"Where is the freak baby, anyway?" Sabrina asked.
"In his room pouting," Granny Relda said. "He's not at all happy about his current growth spurt."
"Is he sick?" Daphne asked.
"No, he's growing up," Granny said.
"And if you think he's a pain now, wait until he starts getting pimples," Uncle Jake said.
Prince Charming also attended the party, indulging in Granny's German Chocolate Cake. There was music, laughter, and happiness, which had been in short supply as of late. It seemed as if their recent troubles with taxes, Mayor Heart, and
Nottingham would soon be distant memories.
There was a knock at the door. "Who can that be?" Granny said.
"That's Sabrina's birthday present," Charming said. Sabrina was surprised. "You got me a birthday present?"
"Go answer the door," he said.
A million ideas raced through her mind. What could the prince have gotten her? She threw open the door and was a little startled to find a strange woman standing on the porch. She was thin with brown hair and a pale complexion. Her lips were full and her eyes green. She wore a little black dress, pearls, and high-heeled shoes, and she oozed sophistication. Sabrina knew only one person that was more beautiful than this woman and that was Snow White.
"Are you Sabrina Grimm?" she asked.
Sabrina nodded.
"My name is Bunny Lancaster," she said. "William sent me."
"OK," Sabrina said, a little dopey. "Are you my present?" The woman cocked an eyebrow. "I'm not sure what you mean, dear."
Charming appeared at the door. "Bunny, thank you for coming. Please come in." The woman entered and the family gathered around her. "Mrs. Grimm, this is Bunny Lancaster," Charming said.
"I know who she is," the old woman said coolly. Sabrina had never seen her grandmother react that way to anyone. Where was the smile? Where was the sweet hello?
"Are you an Everafter?" Daphne asked, rushing to shake the woman's hand. She had her own palm prepped and ready to bite.
Bunny nodded.
"Which one?" Daphne asked, barely able to contain her excitement.
Bunny shifted uncomfortably. "In some circles I have the rather unfortunate title of the Wicked Queen."
Daphne went for the bite but then stopped. "You mean the one that tried to kill Snow White?"
"I didn't try to kill her," Bunny said softly.
"Well, Mr. Charming. Thank you for the birthday present, but you shouldn't have. Really, you shouldn't have," Sabrina said.
"I know this is uncomfortable, but Bunny is here to help you," Charming said.
"Help me?"
"Take me to your mirror," the Wicked Queen replied. "Uh, I'm not sure what you mean," Granny stammered. "Mrs. Grimm, I am fully aware that you possess a magic mirror," the woman said impatiently. "I also know that Snow voluntarily gave it to your family nearly a hundred years ago. I would like to see it."
Granny glanced at Charming, who nodded as if to say Bunny could be trusted. Then she took out the set of keys from her handbag and led the group upstairs. She unlocked the door to the mirror's room, and everyone stepped inside. When the door closed, the roaring began.
"WHO DARES INVADE MY SANCTUARY!" Mirror's violent face filled the reflection.
"Control yourself," the Wicked Queen said.
"Bunny? Is that you?" Mirror asked.
There was a raw silence between the two. They shared an angry and uncomfortable look.
"What a pleasant surprise," Mirror said, forcing a smile to his face.
The Wicked Queen stepped forward. "Mirror, Mirror can you tell, how to break the sleeping spell?"
"Right down to business, Bunny? Very well, a kiss is all it takes," Mirror said.
"That's not what I asked, servant," the woman said sternly. Sabrina bristled at the way the woman was talking to her friend. Mirror shifted, obviously taken aback by the queen's rude tone.
"Bunny, I--"
"Mirror, are you arguing with me?"
"No, I'm--"
"I asked you a question."
"And I answered it," Mirror said.
"No, you did not! Any fool knows a romantic kiss will break a sleeping spell. Do you think I don't know it? I invented this spell. I also know that there is always a back door. What is the back door?"
"I'm not sure what you mean?"
The Wicked Queen's right hand began to glow red. Its intensity was blinding and heat came off it like the fireballs the dragon had shot at them the night before. "Mrs. Grimm, your mirror is defective. Allow me to fix it for you."
"Wait, what are you planning on doing?" Sabrina shouted.
"The repairs will not harm the contents, but this sorry excuse for a guardian is damaged. I take great pride in my work, and I should have fixed it a long time ago."
"Bunny, don't do anything you'll regret!" Mirror said.
"You pompous, ridiculous little joke," the Wicked Queen said as she placed her red hand on the surface of the mirror. "It's not like I'm going to kill you. You don't exist. You are a creation, a puppet, a shadow of a person. Your job is to serve your master, and you are failing. When a question is asked you are to answer it clearly and thoroughly. You need to be repaired."