The woods fell silent.Even the wind held its breath as the figure stepped into the open, barefoot, draped in a gown that shimmered like fog and blood. Her hair Aria’s hair moved as if underwater. Her posture, her gait, the shape of her lips, it was all **Aria**. But the eyes…Kael froze.Where once there had been fire, compassion, fury now there was only void. No recognition. No memory. No **soul**.Behind him, Rowan whimpered softly. Elara gripped his hand, her gaze fixed on the figure who bore their mother’s face.“That’s not her,” Elara whispered.“I know,” Rowan said.Callen, standing beside Kael, tilted his head. “She looks like Aria… but wrong. Like someone drew her from memory and got the eyes all wrong.”Kael took a step forward, claws unsheathing from instinct. “Who are you?”The woman tilted her head in perfect imitation of Aria’s mannerism.Then she smiled. Not with joy **with mimicry.**“I am the breath that came after her scream,” she said. Her voice was layered, silky a
Last Updated : 2025-06-17 Read more