"THE MIRROR THAT LIED"
ELARA POV
Instead, they moved forward in unison. The three of them walking in step with each other, each of them grasping something in their hands — sticks. Wooden. Thick and knotted. Not casual walking sticks. Not for support.
For damage.
Dryness filled my mouth. “Is this some kind of joke?”
Ivy c****d her head. “You shouldn’t be here, Elara.”
“Excuse me?” I kept my voice as even as possible, despite the growing prickle on my skin and the tingling of the mark on my shoulder under my shirt.
“You don’t belong here,” said the one on the right. Face was blank but knuckles white around her stick. “You’re making waves you don’t comprehend.”
An internal knot tightened within my being as if an old string were getting plucked by invisible hands
“Are you threat
