Aetherion Academia #1: Shadows of Rebirth
My reflection stared back - purple eyes, pale skin, exhaustion of someone fighting too many fronts too long.
"Austin told me."
"We need more than serums." Emberlyn looked up. Eyes too wide, whites showing. "If he weaves a trap into your mask, the moment you put it on - click - Silvie will be suppressed. Caged. You'll be defenseless. You'll be the you of before, Mira. The you that couldn't fight back."
I looked at my reflection. At the ancient thing looking back through my eyes.
I picked up the blank white porcelain mask from the vanity. Smooth. Featureless. A canvas inviting projection, begging to be filled with someone else's interpretation.