Romance in a Carnival Mirror

A Transgender Paranormal Romantasy

From the Paranormal Visitor Universe

Chapter 3: Reflection of Truth

By Sasha Zarya Nexus

Both kindred spirits June and Goldie who found each other at the Carnival are hunted by the Shadowmaster.
Will June's sacrificial love overcome the Shadowmaster and save her friends?

Copyright 2025 by Sasha Zarya Nexus.
All Rights Reserved.

Author's Note:

This novelette, in it's entirety, is available on my Patreon. BCTS will get weekly postings on Tuesdays to complete it here. Patreon Free Members can read my new complete book by chapters, Things We Do for Love

June’s breath came in short, uneven gasps as she hurried away from the Hall of Mirrors, her mind spinning with the impossible image she’d just seen. She tried to tell herself it was just a trick-a clever illusion, nothing more-but the memory of that reflection lingered, bright and aching.

She kept her eyes down, weaving through the thinning crowd, desperate to find a quiet corner where she could collect herself. But everywhere she turned, she saw mirrors-on game booths, on the carousel, even in the glossy windows of food trucks. Each one caught her in a different light, distorting her face, her body, until she felt like she was unraveling.

She ducked behind a lemonade stand, pressing her back to the cool metal. Her hands shook as she wiped sweat from her brow. The moth brooch beneath her jacket felt heavier than ever, as if it were anchoring her to the spot.

What if that’s who I really am? The thought was a whisper, fragile and dangerous. What if I could be her?

A burst of laughter jolted her from her thoughts. She glanced up and saw a group of boys from school-Liam among them-tossing rings at a bottle game. June shrank back, heart hammering. Liam had been her best friend once, before everything got complicated, before she’d started pulling away. Now, he barely looked at her in the halls-except for the rare times he did, and his eyes seemed to burn with confusion and something like hurt.

She couldn’t let him see her now-not with her guard down, not after what she’d just seen.

As she edged away, her foot caught on something. She stumbled, knocking into a cardboard display stacked with glossy flyers. They scattered across the ground in a colorful, fluttering mess.

“Hey, watch it!” snapped the vendor, glaring at her over the counter.

“Sorry,” June mumbled, cheeks flaming. She dropped to her knees, frantically gathering the flyers. Her hands shook so badly she could barely grip the slick paper. Each flyer showed a cartoonish version of the Hall of Mirrors, with the words:

SEE YOUR TRUEST SELF! TONIGHT ONLY!

She stuffed the flyers back onto the display and scrambled to her feet, avoiding the vendor’s gaze. Her heart pounded in her ears as she darted away, desperate to disappear.

She found herself in a narrow alley between two tents, the noise of the carnival muffled and distant. June pressed her back to the canvas, closing her eyes. She tried to slow her breathing, to push away the swirl of shame and longing and fear.

But the image from the mirror wouldn’t leave her. It shimmered behind her eyelids, stubborn and bright.

What if it’s possible? she thought again, the hope sharp and painful. What if I could be her, even just for a night?

A sudden gust of wind rattled the tent, sending a shiver up her spine. June opened her eyes and looked down at the moth brooch, its wings catching the faint light.

She pressed her palm over it, drawing strength from its presence. For a moment, she let herself believe that the girl in the mirror was real-that she was real.

Then, footsteps echoed nearby. June straightened, pulling her jacket tight. She couldn’t stay hidden forever. Not tonight.

With a shaky breath, she stepped out of the alley and back into the carnival lights, the memory of her truest self burning in her chest.