Ch.6 Mirror Mirror

Chapter 6

2 weeks later

"Good morning, darling," Adan leaned down and whispered into Birdie's ear as he fell into steps behind her.

"Good morning," Birdie turned and began to walk backwards.

"I love that smile on your face," Adan grinned.

"What smile?"

Leaning forward, the boy placed a quick kiss upon her lips before squeezing her sides to make her squeal.

"That smile," Adan said, tucking Birdie under his arm and placing a kiss on top of her head. "Did you get home okay last night?"

"Yes," Birdie nodded, placing her head against his chest as they began to make their way down the hall.

"You didn't call me."

"I'm sorry," Birdie sighed. "I was so tired. I knocked out."

"It's okay," Adan placed another kiss on top of her head. "Sorry about tiring you out."

"I don't mind," Birdie batted her long lashes.

"Are you too tired to come by the seventh floor?" Adan leaned forward and whispered.

"Maybe just a little," Birdie teased. "But I'll make an exception for you."

"Meet me there in ten minutes."

"Where are you going?"

"I just have to check in with Heyder about something with the guards," Adan turned to head in the opposite direction. "I'll be there in ten minutes. Wait for me."

"You better not be late," Birdie called after the boy as he began to jog away.

Left alone in the halls of the Tyveer court, Birdie raised her hand and summoned a portal to the seventh floor. She imagined the furniture covered with white sheets, the stained glass windows and the sound of the sea meeting the desert below. Her skin prickled alive as the air shimmered in front of her and the gateway opened.

"Going somewhere?"

Birdie opened her eyes to find Sara walking towards her.

"Good morning, Birdie," the girl smiled.

"Good morning," Birdie said, her voice not as cheerful or flawless as Sara.

"Were you headed home?" Sara asked, looking at the portal.

"No, just....stepping out for a bit."

"Oh..." Sara's eyes returned to Birdie. "Some of the other girls and I are going to the jewler. Would you like to join us?"

Birdie's nose scrunched up despite her trying to keep her expression pleasant. She saw the disappointment in Sara's eyes even before she opened her mouth.

"Sorry," Birdie said. "I have something I need to do."

"That's okay," Sara nodded. "Maybe next time."

Both girls knew that was a lie. Birdie never joined the other girls for anything at court. No matter how many times she was invited, she was always a no show.

"Yeah," Birdie shrugged. "Maybe next time."

"How's Adan?" Sara asked.

"He's good."

"You two look really good together."

"Thanks," Birdie gave a short laugh.

"He's always talking about you," Sara continued. "Makes all the other girls so jealous."

"I don't know why they would be jealous."

Sara tilted her head slightly to the side and peered at the funny girl, "You are so lucky, Birdie. You have him wrapped around your little finger."

Seeing the bewildered expression on Birdie's face, Sara threw her head back and gave a laugh.

"Do you not see the spell you casted over him?" She asked. "The boy is so in love with you."

Birdie's heart began to pound in her chest as a river of unfamiliar guilt started to pour through her veins instead of blood. Her head felt too heavy for her head and her lungs refused to work properly.

Anyone else would kill to be in Birdie's shoes. Adan was perfect. But why couldn't Birdie shake off the sticky guilt that was starting to coat every single cell in her body?

I like him, Birdie told herself. He's great. He's funny, charming, and attentive. My parents love him, his parents love me...we're perfect together.

"Maybe you're just lost in cloud nine," Sara teased. "Who wouldn't be when they're wrapped up in Adan's arms, am I right?"

Birdie nodded, a nervous laugh bubbled out of her as she scratched her head and tugged at her sleeves.

"It was nice seeing you Sara," she said, turning towards the portal.

"Same here," Sara said sincerely. "Hopefully next time you'll come out with us?"

"Yeah," Birdie nodded. "Hopefully."

