Heath extends his hand back through the shimmering door, which seems to be fading. “This is our one shot to take Olivina down. Let’s finish this, and then we’ll learn the real story. Okay?”

I hesitate, staring at his outstretched hand for a second, then grab it. He pulls me through the door as it starts to crackle and disappear. For a moment, I feel icy cold and see nothing but darkness, but then the world comes into focus, just like a mirror making a connection. We’re in Olivina’s rose-scented office, which is filled with pink and purple furnishings and lots of gold accents. A wall of mirrors is projecting a live feed of every inch of the castle, but I don’t see Tara on any of them.

“Prue says Olivina is almost done with her speech,” Kira tells me. “She wants to know where Tara is, and why this is taking so long. She said, ‘Maybe she should have just been here herself because when you want something done right you—’”

“Shh!” I scold Kira. “I’m thinking. Which mirror is the one we’re supposed to hack?”

Raina keeps her eye on the door. “Being in here feels creepy. Pick a mirror, and be fast!”

My eyes trail from one mirror to the next—looking at the ballroom, the rose garden, Marta working in the Royal Underground, even the Enchanted Garden where I see workers bewitching pumpkins into coaches. Finally, my eyes land on one mirror that is a reflection of the room. It’s the only mirror that appears to be an actual mirror.

“There!” I yell and go straight for it. I pull the tiny pink jewel out of my pocket and hold it up. Prue did an impeccable job of making it look exactly like the other jewels on this frame. Olivina will never know it’s there. “Pry one out so we can stick in this jewel and get out of here,” I tell Heath, my palms beginning to sweat. I’m getting nervous too. Lily flicks her tongue over and over again, saying, Hurry! Hurry!

“Already on it.” Heath wedges a small letter opener between the jewel and the frame. I can see the sweat on his brow.

“Quickly!” Kira tells me. “We don’t have much time. She could be back any minute.”

“I know,” I hiss, watching Heath work. My heart is still beating wildly. “Raina, you stand—”

Lookout was the word I would have said, but I don’t get a chance. A gust of wind blows through the room, sending Raina, Heath, and me flying backward, the all-important jewel tumbling out of my hands. I hit my head on Olivina’s desk when I tumble and instinctively grab it, wincing at the pain. I can’t focus enough to get up.

Olivina has her wand aimed at my heart. “Hello there, Devinaria. I think you already know each other.”

My head is throbbing, but I manage to lift it to see who she’s talking about.

It’s Tara, and she’s standing beside Olivina as if it’s exactly where she belongs.