POV: Adrian
I was going to kill them both.
The thought circled in my head like a prayer as I sat in what used to be my art gallery. Empty walls. Broken glass. Everything gone.
One week. That's all it took for Lucian Ashcroft to destroy everything I'd built.
My investors vanished overnight. My reputation shattered when someone Ashcroft, had to be leaked proof that I'd sold forged paintings. The police were investigating. My accounts were frozen.
Even Vivienne abandoned me. Told me I was a sinking ship and she wouldn't go down with me.
All because of Celeste.
I'd had everything under control. Had her right where I wanted her broken, humiliated, with nothing. She was supposed to come crawling back to me, begging. Then I'd take that mirror her mother left her and sell it to the highest bidder in the supernatural black market.
Instead, she landed on her feet. Working for a billionaire. Living in luxury. Probably sleeping with him too.
The thought made rage burn through my veins.
She was mine. Everything she had was supposed to be mine.
My phone buzzed. Another threatening text from a loan shark I owed money to. I ignored it.
I pulled out the cheap burner phone I'd bought yesterday and scrolled through the photos I'd been taking.
Celeste leaving Ashcroft Tower at 6 PM every evening. Celeste getting coffee at the shop on Fifth Street. Celeste walking through the park during lunch.
She had a routine. Predictable.
That was her mistake.
I smiled and poured another drink. The whiskey burned going down, but I barely felt it anymore.
Tomorrow. I'd confront her tomorrow. Make her understand what she'd cost me.
And if Ashcroft tried to stop me? Well. I still had connections. Dark connections. People who could give me power that even a billionaire couldn't fight.
All I needed was one chance.
POV: Celeste
You need to leave. Now.
Lucian's voice was deadly calm as he faced the three glowing women in his office doorway.
The one in front the leader just smiled. She looked like she could've been my sister. Same dark hair. Same bone structure. But her eyes were cold.
We're not here to hurt anyone, Shadow Mage, she said. We're here for what belongs to us. Our sister.
I'm not your sister, I said, moving closer to Lucian. I don't even know you.
Not yet. But you will. She looked at me with something like pity. You're one of the last Mirror Keepers, Celeste. That makes you family. That makes you ours.
She's not going anywhere, Lucian said flatly.
The woman's smile faded. You don't get a choice. Neither does she. This is about destiny. About protecting what remains of our order.
Silver light began pooling in her palms. The other two women spread out, flanking us.
Lucian moved in front of me. Shadows rippled off him like smoke. His power rising to meet theirs.
Last chance, he said. Leave. Or I make you leave.
The woman laughed. You can't fight all three of
Lucian moved.
One second he was in front of me. The next, he was across the room, shadows exploding outward like a bomb.
The women scattered. Magic collided with magic. The office filled with silver light and black shadows.
Celeste, run! Lucian shouted.
But I couldn't move. Couldn't breathe. My power was waking up inside me, responding to theirs. Silver light crackled across my skin.
One of the women noticed. She's awakening faster than we thought. We need to take her now before she
I didn't let her finish.
Power exploded from me. Not controlled. Not aimed. Just raw energy that sent all three women flying backward.
The lights went out. Emergency alarms screamed.
When the smoke cleared, the women were gone.
They'll be back, Lucian said grimly. He was breathing hard, a cut bleeding on his cheek. We need to increase security. I want guards on you at all times.
Lucian
Not negotiable. He turned to me, eyes fierce. They know about you now. They'll come for you again. And next time, they might bring more.
I wanted to argue. But the fear in his eyes stopped me.
He was terrified. For me.
A week passed. Guards followed me everywhere. I couldn't even go to the bathroom without someone standing outside the door.
It was suffocating.
But Lucian refused to budge. Better alive and annoyed than dead and free, he said.
He was probably right. The Mirror Keeper women hadn't returned, but I felt them watching. Waiting.
Still, after seven days of constant supervision, I was losing my mind.
So when my guard called in sick one evening, and his replacement was running late, I made a decision.
I left work alone.
Just a quick walk to my car. Thirty seconds. What could happen?
I made it to the parking garage before I realized my mistake.
The lighting was dimmer than usual. Half the fluorescent bulbs were out. And it was too quiet.
