in the middle of the night was beside the point. It had deep powers I hadn’t even tapped yet. Emmett having it would be a bad idea.
“Sorry,” I said. “You know mirrors pass from one mage to the next only when the previous mage dies. Not a price I’m willing to pay. I like being alive.”
“There are ways,” Emmett said. “I have done much research on this topic since discovering the delicious fact that you own such a mirror. You can give me the mirror under certain circumstances and following specific rituals. I will compensate you well.”
Even if I believed him, even if he proved himself right, no way was I giving my magic mirror to someone like Emmett.
“Hmm, let me think,” I said. I narrowed my eyes. “No.”
“You have a piece of it with you, don’t you?” Emmett asked. “I know you do. I can smell it. And I know you and your boyfriend never go anywhere without a shard tucked away, in case you need it. Better than a cell phone, isn’t it?”
I gave him a neutral look. I did have a bit of mirror in a chamois bag in one of my pockets, but I had no intention of bringing it out. At least, I hadn’t until the mirror started screaming.
The high-pitched keening filled the car, and both Emmett and I winced. The limo didn’t slow. Only the magical can hear the mirror. The human driver and the two henchmen weren’t aware that anything was going on back here. I envied them.
“Could you keep that thing under control?” Emmett demanded, his face screwing up against the sound.
I dragged the shard of mirror from my pocket and pulled back the leather around it. The mirror was black, reflecting nothing.
Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee! The sound spiked through my brain. Eeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeee!
“Shut up!” I yelled at it.
Don’t let him take me, Janet. Don’t let him! I’ll just diiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiiie.
“Will you stop screaming?” I snapped. “You’re not going anywhere.”
The mirror dropped to silence. Emmett delicately touched his ear. “You know, I could teach you a spell to muffle it.”
Sounded divine. But, no learning magic from Emmett. He’d find a way to spike the spell the same as he’d doctor a drink.
“No, thank you,” I said. “I’ll put up with it.”
I thought Emmett would be peering interestedly at the shard, but he studied me instead, his smile unnerving.
“Think about it, Janet. I could make it worth your while. And Mick’s. I realize you own the mirror jointly.”
“I’ve already said no.”
“Yes, you have. It’s too bad, really. I like you, and would hate to kill you. I am trying to find ways I don’t have to do that.”
I wasn’t reassured. “Nice of you.”
“Not really. This is in my own best interest.” He waved his hand at the mirror and lifted his glass of wine. “Put it away. I’ll have to come at this from another angle.”
I tucked the mirror back into my pocket and looked out the window. I could see nothing of the night, only a reflection in the smoked glass of myself, and beyond me, curved and distorted, Emmett.
“You’re a fascinating study, Janet,” Emmett was saying. “The two natures of you, constantly battling. The earth magic of the Stormwalker and the crazed magic of the goddess from Beneath. It must drive you insane.”
I looked at him but said nothing. He was completely right, but I had no intention of telling him that.
“I can help you, you know,” Emmett said. “Make you able to operate the two sides of yourself independently, without worrying about destroying yourself—and everyone around you—whenever you need to work magic. Wouldn’t control be a soothing thing to have?”
I tightened. “Not if it meant being in some strange thrall to you. I’ll take my chances with blowing myself up, thank you.”
“Hmm.” Emmett shook his head. “You are one stubborn, short-sighted woman. I’m surprised the dragon puts up with you. Ah, well. If you’re ever interested, call me. I believe we have reached our destination.”
The limo was pulling up in front of the Crossroads Hotel. We’d put in a paved drive last month where guests could offload without having to park in the dirt. The driveway stood empty most of the day, as it did now. Not all of my guests needed to arrive in vehicles.
Mick was outside, waiting. I could see the dragon tatts on his arms shimmering—he was ready to go dragon, break open the limousine like an egg, and fish me out. He’d have heard the mirror screaming too.