Chapter 27 · Echoes With Teeth

The second Rowan smiled at me with my mother's face reflected in her eyes.

Not literally. Mom stood three feet away, shaking in Jessa's grip, while the thing behind the cracked tank glass looked exactly like the woman who had almost strangled me.

Same silver hair. Same narrow jaw. Same bare feet on the wet lab floor.

Same number glowing under her left ear.

17.

Rowan moved in front of me so fast her shoulder slammed into my chest.

"Don't look at it," she said.

Her voice came out rough. Almost a growl.

I grabbed the back of her shirt before she could launch herself through the broken glass. "You first. Don't do anything stupid."

"It is wearing my face."

"Yeah. I noticed."

The copy tilted her head.

That tiny motion hit harder than it should have. Rowan did that when she was confused. Or pretending not to be confused because she hated giving anybody the satisfaction.

The copy's smile widened.

"Commander," she said.

Rowan went still.

Jessa raised her pistol. Blood had soaked through the sleeve wrapped around her left arm, but her hand stayed steady. "Nia, tell me that's not another one of her.