The Sisters Grimm: Council of Mirrors

1

Two Weeks Earlier

October 14

My name is Sabrina Grimm, and this is my journal. My family has been bugging me to write in it for a while. I tried a few times before, but I never really wanted to get all that involved with the family business. I wanted to be a normal girl, living in New York City. I wanted to go to school and have friends and buy bagel sandwiches at the deli on York and 88th Street every morning.

If you’re reading this, it means you know that didn’t happen. It also means you’re either Puck (stop snooping, stinkface!) or you’re a future Grimm. Maybe you’re like me and you didn’t choose this life. Instead, you got dumped into it, and nothing makes sense. Well, I suppose the least I can do is try to help you. There’s a lot of stuff you need to know, so you might want to sit down for this.

You know those bedtime stories your parents read to you at night? The ones filled with fairies, giants, witches, monsters, mad tea parties, sleeping princesses, and cowardly lions? They’re not stories. They’re history. They’re based on actual events and actual people. These real-life fairy-tale characters call themselves Everafters, and a lot of them are still alive today.

That’s where our family comes in. We’re Grimms, descendants of one half of the Brothers Grimm, and for hundreds of years we’ve kept an eye on the Everafter community. Believe me, it’s no picnic.

OK, I know you’re probably thinking I’ve been sitting too close to the microwave, but I’m telling the truth. I didn’t believe any of this at first, either, so let me start at the beginning. Two years ago, my parents, Henry and Veronica Grimm, mysteriously disappeared. My sister, Daphne, and I thought they had abandoned us, but it turned out Mom and Dad had been kidnapped (long story). Enter Granny Relda, our long-lost grandmother who we thought was dead (an even longer story). She brought us to live with her in a little town called Ferryport Landing where most of the Everafters live.

You’ve probably never heard of Ferryport Landing. As I write this, there’s an angry mob of ogres, trolls, talking animals, and other assorted monsters running loose on its streets, terrorizing everyone. Anyone with any sense at all has left or gone into hiding—but not us! Oh no, not the Grimms! Our family has no interest in running for safety, so we’re knee-deep in trouble, and things don’t look like they’re going to get any better.

But you still need to know about Ferryport Landing and everything that happened here. Of course, there might not be any more Grimms after me. I might be dead, and then there won’t be anyone to read this journal. Like I said, things are looking pretty bleak. But that’s enough backstory for today. I’ll write more when I can. For now, I have to go save the world.

Sabrina snapped her journal shut and tucked it into the folds of her sleeping bag for safekeeping. She rubbed her eyes and stretched, sore from sleeping on the cold marble floor of her new bedroom.

Not that the place where she and Daphne were sleeping could actually be called a bedroom. A bedroom contained—at the very least—a bed and a window and a place to put your clothes. The girls were sleeping in an empty room with stone walls and more than a few cobwebs draped in the corners. Every night, Sabrina told herself that this was temporary, that someday they would have a real room again. But to make that happen, she knew she had to get to work.

Sabrina dug into the foot of her sleeping bag for the drum-stick and rusty cowbell she kept there, then padded over to her still-sleeping sister. She called out to Daphne, even gave her a few shakes, but the little girl could sleep through a tornado. Waking her often required drastic measures.

DONK! Sabrina felt the sound of the cowbell deep in the pit of her stomach, but Daphne did not stir.

Time to wake up! DONK! DONK! DONK!

Nothing.

Wake up! We’re under attack. Monsters and lunatics and weird dudes with pitchforks! They’ll be here any second! DONK! DONK! DONK! DONK! DONK! DONK!

You are a terrible human being, Daphne croaked, pulling her sleeping bag over her head. As she sank inside, a big snout popped out. It belonged to Elvis, the family’s Great Dane. He eyed Sabrina sourly.

C’mon. Get up, both of you. We’ve got stuff to do, Sabrina said.

Daphne grumbled but did as she was told. She and the dog crawled out of the sleeping bag, got to their feet, and yawned at the same time. Daphne scratched her armpit and Elvis went to work on his rump.

