POV: Celeste
The black car was waiting exactly where Iris said it would be.
I stood on the curb at 8:29 AM, clutching my purse like a lifeline. My heart hammered against my ribs. Every instinct screamed at me to run.
But run where? Back to my apartment that I'd lose in three days? Back to the streets where nobody would hire me?
The driver stepped out a man in a perfect black suit who didn't smile or speak. He just opened the back door and waited.
I got in.
The car was nicer than anything I'd ever seen. Leather seats. Tinted windows. It smelled expensive.
We drove through the city in silence. I watched buildings blur past, getting taller and shinier as we headed downtown. My stomach twisted tighter with every block.
Then I saw it.
Obsidian Tower.
It rose above every other building like a black knife cutting into the sky. Fifty floors of dark glass that seemed to swallow light instead of reflecting it.
Oh god, I whispered.
The car pulled into an underground garage. Security guards were everywhere serious men with earpieces who watched our car like hawks.
The driver opened my door. This way, Ms. Thorne.
I followed him to a private elevator. The walls were polished black marble. Our reflections stared back at us, warped and strange.
The elevator shot upward so fast my stomach dropped. Numbers climbed on the display: 10... 20... 30... 40...
It didn't stop until 50.
The doors opened.
I stepped into a hallway that made me feel tiny and poor. Everything was black and white and perfect. Marble floors. Glass walls. Even the air felt expensive.
A woman was waiting for me.
She was beautiful late twenties, Asian, with perfect posture and sharp eyes that missed nothing. Her suit probably cost more than my entire wardrobe used to.
Ms. Thorne. Her voice was the same calm, professional tone from the phone. I'm Iris Zhang. Welcome to Ashcroft Enterprises.
Thank you, I managed. My voice sounded small.
Mr. Ashcroft is expecting you. Iris started walking, and I hurried to keep up. A few things before you meet him. Don't stare. Don't ask personal questions. Answer directly when he speaks to you.
My heart was racing. Is he... difficult?
Iris glanced at me. Something flickered in her eyes sympathy? Warning? He's... particular. But fair. Do your job well, and you'll be fine.
We stopped in front of massive double doors. Dark wood, no windows. I couldn't see what was on the other side.
Ready? Iris asked.
No. Not even a little bit.
Yes, I lied.
Iris knocked once, then pushed the doors open.
The office was enormous. Floor to ceiling windows showed the entire city spread out below like a toy model. Everything was black and white and clean lines. No clutter. No personal touches. It felt more like a museum than a workspace.
And in the center of it all, behind a massive desk, stood a man.
He had his back to us, looking out at the city. Tall. Broad shoulders. Dark hair.
Mr. Ashcroft, Iris said. Ms. Thorne has arrived.
He turned around.
Time stopped.
It was him.
The man from the mirror. The exact same face I'd seen in that vision strong jaw, high cheekbones, dark hair swept back from his forehead.
And those eyes.
Storm gray eyes that locked onto mine with an intensity that stole my breath.
The folder Iris had given me in the hallway slipped from my hands. Papers scattered across the floor.
I My voice broke. I know you.
Lucian Ashcroft's expression didn't change. But something flickered deep in those gray eyes. Recognition? Surprise?
Do you? His voice was exactly like I remembered from the vision. Deep. Controlled. It sent shivers down my spine. Interesting. Because I know you too.
The room tilted. I grabbed the edge of a chair to stay standing.
This couldn't be real. It couldn't be.
But it was. The man from the mirror the man destined to die saving me was standing right in front of me. Alive. Real. Looking at me like he'd been waiting his whole life for this moment.
Ms. Thorne appears overwhelmed, Iris said quietly. Should I
Leave us. Lucian's eyes never left mine. Close the doors.
Sir
Now.
Iris hesitated, then bowed slightly and left. The doors clicked shut behind her.
We were alone.
Lucian moved closer, each step deliberate and measured. He bent down and picked up the scattered papers, his movements graceful despite his size.
You look like you've seen a ghost, he said, handing me the folder.
I have. The words came out before I could stop them. In a mirror. Two days ago. I saw you die.
