Chapter 25 · Wasn't Planning To

"Wasn't planning to."

The breach wasn't in the wall anymore.

It split the space between Ronan and me—a black, jagged mouth right through my ribs. Water and moonlight churned inside it.

The false Ronan reached for the opening.

I caught his wrist.

His skin was wrong. Too smooth. Too cold. Nothing moved beneath it. No pulse. No heat. Just an empty shell wearing the man I knew.

"You wanted me to trust you," I said. "So answer one question."

His eyes dropped to my hand.

"What was the first name you gave me?"

His smile vanished.

The real Ronan shoved himself up on one elbow. Blood streaked down one side of his face.

"Mara, get away from him."

"Answer me."

The false one tugged against my grip. "You already know it."

"Say it."

"Veyra."

"No."

His face twitched.

Ronan's stare cut to him. "The real me gave you that name. You only stole it."

The false Ronan bared his teeth. "You don't know what you are."

"I know exactly what I am."

"You're a door."

The gate pulsed through my chest. Pain flashed from my ribs to my fingertips.

I tightened my grip.