Sabrina noticed a book hiding in the folds of her sister’s bedding, and she frowned. The Book of Everafter was a collection of fairy tales, but it was also a magical object. Its readers could step into its stories, alter them, and in turn change things back in the real world. It should have been behind locked doors, but Daphne was determined to keep a close eye on it.

You shouldn’t leave that lying around, Sabrina said. Hasn’t it caused enough trouble? What if it falls into the wrong hands?

Daphne snatched it up. Elvis is protecting it.

At least tell me you’ve found something in there that will help us free Granny from Mirror.

The little girl shook her head. There are a lot of stories—like thousands! I’m still reading.

We’re running out of time, Daphne, Sabrina scolded.

I know! her sister shouted.

The girls were silent for a moment, and the tension melted away.

I’m sorry, Sabrina said. I know you’re doing your best. Let’s see if anyone else is having any luck.

She led Daphne and Elvis out of their room and into a vast hallway with a barrel ceiling as high as the sky. Hundreds—maybe even thousands—of doors lined both walls. They had once housed monsters and magical items, but had recently been looted. Now most of the rooms sat empty, but others still held a few surprises.

The sisters walked along the hall until they reached the door they were looking for. They pushed it open and stepped inside. Mirrors—twenty-five of them—were mounted on the walls.

Sabrina and her family had moved the magic mirrors to one of the Hall of Wonders’ newly empty rooms that was closer to the portal, so that they could more easily access the Room of Reflections, as they called it. But only five of the mirrors remained intact. The others were busted and broken. Sabrina and Daphne were collecting the shards one by one and carefully gluing them onto the walls. When light hit the fragments just right, they created a dazzling effect.

Two people guarded the room. The first was an elderly man wearing a suit several sizes too large for his thin frame. His arthritic hands trembled in his lap. He went by the name Mr. Canis. The second figure was almost his opposite. No older than Daphne, she wore amber curls that spilled down her shoulders, a red hooded sweatshirt, and hand-me-down jeans. Her face was full of possibility and hope. Everyone called her Red. Both of them looked exhausted.

When was the last time either of you got some sleep? Sabrina asked.

Red smiled. He won’t sleep. He’s been up for days.

I’ll sleep when your grandmother is safe and sound, Canis growled, then turned to Daphne. You should lock that book up where no one can get it.

I won’t let anything happen to it, Daphne promised. See anything new?

As a matter of fact, Canis said, gesturing to the five intact mirrors. Instead of reflecting back Sabrina’s image, they each showed a bird’s-eye view of Ferryport Landing. Ugly purple and ebony clouds hovered in the sky. The clouds had appeared two days prior, blasting the town with lightning and ear-smashing claps of thunder. Show them, mirrors.

The reflections suddenly glowed with an otherworldly light. The surfaces of the glass shimmered and rippled, and when they finally stilled, four odd faces materialized. In the first mirror, a brutal barbarian named Titan appeared; the second showed a seventies-era nightclub owner who went by the name Donovan; the third was a laid-back beach lover with long dreadlocks named Reggie; and the fourth was Fanny, a roller-skating waitress with fire-engine-red hair. The fifth mirror remained empty.

Well, hello, darlings, Fanny said in her thick southern accent. She chewed on gum while she talked and blew bubbles between phrases. I was telling Mr. Canis that one of the reasons we couldn’t find your granny is because we were lookin’ in the wrong places.

Well, the world is pretty big, Sabrina said.

That’s just it, honey. She’s not out in the world. She’s still here in Ferryport Landing! the waitress cried, then did a happy dance on her roller skates. She lived in the Diner of Wonders, an old-fashioned ice-cream shop, complete with red counters and matching stools. Behind her, a milkshake machine hummed and a jukebox waited patiently for nickels.

What? Sabrina asked. But stealing a human body was Mirror’s plan for getting out of the town. Why hasn’t he gone? Daphne asked.

Well, I don’t rightly know, Fanny admitted. But I do have a theory.

And that is? Sabrina urged.

