Dark Mirror Read Online Free PDF

for that. “So I am to be thrown out like an old rag,” she said, her voice breaking. “The sooner I’m forgotten, the better.”
    “You will not be forgotten, Victoria,” the earl said uncomfortably. “The purpose of Lackland Abbey is to cure young people of their affliction. If you work hard and do well, you can come home. Though you won’t make the brilliant match you might have had, very likely you can marry a man of the middling sort and have a decent life.”
    He thought that marrying “a man of the middling sort” was acceptable for his youngest child? Anger overcoming sadness, she snapped, “Will you allow your guests to see me, or will I be hidden in the attic like a mad aunt?”
    His mouth hardened and he left without replying. She closed her eyes, fighting more tears. Her powerful father, one of the great men of England, was too cowardly to speak to his own daughter.
    A few minutes later, a footman brought her trunk from the attic. The brassbound box was small to contain a whole life.
    She had just packed Controlling Magic when her mother arrived wearing a black mourning gown. “Oh, Victoria, I’m so sorry! If there was any way I could save you from Lackland, I would do it.”
    She caught Tory’s hands as if she could physically prevent her daughter from leaving. “My brave, brave girl! What you did took more courage than I’ve shown in my whole life. I … I’ll miss you dreadfully.”
    Tory tugged her hands from her mother’s clasp. “Did you even try to persuade Papa to let me stay?”
    “Yes.” Her mother sighed. “He wouldn’t hear of it. On a matter that concerns the family’s reputation and honor, he is immovable.”
    Though Tory knew her mother couldn’t overrule the earl, she still felt betrayed. A countess should be able to do something. “Today I realized that the weather is always good for the fete, Mama,” she said crossly. “Has that just been good luck?”
    Her mother glanced away. “What an odd question. Your father would never hire a weather mage for an entertainment.”
    Which was not an answer. Though her mother wouldn’t admit it, Tory was sure the countess had shaped the weather for all these years. And she’d got away with it! Tory used magic once to save a child’s life, and she was exiled. “Weather magic is a very useful power. I wonder how it is done?”
    Lady Fairmount’s gaze whipped back to her daughter. “You know you mustn’t think of such things, Victoria! Magic is alluring—that’s why it’s dangerous. It seduces people away from proper behavior. At Lackland Abbey, they will teach you how to suppress your power. Concentrate on learning that so you can come home again.”
    Tory’s anger with her mother died away, overwhelmed by her misery. “I want nothing more, Mama.”
    The countess’s expression softened and she gathered Tory into her arms for a hug that said more than the tense words they’d exchanged. “Good night, my darling girl,” she whispered. “If you need anything, write to me. I’ll send it immediately.”
    Tory wished the embrace would never end, but finally her mother drew away. Blinking hard, she took hold of the doorknob.
    Tory asked, “Is Papa blaming you for my magic? Wondering if you have power since it usually runs in families and no Mansfield has ever been a mage?”
    The countess froze. “He has not asked. He does not wish to know.” Then she left the room soundlessly.
    Tory wondered how many families had questions that weren’t asked and truths that weren’t spoken. Her mother had lied about her abilities her whole life.
    At least Tory wouldn’t have to lie. Everyone already knew what was wrong with her. Perhaps, in the long run, she would be luckier than her mother, who had hidden such a great, destructive secret her whole life. Her fear had made her timid.
    As she glared at the door, Tory made a private vow. She wouldn’t be a liar, and she wouldn’t be a coward. Though she had been cursed with this