No no no no.
The room narrows to a single point. I’m already moving. My coffee mug crashes to the floor—porcelain and coffee splatter the walls, the floor.
“What do I do?”
“Get here. Now.”
My gaze flashes to Ovie.
“Go,” she says firmly. “We’re right behind you.”
“Elmore,” I say, grabbing the counter to steady myself. “Can you move me?”
“I’ve never moved anyone through a mirror.”
“We have to try.” Tears fill my eyes. “Please.”
Elmore swallows. For the first time since I’ve known him, he looks afraid. “Step closer.”
I do as he says.
"Mirrors don't obey the barrier," Elmore says quickly. "They're reflection magic—an older, separate system. The barrier recognizes physical crossing, but mirrors… they bypass it entirely. Different rules."
"That's why it's risky,” Ovie adds quietly.
Elmore nods. "If I miscalculate, you could end up scattered across the reflection plane. Lost between worlds."
"I don't care," I say. "Do it."
Elmore nods again, this time solemnly, like he’s about to step over a line that’s never been crossed.
The mirror shivers as I approach, the surface turning liquid-silver, rippling outward from Elmore’s palm.
Ovie grabs my wrist. “Chelsea.” I look at her. “If you go through that glass, you may not come back the same.”
“I’m already not the same,” I whisper.
Her grip tightens for a heartbeat—then releases. “Then choose it.”
I step forward. The mirror is cold when my fingers touch it. Colder than ice. It burns. For a split second I see my reflection—then I’m gone, swallowed by a mist.
“Now,” Elmore says.
The surface gives. It doesn’t shatter. It swallows. The world tilts violently. Sound stretches thin, like it’s being pulled through wire.
Then the kitchen disappears. And I’m falling through silver light.
As I do, I realize that maybe I can love Eryx and still be myself.
He made a terrible choice. He broke us.
But I'm choosing to fight for us anyway. Not because I'm weak.
Because I’m choosing.
Maybe we can’t fix what we broke. But I'm not letting him face Helena alone.
I'm not letting him die thinking I never forgave him.