He’s stuck, Ms. Sabrina, Reggie said from his Island of Wonders. The bad weather outside isn’t a storm. It’s his temper tantrum.

Daphne slipped her hand into Sabrina’s and gave her a hopeful smile. Mirror had hijacked their grandmother’s body two days ago in the hope of skipping town and taking over the world. With his powers, there would be little any human being could do to stop him. But now . . .

Serves him right! Titan roared from the Dungeon of Wonders. He was a rugged man with long rust-colored hair and a scraggly beard. He often worked himself up into a blustery rage, turning his face the shade of his mane. Titan made Sabrina nervous. The medieval torture chamber he lived inside was filled with spikes, sharp weapons, and boiling oils. But, he seemed to be on the Grimms’ side. If only I were a living, breathing man, I would put a painful end to our brother’s atrocities!

He’s no brother of mine, Reggie grumbled. The firstborn is a scoundrel of the worst kind.

Firstborn? Sabrina asked.

That’s what we’ve been calling him, sister. He was the first magic mirror the Wicked Queen ever made—you know, the proto-type, Donovan explained, as he fixed his Afro with a comb. He lived inside the Disco of Wonders, a nightclub that never closed with a dance floor that lit up like a rainbow.

Anything is better than his other name, Red said. "The Master is—"

Creep-tastic? Daphne asked, pretending to shudder.

Sabrina didn’t have to pretend. Every time Mirror’s name was mentioned, it felt like her blood flash froze in her veins. How could she have ever called him a friend? She had confessed all her hopes and fears to him. She had trusted him, but he was using her, all the while making his horrible plans. The second he got the chance, he betrayed her and her entire family.

Whatever his name, our brother will pay! He has stained the honor of magic mirrors everywhere! Titan roared, pounding on his chest.

You mean, the four of us? Donovan said. We’re all that’s left, big daddy.

Titan snarled. All the more reason to protect our legacy.

Calm down, sugar. You’ll get your blood pressure up again, Fanny said as she applied a coat of ruby-red lipstick. Now that we know where the firstborn is, it’s time to focus our energies on catching him and freeing Relda Grimm from his control.

Please tell me you have some ideas, Sabrina said. Her plea was met with heartbreaking silence.

What about this one? Daphne asked, pointing to the fifth undamaged mirror. She approached its surface, touching the glass and watching it ripple. What do you think?

Canis sighed and shook his head. I haven’t heard so much as a peep from that one.

Daphne turned back to the group with a sigh. Well, at least we know where Granny is now. How about Uncle Jake?

Donovan shook his head. He’s been harder to find than your granny, dancing queen. He disappeared right off the map.

We can sense his presence, but we can’t pinpoint it, Reggie added. Wherever he is, he doesn’t want to be found, and I think he’s using some serious mojo to make sure it stays that way.

What about these broken pieces of mirror? Have you caught any glimpses of him in them? Sabrina asked, peering at the shards on the wall. In one, a man was putting on a necktie in a department store; in another, a woman washed the makeup off her face. In yet another, a high school student practiced a speech in a cramped bathroom.

Nothing, Canis said.

Well, I’m worried about him, but Uncle Jake has always been able to take care of himself, Sabrina said. Right now, we should focus on finding Granny. Now that we know she’s still in town, we can rescue—

Forget it! You and Daphne are sitting this one out, said a voice from behind her. Sabrina spun around to find her parents approaching. Her mother, Veronica, was carrying Basil, her two-year-old brother. Henry, her father, was dressed in a heavy jacket and hiking boots. Like Mr. Canis, he looked exhausted. Mirror is way too dangerous, he argued.

But danger is my middle name, Daphne said.

Your middle name is Delilah, young lady, Veronica said. Some jobs are for grown-ups. Besides, I could use your help with Basil.

Babysitting? Sabrina cried.

Your mother was up all night with him, Henry said. He’s . . . he . . . well, he won’t sleep, and he isn’t eating.

As if to illustrate Henry’s point, Basil cried and squirmed in his mother’s arms, pounding on her chest with his little fists.