Before Sara could say anything else and distract her once again, Birdie stepped into the portal and disappeared. Her heart ached from the suffocating guilt inside of her. Her chest began to tighten and breathing became too difficult. Birdie leaned forward and placed her hands on her knees. She forced her lungs to take in as much air as possible as she placed her hands over her ears and tried to shut out the ringing.

Suddenly, before Birdie could catch her breath, there was a loud crash.

Startled, Birdie straightened up in alarm. Her fast pace pulse climbed sky high as she looked around with wide eyes for the source of the crash.

Somewhere in the room, hidden behind shelves and boxes, a music box had toppled over the edge. The unmistakable tune of a piano ballet began to play in the silence. Birdie turned in her spot until she pinpointed just where the sound was coming from.

Her feet began to move towards the back of the room where a large desk had been pushed back against the wall. Birdie walked around the edge, searching for the music box. When she spotted the small golden box laying on the floor, she leaned over and picked it up, causing the small dancer to snap off.

"Shit," Birdie muttered, holding the ballerina in one hand and the music box in the other.

The music still played loud and clear. Birdie sat the box down and shut the lid, killing off the sound and drowning the room in silence once more.

As she stood by the desk, examining the ballerina, the back of her neck suddenly began to prickle. The eerie feeling of someone watching her crawled up her back, causing Birdie to whirl around.

"Adan?" She called out, gripping the small figurine in her hand. "Adan?"

Silence.

Before birdy could take a single step forward, the spring on the lid of the music box snapped in half, causing the box to fly open and start it's music.

"Jesus Christ!" Birdie jumped.

She picked up the lid and tried to force it back on. But the stubborn pieces would not cooperate. Birdie lifted the box to her eye level to see if she could somehow put it back together. The break wasn't too bad, she would be able to snap the pieces back like a puzzle. But the ballerina would take time. There was no way she was getting back on her pedestal without glue.

Grabbing a heavy book off the nearest shield behind the desk, Birdie placed it over the music box as a temporary solution. She placed the ballerina in her pocket and made a mental note to bring glue with her.

The seventh floor was special to her baba. Every inch and every part of it was a memory of hHeyder's childhood. Maybe he wasn't ready to face those memories yet. But Birdie wanted to keep everything as it was in hopes that maybe someday Heyder would come back.

__________________________

"Well, well, well," Noor said, looking up from his comic book. "Look who's home."

Birdie arched her brow as she stepped out of the portal and dropped her bag in the armchair.

"What's up, kid?" She asked.

"Why are you so dusty?" Noor scrunched up his nose. "I'm allergic to dust."

"I'm not dus-" Birdie looked down at herself and spotted the dust bunnies all over her jeans.

She knew she should have listened to Adan and shook out her clothes before putting them back on. But after her small chat with Sara, Birdie couldn't look the boy in the eyes and it was starting to frustrate her. All she wanted to do was make an exit without offending him.

"Jesus," Noor sat up. "Did you roll around in cobwebs or something?"

"I..." Birdie shook her hair. "I was cleaning something."

Noor started before lifting one shoulder and falling back against the sofa.

"Baba's in the kitchen with Zubee," he said, picking up his comic book.

"Got it," Birdie turned to leave when she suddenly remembered the ballerina in her pocket. "Hey, Noor?"

"I'm not doing it," Noor said.

"You don't even know what I was going to say," Birdie rolled her eyes.

"Unless you're offering me food, you shouldn't be talking to me."

"You're such a little asshole," Birdie said, shooting a harmless blast at his head.

"Baba!" Noor yelled. "Birdie's hitting me again!"

"No! I didn't!" Birdie's eyes widened. "Noor!"

"Birdie!" Hayden's voice came from the kitchen.

"Nobody likes you," Birdie glared at the little fey.

"Like I give a fuck."

"Ayy!" Hayden yelled once more. "Noor! I heard that!"

"Please don't tell mom," Noor threw his comic down and ran towards the kitchen. "Please, please, please. I already have two strikes. She's going to take my game away if you tell her. Please, baba."

"You do the crime, you do the time," Hayden shrugged.

