The object did not leave Lucian's possession for long.
Julian had barely lowered it after the man's departure before Lucian stepped forward and took it from his hand. The motion was controlled, not abrupt, but there was no mistaking the intent behind it. Whatever that thing was, it did not remain with Julian without Lucian understanding it first.
The surface of the mirror remained still.
Lucian held it at an angle, studying it without immediately looking into it. The material caught no light, absorbing it in a way that made the edges difficult to define. It did not behave like glass, and it did not feel like anything designed for ordinary use.
"What did you see?" Lucian asked.
Julian did not answer immediately.
"A delay," he said after a moment. "Not distortion. It moved behind me."
Lucian's gaze flicked up briefly, then returned to the mirror.
He raised it to eye level.
Nothing happened.
