The mirror suddenly cracked violently.
Not a faint tremble this time but a sharp, splintering sound that tore through the room.
Vivian screamed. Her body slammed against the glass from the other side, blood streaking down as the surface fractured beneath her hand.
"Lord Auren—!" she cried. "Let it go—now!"
Her voice broke, raw with pain.
"If you keep holding it…" she gasped, shaking her head frantically, "you'll be dragged in with me!"
Auren staggered, teeth clenched, wings trembling as the pressure yanked at him through the mirror.
"I can still—" he tried.
"No!" Vivian shouted. "You can't win against this—let go!"
"Damn it!| Lucian swore sharply. "Auren," he snapped, frost flaring instinctively before he forced it down. "Release it. Now."
Auren hesitated, jaw tight, then slammed his hand against the floor again, this time to break the connection.
The chains of light shattered. The backlash hit immediately.