"What are you doing?" Birdie asked, walking into the kitchen to find her brother hunched over a large black cauldron.

"Oh my god! He's going to cook Zubee!" Noor yelled dramatically as he ran towards his sister. "Nooooo! Not Zubee, you satan!"

Hayden straightened with a blank expression on his face and looked at his son.

"Relax," he said.

"Daddy and I made milkshakes," Zubee announced.

"In that?" Birdie pointed to the cauldron.

"No," Hayden sighed, picking up a wooden spoon. "In the blender. Go have some if you want."

"What's in this?" Noor asked, pinching his nose and peeking into the cauldron. "I don't think Zubee will fit in here, baba."

"But you might," Hayden laughed. "Birdie, grab his legs."

Both Birdie and Hayden moved at once, tackling the boy as he tried to run out the room. Zuri stomped her feet with excitement as Birdie grabbed Noor's legs and Hayden grabbed his arms. They swung him like a hammock as Noor twisted his body and struggled.

"Sit on him, zozo," Birdie said to the little girl.

Zuri ran forward and climbed onto Noor's stomach. The boy groaned as Zuri wrapped her limbs around him like a monkey.

"Ready?" Hayden asked.

"Ready!" Zuri giggled.

"I'm gonna throw up," Noor leaned his head back, his dark curly hair sweeping the floor.

"Damn, what have you been feeding these hippos?" Birdie complained as her arms began to hurt.

"More!" Zuri complained. "Birdie, more, please!"

"No," Noor shook his head. "No more."

Laughing, Hayden slowly lowered his son onto the hardwood floor. Zuri immediately sat up on her brother's stomach and climbed off, making sure she didn't kick his face.

"That was fun, daddy!" She giggled, pushing her hair out of the way.

"I will never recover from this," Noor said from the floor.

"Get up," Birdie clicked her tongue and nudged the dramatic boy with her feet. She turned her attention to her brother and walked over to the cauldron. "Seriously, what is this for?"

"Mom and Gem are working on a spell," Hayden said. "They asked me to keep an eye on it."

"Why?"

As if to answer for itself, the cauldron began to bubble and pour out smoke. Noor slowly climbed to his feet and pinched his nose, preparing for any foul smell.

"I'm a witch! I'm a witch!" Zuri began to chant.

With a grin, Birdie snapped her finger and a tall black hat appeared over Zuri's curls. The girl squealed with excitement as she grabbed the hat and bent the brim down to her ears.

"Aw, look," Noor said. "The vestal is a witch now."

"Daddy, I need a broom," Zuri looked up at Hayden.

"Don't let grandma hear you say that," Hayden said. "She's not a fan of witches on brooms."

"Why?" Noor asked.

"Something about it being uncomfortable," Birdie said. "I forget."

"What if it was a magical broom with invisible seats?" Noor asked again. "Invisible heated seats."

"Patent that idea," Birdie suggested. "You'll be rich."

"I like money," Zuri announced.

"Okay," Hayden chuckled.

"Do you have money, daddy?"

"Yes, baby," Hayden nodded. "I have money."

"How much money?"

"How much do you need?"

The girl pondered her father's question for a few seconds.

"I need this much," she said, holding up her arms as wide as they would spread.

"You got it," Hayden leaned down and kissed her head. "But if I give you all that money, what will I give Noor?"

"Nothing!" Zuri giggled, knowing very well her answer was going to stir up trouble.

"Hey!" Noor's head snapped up at once.

"Noor, do you have glue?" Birdie cut in to restore the peace.

"I think so," the boy looked over at his aunt and then at his sister. "It might be in my school bag."

"Bring it upstairs, please," Birdie said. "I need to fix something."

"Take Zuri with you," Hayden said. "I don't want her falling into the cauldron."

"Come on, Little Miss Gold digger," Birdie held out her hand for the little girl.

