CHAPTER NINETY-TWO
The black lake remained eerily calm as the fake spare platform vanished beneath its surface. The young guardian stood on the shore, rifle retrieved from the shallows, barrel now pressed firmly against her own chest. Tears streamed down her face, but her hands were steady.
Elena lunged forward. “No!”
The girl looked at her with broken eyes. “There was never a sister. Only me. I was trained to break so you would choose the legacy. If I die here, the test ends. The valley stays yours.”
Victoria’s voice cut through the speakers, amused. “Touching. But unnecessary. The legacy doesn’t need martyrs.”
Before Elena could close the distance, the guardian’s finger tightened.
A single shot rang out.
The girl crumpled to the ground.
Silence fell for one heartbeat.
Then the r
