The Summer Solstice ~ Enchanted Read Free

not just any
necklace. The green crystal reflects the light of the sun that streams through
the massive balcony windows. I move to touch the necklace – lifting it
gently from my neck.
    My
heart pounds like a steady drum. The image smiles at me, with an almost evil
glimmer in her eye. I gasp. She does not gasp with me, but smiles even
brighter. There are silver streaks of madness in her eyes that freeze me to a
still. Her eyes narrow and turn so that they no longer meet mine. They stare
just to the right of me, over my shoulder where an antique vase sits, holding
fresh flowers.
    I watch as the vase
lifts with every move of my reflection’s finger. The next sound I hear is a
terrifying scream. I jam my palms to the sides of my head to muffle the
horrible sound coming from my reflection’s voice. My mirror image isn’t smiling
anymore. Her mouth is grotesque, shaped into a scream as the sound escapes her.
The vase shakes violently and with a final change in pitch, it shatters in
midair, spraying my bedroom with glass.
    I am still
covering my ears. My eyes are pinched closed and I’m screaming too. I continue
to scream until someone shakes me. My eyes shoot open. I’m ready to defend
myself from the attack of the girl in the mirror until I see a new light. This
bright white light does not belong to the scene I was just a part of and I’m
not sitting at my vanity. I am lying in bed, covered from head to toe in sweat.
And now that I realize it was all a dream, I am crying in Charlotte’s arms. She
shushes me, comforting me as I sob into her arms.
    “It was just a
dream, it’s okay. Everything will be okay.” The mesmerizing sound of her voice and
light rocking of my body is soothing enough to get me back to sleep quickly.

Chapter Two
    I don’t wake up again until the morning and this
time I’m not screaming. No other dreams haunt me that night, but I can’t stop
thinking about the reflection in the mirror.
    The moment I begin my descent down the grand
staircase my mouth tingles as the aroma of bacon and eggs enters my nostrils. I
follow the scent past the white great room, through a brilliant mahogany arch
into a lavish dining room decorated in electric blue, from the plates on the
wall, to the table coverings, and candles on the table. I’m spellbound as I
bobble through the room as if on a cloud.
    My dream from last night is far from out of my
mind, but for now, it’s pushed aside as I take my seat in the dining room.
    A stranger to me, though biologically she is my
grandmother, sits facing me with a smile set on her face. She moves to set her
water glass down and I see her clearly. With her hair as white as snow, her
eyes as silver as diamonds, and skin as new as a middle-aged woman, she is
actually a stunning sight. Simple math tells me Rose is at least 60 years old
but by the looks of her, she isn’t a day over 50. It’s a strange experience to
be sitting across from a woman I am to call Grandma.
    Rose’s friendly expression makes me feel as if she
doesn’t consider me a stranger. My stomach twists in discomfort. “You are more
beautiful than I imagined.” She remarks. “It’s as if I’m looking into your
mother’s reflection at 16 years old.”
    Nervous as I am in this moment I find the strength
to respond to this stranger before me. “I’ll be 16 on June 21st.”
    Rose – er, my grandmother – smiles
brightly at nods and me. “Yes, dear. I know.” Something about her response
sends a current through my body. I try to shake it away but it lingers as I continue
to speak. “Is it okay if I call you Rose?”
    Rose nods kindly and waves a hand towards my hot
plate. “Of course. Would you eat with me? Charlotte whipped us up some of your
favorites.” I think I catch a wink from Rose. My stomach tightens. How does
she know what my favorites are? Bacon, eggs, and waffles with blueberries. Yup.
    I didn’t notice Charlotte in the corner of the
dining room but I see her wiping dust from a frame. She