FORTY-ONE
Briska stamped out of her boots, but the blazing leather had already set the floor alight. Swearing, she bit down hard and fought to cast the only spell that could save her. The circle of blue light flared and died, once, twice...but on the third time it seemed to stay, wavering a little, but enough. She stepped through the portal, which collapsed behind her. She peeled off her singed stockings, to find her feet red and blistered with burns. She stuck her feet in the water bucket, moaning as the icy water numbed the pain.
The mirror unclouded for a moment and a face appeared. "Well done," the woman said.
"What do you mean, well done? That brother and sister almost killed me!" Briska snapped.
The woman laughed. "Brother and sister? You are too easily persuaded. That's what