His hand froze. For just a second, the controlled mask cracked. What did you say?
You threw yourself in front of a knife. To save me. My voice was shaking. There was blood. You were dying. And you said my name.
Lucian stared at me. Really stared, like he was trying to see into my soul.
Then he walked to his desk, opened a drawer, and pulled out something wrapped in black cloth.
My breath caught.
He unwrapped it slowly.
A mirror. Ornate silver frame. Covered in the same symbols as mine.
Five years ago, Lucian said quietly, I looked into this mirror. And I saw you.
The world spun.
That's impossible, I whispered.
Is it? He set the mirror on his desk. You just told me you saw me die. How is what I'm saying any more impossible than that?
He was right. Nothing made sense anymore.
What did you see? I asked. In your vision?
Lucian's jaw tightened. You. Standing in a room full of people. Someone attacked you from behind. I tried to stop it. He paused. I failed. You died in my arms.
My knees went weak. I died?
Every time I looked in the mirror, the vision changed slightly. Different locations. Different weapons. But always the same ending. His eyes burned into mine. You died. And I couldn't save you.
But in my vision, you died. Saving me.
I know. He moved closer. Too close. I could feel the heat radiating off him. Which means the mirrors are showing us possibilities. Different futures based on different choices.
That's crazy.
Is it? You're here, aren't you? In my office. Just like fate wanted. Lucian reached out slowly, like I might run, and touched my cheek. His hand was warm. Real. I've been searching for you for five years, Celeste. I saw your face in that mirror, and I knew I had to find you. Had to protect you.
From what?
From whatever future wants to kill you. His thumb brushed my cheekbone. The touch sent electricity through my whole body. And now you're here. Finally. Which means the danger is close.
How do you know?
Because fate doesn't bring soulmates together unless there's a reason. His voice dropped lower. The mirrors showed us each other for a purpose. And that purpose is coming.
A chill ran down my spine. What purpose?
To choose, Lucian said. Do we let fate control us? Let the visions come true? Or do we fight back and rewrite our destiny?
How?
He smiled. It was small and sad and somehow dangerous. Together. That's why you're here. That's why I orchestrated everything to bring you to me.
My blood turned cold. What did you just say?
Lucian's expression didn't change. Your gallery. Your fiancé. Your debt. I arranged all of it.
You I couldn't breathe. You destroyed my life?
I saved it. His hand was still on my face. Adrian Cortez was planning to kill you, Celeste. Not right away. But eventually. For your mirror. I had to separate you from him completely. Had to make you desperate enough to come to me.
I shoved his hand away. You manipulated me!
I protected you.
By ruining everything I had?
By making sure you'd still be alive to hate me for it! His control cracked. Real emotion broke through angerb, fear, desperation. I saw you die! Over and over! In every vision, Adrian was there! I couldn't risk it!
So you became just as bad as him! Tears burned my eyes. You're a monster!
Yes, Lucian said quietly. I am. But I'm a monster who will keep you breathing. And that's all that matters.
I backed toward the door. My whole body was shaking. I'm leaving.
No. You're not.
You can't keep me here!
Actually, I can. He pressed a button on his desk. The doors locked with a heavy click. You signed a contract when you accepted this job. Read the fine print. You work for me now, Celeste. You live where I say. You go where I say. Until the danger passes.
That's kidnapping!
That's employment. His eyes were cold now. Ruthless. And it's the only way I can guarantee you'll live long enough to hate me.
I stared at him this man who looked like salvation but acted like a nightmare.
Why? My voice broke. Why go this far?
Lucian's mask cracked again. Just for a second, I saw past the control to something raw and desperate underneath.
Because, he said softly, you're mine. The mirror showed me your face five years ago, and I've been yours ever since. I don't care if you hate me. I don't care if you never forgive me. All I care about is keeping you alive.
Before I could respond, an alarm blared through the building.
Lucian's phone buzzed. He looked at it, and his face went pale.
What? I demanded. What is it?
He looked up at me, and for the first time, I saw real fear in his eyes.
Adrian Cortez just entered the building, Lucian said. And he's armed.