Forever - Chanda Hahn Page 0,32

the porch.

“Well, I think that was the fastest breakup and get-together in history.” Ever leaned over to pull the curtain aside so she could spy.

Mina swatted her hand away. “No, he was always meant to be her prince charming. I just got in the way, and she was too good a friend to tell me her true feelings.”

“So she lied to you,” Ever said.

Mina thought about it, about all the jokes Nan made about not liking Brody Carmichael, even though their families were great friends. How she hadn’t wanted to be the one to bring the folder to his house that fateful day when he ran over Mina’s bike. Nan had liked him just as much as she did and was probably even more nervous than she was. Plus, Nan would never let herself admit to liking the same guy Mina did.

“Yeah, she lied. Not just to me, though—she lied to herself.”

Ever nodded.

“Hey, you said you had a way for us to talk without being listened to?”

“Yeah. We need to get all the mirrors.” She peeked back out the window again.

Nix walked in and noticed Ever looking outside. He pulled the curtain back and whistled at them.

Something loud slapped at the window, and Nix backed off.

“Leave them be,” Mina commanded. “We have work to do.”

Chapter 11

When the front door opened, and a red-faced Nan and a smiling Brody tried to sneak in, Ever pounced. She handed Brody a screwdriver.

“I need all of the bathroom mirrors taken down. You.” She pointed to Nan. “Tackle the hall mirror. Nix, bring every other mirror in the house to the kitchen.”

“Why?” Nan asked.

“Why must you ask why? Just trust me.” Ever made a face and rolled her eyes.

Nan started unhooking the hall mirror, and Brody headed to the downstairs bathroom.

Mina went to the upstairs storage room. It had been a while since she’d entered this room. As she flipped on the light, a tremor ran up her arms. She’d been sitting on that very settee with Jared when he almost kissed her. A blush ran up her cheeks at the memory.

The large portrait of her father no longer sat on the easel, but on the floor. Now a new canvas and portrait sat in its place. The subject was a young girl, sitting in the same high back chair that was in the front living room. The girl had a slightly heart-shaped face, dark brown eyes, a hint of rosy cheeks, and long brown hair. Even though the painting stopped just past her shoulders, and only the pencil outline showed the rest, it was obvious that some magic was creating her portrait, and her fear was slowly coming to realization. Yes, that image would one day hang in this house after she passed.

Somehow, the house knew her time was almost up and was painting her death portrait.

Mina yelled in frustration and knocked the canvas from the easel. She picked it up and kicked right through the center of the fabric, tearing it from the staples. She stepped through it, venting her anger on it until nothing was left but a broken frame, and she was spent, sitting on the floor, staring at the mess she had made.

“Sorry, house sprite, or whoever is doing this, but I’m not ready. So no more memorial portraits until after I’m dead, got that? At least wait another eight hours.” She spoke to the air, but she had a feeling that the magic house heard. “Now if you want to help me, you can show me where there are some mirrors.”

Nothing happened.

“Fine, be that way.” Mina began moving pictures and uncovering sheets from piles of boxes.

The curtain by the window moved. It could have been the air vents kicking on, but a sliver of moonlight fell through and pointed across the room to some boxes.

Mina checked that corner. Behind the boxes stood a large square mirror in an antique frame. She used part of the sheet to dust it off and then lifted it up carefully and carried it out. But not before saying a parting thanks.

Mina struggled under the weight of the mirror. Brody noticed and ran up the stairs to take it from her.

“Here, I got it.” He gently took the mirror from her hands.

“Thanks.” Mina smiled at him, surprised at how there was no awkwardness between them. Once she’d compelled him, it took only minutes to find his true love. How could Mina not feel good about that?

She walked by the front room and noticed Charlie