C33 The Path Beyond the Mirror

The shard glowed faintly in Evelyne’s palm, warm as breath, sharp as memory. It pulsed in rhythm with her heart—no longer merely a remnant of the old pact, but an invitation. Lucien watched her carefully. “Where does it lead?” Evelyne didn’t answer at first. She turned slowly, eyes scanning the platform, now dim and silent where the mirror had once stood. But the air had changed