Chapter 14 · The Mirror's Lie

"Stop fighting, Mara. You're only making the bruising worse."

The Commander's voice was a smooth, terrifying hum right against her ear.

Mara slammed her shoulder back, trying to throw him off, but he had her pinned. Cold stone bit into her spine. His grip on her wrists was iron—locking her arms high above her head. The metal of his armor pressed into her chest, stealing her air.

"Get off me!" she spat. She twisted her head, glaring at the featureless silver mask. "Where is he? Where's Soren?"

"Soren." The Commander mused. It sounded like a joke. He leaned in, chest brushing hers, his body heat a sudden, violent contrast to the freezing wall. "Such a sentimental attachment. Tell me—do you even remember the day he disappeared? Or did that slip away in the last reset?"

Mara froze. Her heart hammered against her ribs like a trapped bird. "I remember. I remember everything."

"Liar." He whispered it. He shifted his weight, pressing his thigh hard between hers to anchor her. "You don't even remember the color of the dress your mother wore when she told you to run. You don't remember the promise you made to your brother in the cellar.