The mirror cracked.
It wasn't a loud shatter or a dramatic burst—it was the kind of break that echoed deep in Ethan's bones. A hairline fracture had formed from where Noel last touched the glass, like a scar that had finally risen to the surface. The mirror pulsed faintly in the dim light of Ethan's room, humming with a strange, broken magic.
Ethan stood frozen, unable to blink, breathe, or speak. He hadn't touched the mirror in days, not since their last conversation where Noel had whispered, "If I cross this time… I may not come back."
But something changed.
Across the glass, Noel was no longer alone. Behind him stood Seren, his twin—the boy with Ethan's eyes and none of his kindness. Seren watched Ethan with a calm, unreadable smile, one that chilled Ethan from the inside out.
"What did you do?" Ethan whispered, pressing a hand to the crack.
Noel didn't speak at first. His shoulders were tense, posture too still, like he was bracing for impact. "I tried to hold the seal," he said. "But it's unraveling. The mirror's no longer just a window—it's becoming a door."
Ethan's heart pounded. "That wasn't the plan."
"The mirror doesn't care about our plans."
Behind Noel, Seren's voice slithered through. "Doors are made to be opened. You should be thanking me, Ethan."
"I should be—what?"
"You wanted him in your world, didn't you?" Seren stepped forward. "You wanted Noel in your arms. A kiss. A heartbeat. Something more than glass."
Ethan's stomach churned.
Seren continued, his tone venom-soft, "The crack means he can come through. But he won't come alone."
Noel turned then—really turned—and his eyes burned gold in the mirror light. "Ethan, listen to me. When the mirror opens, don't come near it. If I cross through, I'll leave Reverie behind. But if it pulls you in… there's no telling who you'll become."
The glass between them buzzed. A pulse of silver light leaked from the edges, and Ethan stumbled backward. The energy was wild, unstable.
From behind him, Nimra's voice called faintly from the hallway. "Ethan? Are you okay?"
He couldn't answer. He was trembling, half in fear, half in longing.
He looked back at Noel.
"I don't care," Ethan said, voice raw. "If you're going to break the rules, then break them. I'd rather be cursed with you than live clean without you."
Noel's expression crumbled just slightly.
The mirror howled.
Suddenly the crack split further down the middle—and the silver light flashed blindingly bright.
Ethan barely had time to throw an arm up before everything around him dissolved into mirrorlight.
And just before he passed out, he felt a hand—not his own—wrap tightly around his wrist.
Noel's voice, barely audible through the chaos:
"I'm coming through."