My footsteps echoed on concrete.
Then I heard breathing.
Hello, Celeste.
Adrian stepped out from behind a pillar.
My blood turned to ice.
He looked terrible. Unshaven. Bloodshot eyes. His clothes were wrinkled and dirty. He reeked of alcohol.
Stay away from me, I said, backing up.
Why? So you can run to your billionaire? Adrian's voice was slurred but filled with venom. So he can protect you? Fight your battles?
Adrian, you need help. You need to
I need you to understand what you took from me! He lunged forward, grabbing my arm hard enough to bruise. Everything I had! Everything I built! Gone because you couldn't just stay broken!
Pain shot up my arm. Let go!
Not until you
A shadow moved behind Adrian.
Lucian appeared like he'd materialized from darkness itself. His hand closed around Adrian's wrist with crushing force.
Touch her again, Lucian said in a voice like death, and I'll destroy what's left of your pathetic life.
Adrian tried to pull free. Couldn't. Lucian's grip was iron.
With one smooth motion, Lucian yanked Adrian away from me and slammed him against a concrete pillar. The impact rattled Adrian's teeth.
Security appeared from nowhere four large men in black suits.
Get him out of here, Lucian ordered. His voice was colder than I'd ever heard it. And make sure he understands: if he comes within a hundred feet of Ms. Thorne again, the consequences will be severe.
The guards dragged Adrian away. He was still shouting threats, but nobody listened.
Then Lucian turned to me.
The cold mask vanished. His hands came up to my shoulders, gentle, checking me over.
Are you hurt? His voice shook slightly. Did he hurt you?
I shook my head, but I couldn't speak. Couldn't do anything but shake.
Come here. Lucian pulled me against his chest, his arms wrapping around me like a shield. I've got you. I won't let anyone hurt you.
I buried my face in his shirt and finally let myself feel it the fear, the adrenaline, the overwhelming relief that he'd been there.
How did you know? I whispered against his chest.
Your guard called me when he couldn't reach his replacement. I ran. His hand stroked my hair. I'll always run for you, Celeste. Always.
In that moment, pressed against his warmth, feeling his heart pound against mine, I realized something terrifying.
I was falling for him.
For the man who'd ruined my life to save it. For the man destined to die for me. For the man I was supposed to hate but couldn't.
Thank you, I whispered.
His arms tightened. Always.
We stood there for a long moment, just holding each other.
Then my phone buzzed.
I pulled it out with shaking hands.
Unknown number. A text message:
Your ex-boyfriend was just a distraction. While you were busy with him, we took something of yours. Check your apartment. The Mirror Keepers
My heart stopped.
No, I breathed.
What? Lucian looked at the message, then his face went pale. Your mirror.
We ran.
The elevator ride to the fortieth floor took forever. When the doors finally opened, I sprinted down the hall to my apartment.
The door was unlocked. Hanging open.
Inside, everything was destroyed. Furniture overturned. Drawers emptied. Papers scattered everywhere.
And on my bed, where I'd hidden my mother's mirror under the pillow
Nothing.
It was gone.
They took it, I whispered. They took my mother's mirror.
Lucian's phone buzzed. He looked at it, and his expression turned to stone.
What? I demanded. What is it?
He turned the phone so I could see.
A photo. My mirror, being held by the leader of the Mirror Keepers.
And beneath it, a message:
You want it back? Come get it. Twilight Markets. Midnight tonight. Come alone, or we destroy it and your mother's spirit trapped inside with it.
I stared at the words, not understanding. My mother's spirit?
Lucian's face was grim. The mirrors don't just show visions, Celeste. They hold souls. Everyone in your bloodline who ever looked into it their essence remains. Your mother, your grandmother, generations of Mirror Keepers. All trapped in that glass.
That's impossible.
It's the truth. He looked at me. And if they destroy it, you'll lose them forever. Every memory. Every connection. Gone.
I couldn't breathe. We have to get it back.
Not alone. They want to separate us. It's a trap.
I don't care! My voice cracked. That's all I have left of my mother! I won't let them destroy her!
Lucian stared at me for a long moment.
Then he nodded. Then we go together. And we end this tonight.