Chapter 28 · Mirror Match

"Put the gun down, Vera, or I tear both of them apart." Hector's voice rolled from the speakers above us.

The clone smiled with my old face.

I hated that smile before I even knew why.

Vera kept her pistol aimed between us. Her arm was steady, but her fingers had tightened around the grip. She stood close enough that I could feel the heat from her shoulder against my side.

"You heard him," the clone said. "He wants you to choose."

"I don't take orders from men hiding behind speakers," Vera snapped.

"You take orders when your sister's medicine stops arriving."

Her jaw locked.

That was all the answer Hector needed.

The clone moved first.

It crossed the room without a sound, fast enough to blur. I caught its wrist before it reached Vera. Bone knocked against bone. The impact shoved me backward, but I kept hold.

"Get away from her," I growled.

The clone looked at my hand around its wrist. Then it looked at me.

"You still do that," it said.

"Do what?"

"Pretend protection makes you human."

It twisted.

The motion was mine. Same angle. Same timing.