Chapter 16 · Untitled Chapter

"You're not Elise."

The woman wearing my face took one more step toward me. Kieran's wrist jerked in my grip, and the bond dragged him hard against my side.

Same eyes. Same mouth. Same scar near the left eyebrow.

Her smile was the only thing that gave her away. Too smooth. Too careful. Like she'd practiced it until it looked human.

"No," she said. She used my voice so perfectly that my stomach turned. "But I wore her for a while. Long enough to learn what she wanted. Long enough to learn what you want."

"Get out of her face."

"You don't get to order me around."

"Try me."

Kieran's pulse fluttered beneath my fingers. Weak. Uneven. I tightened my grip, and the bond pulled taut between us.

It felt different now. Heavier. Darker. Rust coated my tongue, followed by the cold taste of old stone.

The woman glanced at our joined hands. "You changed it."

"What are you?" I asked.

She didn't answer. Her attention slid past me to the Door.

It towered over the empty space, black and seamless, its surface humming against my ribs.