Maya stood rooted to the floor, every ounce of color draining from her face.
Her breathing became shallow.
This wasn't another nightmare.
This wasn't another hallucination.
For the first time since performing the forbidden ritual.....
Something had crossed over.
Something had touched her.
Something had left its mark.
Outside, thunder rolled across the mountains, shaking the windows of the cabin.
Maya slowly stumbled backward until the backs of her knees struck the edge of the bed.
She collapsed onto it without taking her eyes off the mirror.
The message didn't disappear.
It remained there...
As though patiently waiting for her to understand.
Then—
A single drop of blood slid from the corner of her mouth.
Maya raised trembling fingers to wipe it away.
When she looked down...
Her fingertips were stained crimson.
Her pupils contracted.
"No..."
The whisper barely escaped her lips.
The candle beside the mirror flickered once.
Twice.
Then went out.
