Chapter 10 · Two Brides, One Knife

"Which one of you is real?"

Varen's question hung in the air like a blade. He stood between us and the sealed throne room door, three guards flanking him, all with crossbows up.

I didn't look at the other Seraph. Couldn't. If I did, Kael would see the recognition. Would know I'd been expecting this.

"Commander." Varen didn't lower his weapon. "Step away from the impostor."

"Which one?" Kael's voice was flat. He hadn't moved from where he stood, one hand still on my wrist from when he'd pulled me up. His grip was light. Too light. Like he was already deciding whether to let go.

The other Seraph laughed. It sounded like me. Exactly like me. Same pitch, same bitter edge I got when I was cornered.

"This is cute," she said. "But I'm bleeding all over your nice floor, so maybe speed this up?"

She was still on her knees by the throne. Blood soaked through her dress—my dress, the one I'd worn in loop fourteen when I'd tried to seduce Kael into giving me the vault codes.