The Mirror's Other Mistress



In the forgotten halls of Blackthorn Manor, Elara served as the last gothic maid — bound by duty to a house that never slept.
Every night at the stroke of midnight, she stood before the Mirror of Veils. The ancient frame, adorned with skulls and glowing runes, did not merely reflect. It remembered.
Tonight, her reflection smiled a second too late.
Elara’s hand trembled against the cold glass as glowing sigils pulsed brighter. In the mirror, her other self stepped closer — eyes burning with unnatural hunger, lips whispering promises of freedom… if only Elara would trade places.
She could feel the mirror pulling at her soul like silken threads. One more breath. One more touch.
And the reflection waited patiently, beautiful and ravenous, knowing that soon the maid outside the glass… would become the one trapped within.