The Stepsister Scheme

bending over Stacia. Snow had taken one of the mirrors from her choker and was whispering a spell.
    “Hurry,” said Talia. “We’re trespassers in the Duchess’ home. I’m amazed we’re not hip-deep in darklings.”
    “It’s not the Duchess you need to worry about,” Charlotte whispered.
    Danielle dropped to one knee. “What do you mean?”
    “You should have listened to me.” Charlotte pressed her lips together.
    Behind her, Brahkop shifted nervously. “What are you doing to her, witch?”
    “Sorceress,” Snow said. She kissed the mirror, then placed the glass against Stacia’s forehead. “I won’t hurt her. I’m calming her, and erecting a ward that should stop her from using any more magic against us.”
    Talia moved back, keeping her sword ready.
    Charlotte turned her head, staring at Stacia. “I went to Brahkop after Mother died. I hoped he would give us a way to contact her. We tried, but—”
    “Be silent!” Stacia yelled. Charlotte’s jaw clamped shut.
    “Stop that,” said Snow, thumping Stacia on the nose. “The sooner you stop fighting me, the easier—”
    “You dare use mirror magic on me ?” Stacia started to laugh, but it was a laugh Danielle had never heard from her stepsister. Angry and slightly mad.
    Danielle rose, turning to face Stacia “What happened to her?” But Charlotte merely closed her eyes and shook her head.
    Snow’s forehead wrinkled. “How are you doing that?”
    The mirror in her hand shattered. Shards of glass cut Stacia’s face as they fell, but she didn’t appear to notice. She reached up with one hand to touch Snow’s choker. One by one, the other mirrors fell away. All but one broke into pieces on the rock. That last mirror landed squarely in Stacia’s hand.
    Talia raised her sword.
    “Back!” Stacia shouted. Talia flew across the cave like she had been thrown. She landed hard near the entrance. Her weapon clattered to the ground beside her.
    “What’s happening?” Danielle shouted. “Charlotte, tell me.”
    Charlotte didn’t answer. Whether fear or the magic of Stacia’s command held her mute, Danielle couldn’t have guessed.
    Snow’s hand closed over Stacia’s. Neither spoke. They seemed to be fighting for control of the one remaining mirror.
    “Pitiful,” whispered Stacia. She sat up and twisted her wrist, pushing Snow to the floor.
    “Drop the mirror,” Talia said. She had drawn another knife, and held it ready to throw.
    “Or you’ll do what?” Stacia asked. “All that fairy magic pumping through your blood makes you arrogant. What would you do, I wonder, if you were deprived of those gifts?”
    Talia threw. The knife spun through the air... and missed. Talia stared at her hands. She took a single step and nearly fell, grabbing the side of the cave for balance.
    Stacia began to laugh.
    “You can’t be here,” Snow whispered. “You’re dead.”
    “And you’re a fool.” Stacia cupped the mirror in her palm and brought her hands together, just as Snow reached for her own knife.
    Stacia’s magic was faster.
    With her fingers still curled around the hilt of her weapon, Snow collapsed to the ground. The broken shards of her mirrors slid along the ground, surrounding her. Slowly, the shards began to multiply. The sound they made reminded Danielle of a thousand stones being drawn across panes of glass. They grew higher, taking on the shape of a glittering coffin.
    Danielle moved sideways, never taking her eyes from Stacia. “Talia, are you all right?”
    Talia’s voice was that of a frightened child. “I can’t walk.”
    Danielle spared a brief glance, long enough to see Talia standing with both hands pressed to the wall.
    Stacia reached into the open coffin to poke Snow’s arm. “Like poor Snow White here, your friend Talia carries the remnants of a potent curse. It should be simple enough to revive that magic, plunging you into another century of sleep.” She smiled. “I’ll have my own matching set of princesses.”
    “Who are you?” Danielle whispered.
    “Don’t worry, my dear Cinderwench,” said Stacia. “We have plans for you. Plans which, unfortunately, preclude me from burning you where you stand.”
    “Get out of here, Princess,” Talia snapped. She lurched away from the wall, walking like a toddler. Her arms were outstretched for balance. With every step she seemed on the verge of falling. Her appearance had changed as well. Her hair had lost its shine, and her skin appeared rough and