The Glass Rival

I pushed past the cracked front door into the apartment hallway. Claws clicked on smooth timber. Ahead, against the baseboard, stood another beast. Broad shoulders. Spiked crown. Jagged jaws parted. I halted. Stiffened my neck. Paused. The intruder did not flinch. I lunged forward, ramming full weight to break its stance. Clack. My blunt snout struck a flat, icy sheet of glass. The rival's snout pressed flush against mine. Cold. Unyielding. I backed up one pace. Raised my heavy foreclaw. The beast lifted its claw at the exact same instant. No breath. No scent. Only a reflection trapped in a heavy wooden frame. Two guards hold this hall now.