Just tell them the truth, Henry, Veronica said. Basil misses Mirror.

Sabrina scowled. Basil had been kidnapped as a newborn by Mirror, who planned to put his own mind inside the boy’s human body. Basil barely knew his real family—he only knew his captor.

I’ll take him, Mrs. Grimm. He knows me, Red offered, reminding them all that Mirror had manipulated Red to act as Basil’s nanny for some time.

Veronica looked pained. She didn’t want to let the boy go, but Basil needed sleep, and Red would be able to calm him. Veronica reluctantly placed Basil into Red’s outstretched arms, and his tears quickly transformed into giggles.

I’ll get him something to eat, Red promised, and then took the boy from the room.

The moment they had gone, Veronica broke into sobs. Henry swept her into his arms and held her tight.

It’s going to take time, ’Roni. He just doesn’t know us yet. But he will soon, he assured her.

Veronica clung to Henry as he tried to absorb her grief, but Sabrina could see he had plenty of his own. If people could break in two from pain, it seemed that Henry and Veronica were very close to snapping. It frightened Sabrina to see her strong, confident parents so fragile.

So, what is your plan of action, Henry? Canis asked. I hope you aren’t going to chase Mirror down and confront him.

No. Henry shook his head. For now, I think it’s best if we keep our distance. But I do want to get a good look at him. Maybe I can spot a weakness. That thunderstorm he’s conjuring has been hovering over the southern end of town for a day. I assume he’s at the train station off of Route 9. I’ll start there.

I’m coming with you, Canis said, snatching up the cane that leaned against his chair. He used every ounce of his strength to struggle to his feet.

Mr. Canis, I would feel better if you were here, keeping an eye on things. We don’t know if any of the monsters the Scarlet Hand set free from the Hall of Wonders are still lurking around.

Canis frowned. Your mother and I worked as partners. I was not her assistant, and I certainly wasn’t anyone’s baby-sitter.

That’s not what I’m saying at all! There are plenty of things that need to be done here, and you’re the only one I can trust to get them done, Henry said quickly, almost sheepishly. What if I go down there and find a way to rescue Mom? She’s going to be exhausted, maybe even hurt. We’ll need to get a room ready for her. Or I might stumble upon some more Everafter refugees. Veronica’s got her hands full, and—

Canis threw his cane against the wall. His face was red with rage, and his hands were shaking. Sabrina braced for an argument. Feeding babies and preparing bedrooms was not how the old man was accustomed to helping. He had, until recently, been the family’s fiercest and most intimidating ally. He’d struck fear into the wickedest of villains, wielding the strength and savagery of the Big Bad Wolf. Henry’s request that he stay behind hit the old man like a sucker punch. Canis turned and stomped out of the room.

He wants to feel useful, Daphne said to her father.

I know, but he’ll slow me down. If something happens, I can’t worry about getting him back here, Henry said, though Sabrina could see he immediately regretted his choice of words. Not that anything will happen, of course.

I’d feel better if someone was going with you, Veronica said.

Someone is, Henry replied as he buttoned his jacket.

Sabrina heard a fluttering of wings and a voice above their heads. Incoming! Something wet and sticky landed on her head with a splat and trickled down her face. It smelled like the livestock tent at a state fair. Sabrina looked up and saw Puck floating above her, laughing and aiming another balloon filled with funky, sloshing green ooze right at her.

What’s in those balloons? Sabrina growled as she wiped the muck off her face.

I don’t have a clue. I found it collecting in a pool near the sewage treatment plant. It was just sitting there—free for the taking! Can you imagine? He flung the second balloon, and it hit her in the shoulder, splattering all over her neck. This is grade-A filth! It’s top of the line.

Sabrina clenched her fists and scowled.

Puck looked genuinely shocked by her anger. You’re mad? You should be honored. There’s a list of people a mile long I could throw this slop at, and you’re at the top!

C’mon! Henry shouted to the boy fairy, and Puck darted to join him, narrowly escaping the knuckle sandwich Sabrina was preparing to serve him.