Page 52 of A Fable of Riddles and Redemption

Zorina’s eyes bulged. What? How? She gulped and tried to deny it, but the words would not come.

“Oh yes,” he said eagerly. “I know exactly who you are, Odile—daughter of Lord Hamlin and Lady Othelia. Though, your poor mother is unjustly imprisoned.”

As much as she wanted to scoff in protest—her mother most certainly deserved her sentence after conspiring against royalty, even if the prince in question was a fool—she knew denial was her safest option. Would he set her free if she convinced him she was someone else?

Shaking her head, Zorina lied, “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”

Caliban frowned and studied her for a long moment. “I don’t believe you. I have sensed your magic—touched it, even. No matter what you claim, you will still be mine.”

“No. And I have no magic.”

He shook his head, his distorted features jostling with the movement. “Liar. You cannot escape me, Odile. Zorina. Or whatever name you choose to go by next. Your power beckons to me, especially now that I’ve linked our souls. I will always be able to find you.”

Zorina furrowed her brow. Linked our souls? What in the Realms—?

She dismissed the distressing thought. It made no sense, especially since he had only met her recently. Surely he couldn’t have done such a thing in so little time. Could he?

Correcting him, however, seemed foolish. Let him think I’m merely confused, not doubtful.

Arguing also seemed unwise in that moment, so she opted to hold her peace—whatever peace she could find in this strange place.

Changing the subject, she said, “I feel weak and hungry. What did you do to me? How long was I out this time?”

“Ah, yes, sustenance. Linking souls is exhausting work—at least on one end. And I need a new mask. Stay right there, my darling Zorina. Rest and regain your strength. Recuperate the magic you claim you do not have.” Caliban laughed, the sound even more unhinged without his mask covering his nose. “I’ll fetch food for our wedding feast!”

Her eyes bulged again at the suddenness of his announcement, but he whirled around before he could see them.

Then, before she could rise to her feet, he attached another mask to his face and stepped out the door, magically sealing it behind him.

Zorina shakily stood and began looking for another way out.

Chapter sixteen

Maze of Mirrors

Zorina

Zorina gripped the white mask tightly in her left hand. How would she escape this madman? Was it even possible?

The recollection of his scarred and battered face from when she’d unmasked him sent a shiver down her spine. And then, the way he had begged her to stay with him, to love him…

She shuddered at the thought. Love him? It was impossible.

Especially as a different—and considerably more sane—face flitted across her mind. Zorina quickly shoved that notion aside as well. Her heart was not for the taking, from any man, regardless of how protective or good he might be.

Caliban had also asked her to delve into black magic at his side. While she had seen her fair share of black magic in the past—thanks to her mother’s associates—she had no desire to partake of it herself. Not with the knowledge that acquiring that type of power required stealing it from another living magical source.

And draining it.

With how exhausted and dizzy she’d felt since he’d brought her here, she highly suspected he had stolen some of her magic after she refused him.

All the more reason for me to flee.

Unfortunately, another way out had yet to present itself. The locked door, even if she could get through it, might only lead to the very man she was trying to escape.

Zorina glanced around the main room of Caliban’s decadent lair, searching for some sort of alternative exit. An elaborately framed large mirror hung on the wall near the hallway she’d come through previously—a mirror that looked suspiciously like a door.

Walking over to the mirror, she examined it from all sides before running her fingers along the edges. Her fingers caught on a trigger of some kind at the level of her eye, and the mirror swung open. No light shone in the new space, unlike Caliban’s chandelier-lit home.