In the third-floor bedroom, Abner closed the door behind the three women, drawing a puzzled look from Mrs. Scudder.
He drew the curtains, lit the candles, and set the mirror in place. Then he joined Hazel and Xio by the sofa to watch.
Fanny took a deep breath and drew the symbols and cipher Abner had just taught her on a sheet of paper.
In fact, Abner had not copied Stewart's Secret Art exactly. He had made some improvements.
He knew Arrodes's abilities and personality well enough to understand that the "obstacles" and little tricks Stewart had devised would have little effect on the Simp Mirror.
It could easily get around those supposed "restrictions." It only played along because it did not want to scare people off all at once... In short, it was having fun.
And the harsher the "restrictions," the more thoroughly Arrodes might humiliate you...
Better to leave it as it was. At least the result could not be worse.
The room gradually darkened, and waves of chilling wind swept through it.
Ripples suddenly spread across the mirror's surface, forming dark-red Ancient Feysac words:
"You have summoned Arrodes, who is searching for its master. You must abide by the corresponding rules.
"For every question you ask, you must answer one. If you lie or refuse to answer, you will be punished."
"All right," Fanny replied calmly. Abner had already explained this to her.
Xio and Hazel watched curiously, both leaning forward a little for a closer look at the words in the mirror.
Hazel was especially fascinated. She had encountered few Beyonder items or ritual spells, yet she yearned to explore them. Bishop Utravsky's teachings had made her more restrained and cautious, but they had not erased that part of her nature.
Abner reminded her, "Try to