As Noor went to retrieve the glue from his bag, Zuri and Birdie ran upstairs to Birdie's room. They threw the door open and Zuri ran in,jumping onto the bed before Birdie could tell her not to.

"Don't make a mess," Birdie reminded her.

"I won't," Zuri ignored her aunt, jumping off the bed and heading for the closet.

"Don't touch my shoes, Zube," Birdie warned her.

"Can I play with the dresses?" Zuri came running out of the closet.

"Only if you promise to put them back neatly.

"Make them tiny."

"Please."

"Make them tiny, please," Zuri said impatiently, bending her knees and wiggling.

Birdie snapped her fingers and a small puff of smoke erupted inside the closet. All of her clothes shrunk to Zuri's size as the little girl ran back in squealing.

"Don't let me find you sneaking in snacks like last time," Birdie said as she pulled the small ballerina out of her pocket. "Noor!"

"I'm coming!" Noor said from somewhere down the hall.

The sound of his feet running down the hall greeted Birdie before the boy appeared at her door holding a bottle of school glue.

"This is all I have," he said.

"It just might work," Birdie was about to ask for the glue when something shiny caught her eyes.

She turned to her dresser and took a small step closer to find the golden key laying amongst her everyday jewelry.

"What the hell," she muttered.

"What's wrong?" Noor asked.

"Nothing," Birdie picked up the key and examined it to make sure it was the same key she had given to her mom a few weeks back.

Mom, Birdie opened her mind-link. Did you put the gold key back in my room?

What key, baby? Maya asked.

The gold one I found in your drawer.

No, I thought I gave it to your baba to take it back to Court.

It's still in my room.

With a sigh, Maya replied, Heyder probably forgot to take it. Do me a favor and drop it off when you get the chance.

Got it, Birdie closed her mind-link.

"Give me the glue," she held out her hand towards Noor.

"Where are you going?" Noor asked as the air beside him began to shimmer and a portal began to open.

"I'll be right back," Birdie said. "Watch Zuri. she's in the closet."

Noor nodded as he stepped around the portal and headed for the closet. Birdie pushed the key into her back pocket and stepped through the portal with the glue and ballerina in her hand.

The seventh floor was just as Adan and Birdie had left it. The floor where they summoned their makeshift bed was clean and spotless. The stained glass doors were locked shut with the sun setting outside. The furniture was still covered and the music box was still silent.

Birdie carefully made her way over to the desk. She took the music box out from beneath the book and let it play as she blued the ballerina back in place. Clearing the space on the desk to work, Birdie picked up the broken lid to see if she could put it back on when the rusty metal spring that had snapped off jabbed into her finger.

"Son of a-" Birdie yelped in pain.

Her finger began to throb in pain as she pulled it closer to get a better look. The small metal spring stuck out and shimmered in the sunlight as if it was a dagger. Birdie carefully pulled it out and flinched. The sharp pain that danced up her arm made her whimper and click her tongue with annoyance. She was about to wrap her other hand around the injured finger when the fat droplet of blood from her fingertip dripped down and fell onto the mahogany desk.

Suddenly, from somewhere far far away came the sound of a temple bell.

The sides of the desk began to glow and the wood began to groan as if a thousand year old giant was waking up.

Shocked and startled, Birdie grabbed the music box and jumped back. She watched with wide eyes as the desk split open, each crack oozing out golden light that shimmered brighter than sunlight.

"What the fuck," Birdie leaned forward to see what was happening.

Past the split wood and unearthly light, Birdie could see something glistening in the middle of the desk. The sound of the waves outside seemed to amplify as she took another step closer and peeked over the edge.

There, in the middle of the split desk, was a hand mirror with a brass handle.

Brass was harmful to jinns. Birdie wondered why Zubair's desk was hiding a brass mirror. She curiously took another step forward and leaned forward.

As Birdie's reflection appeared on the spotless surface of the mirror, something extraordinary happened.

The girl with the long silver hair and pointy ears was swallowed whole by her reflection.

OOOOOOOO what will happen now?