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"In a dead language, it says, the Queen of Reflections"

"A queen?" A witch was considered a queen of an element when she was more powerful with it than any other witch Mari had neverin the rhyme? What can't I know?"

"I'll show you" The hand broke the surface of thepliable to allow it - and the apple she presented - to fit through

Mari stared at the shining apple, her h it were a waffle She shook her head hard "No, why don't you just tell me?"

Chapter 13

"All your questions can be answered if you come with ave the rhyme to me instead of Elianna Or Jillian"

"Take my hand"

"You're only going to answer so many questions at a time, aren't you?" Mari narrowed her eyes with realization "And like a classic, frustrating oracle, you're rarely going to give rinned coyly Great A glassy an to suspect that this reflection was going to prove to be like that little computer paperclip assistant - at first it helps, but after a while you just want the paperclip to die

In any case, Mari had her own suspicions about why it had been N&iuer as they aged, and soun to whisper that N&iuh to affect the outcome of an Accession Nïx had even mentioned it in the letter

Mari told the reflection, "If that's all you have to say, then I'et the apple"

As Mari accepted it, she et the apple,fun of her own voice

Though she craved it, she was nervous, at once te to

In fairy tales - which were almost always true - wicked witches proffered apples with evil intent But apples were held sacred by all witches as syht There was noit in both hands, she glanced around uneasily Perhaps she shouldn't be alone in a shadowy cave the first time she made this leap Yes, she would taste it later Decided, she slipped it into her hiking sack

When she exited the cave, she found themist was thick, the sky cloudy overhead She blinked and lowered her face, disappoint over her that there was no sun to be felt Vaot more sun than she had for the last twenty-one days