Baba Yaga’s house arrived in the town square as planned, and as predicted, word spread fast. The Hand raced to confront it, shelling it with rocks, sticks, clubs, and magic. Sabrina and her family cheered as they watched through the mirrors. They saw Baba Yaga and the Wicked Queen sweep away dozens with the magical assaults, they saw Robin Hood’s men rain arrows down from atop buildings, they saw the Pied Piper and Beauty lull beasties away from the fight and watched Goldi command her bears to stomp through approaching villains. Even Puck transformed into an African elephant and used his pearly tusks to swat aside anyone foolish enough to charge him. For a brief moment it appeared that Arthur and Robin’s plan was going to work, but then a flood of red-handprinted Everafters swept into Main Street like a deadly tsunami, destroying everything in its path. There were too many trolls and goblins and ghouls. There were too many knights and princes and witches. There must have been nearly three thousand members of Mirror’s army, and when her own feeble forces attacked, they were quickly overrun. Within minutes Sabrina’s entire army had scattered with members of the Hand chasing them down.
And people died. Sir Kay was struck with a hammer wielded by an enormous piglike creature wearing studded armor. Mallobarb was brought down by an arrow. Tik-Tok was chased through the streets until his key unwound. He fell over and a mob stomped and smashed him until there was nothing left but springs and sprockets.
Veronica took Daphne, Basil, Red, and Wendell out of the room. Mr. Canis stood trembling as he watched the nightmare unfold. He placed a reassuring hand on Sabrina’s shoulder as if to tell her it wasn’t her fault, but she shook it off. This was her fault.
“I should prepare the infirmary for injuries,” Nurse Sprat said, then shuffled out of the room. Gepetto offered his help and followed her through the door. Henry gave Sabrina a hug and told her he should probably help as well. Even Mr. Canis drifted away. That left Sabrina alone with her uncle Jake and Pinocchio.
“They intimidated you,” Pinocchio said. “They knew you were unsure of what to do, and they took advantage of you. You can’t let them steamroll you again.”
“Again?” Sabrina said. “There won’t be an ‘again.’ You saw what happened. We can’t win this.”
“Maybe not, but I’ll tell you one thing,” the little boy said on his way to the door. “You’re not going to do it marching into town.”
Sabrina turned to her uncle. “Any advice?”
“I wish I had some for you, ’Brina. This was a disaster, and I think we can forget about any more new recruits now. I have to find another way to get—” Uncle Jake stopped himself.
“What are you trying to do?” Sabrina asked, suspicious of Jake’s sudden silence.
Uncle Jake shook his head. “I’m just tired. I should go help prepare.”
When he was gone, Sabrina watched the chaos for a while longer. In the crowd she saw Chicken Little talking with a troll. She could have spit. He was a traitor. He must have warned the Hand about the attack.
The images of town in the mirrors dissolved and the guardians within reappeared. They watched her with pitying eyes, even the more unfriendly ones.
“Why?”
The mirrors lifted their eyes to her. “Excuse me?” the fish-faced guardian gurgled. His name was Namoren, and the inside of his mirror was an undersea kingdom.
“Why am I the only one who can lead this army?” she asked.
“It’s impossible to explain,” Namoren said.
“There are so many variables,” Donovan said.
“Did you know this would happen?” Sabrina said. “Did you know people would die?”
“Child, you are trying to save the world. Of course some will die,” Titan said.
Sabrina fell to her knees and sobbed. “Why didn’t you tell me?”
“Oh, Sabrina, we’re sorry, but that is forbidden,” Harry said from within his Hotel of Wonders. “We can only tell you the future, not how you get there.”
Sabrina leaped up and lunged at Harry. “You have to tell me what to do!” The guardian disappeared.
She ran to Namoren and shook his frame. “You have to give me something to work with!”
She pounded on Arden’s frame. “People are dying. What do I do?”