The voice called her name again.
"Elira..."
Soft.
Familiar.
Wrong.
Every hair on her arms rose.
The darkness beyond the camp seemed to shift between the trees, twisting beneath the moonlight like something alive.
Elira's heart slammed against her ribs.
The voice sounded like her.
Not similar.
Not close.
Exactly like her.
As though another version of herself stood hidden among the shadows.
Around her, soldiers tightened their grip on weapons. Torches flickered violently in the cold night air.
The forest felt too quiet.
Too still.
Like a predator holding its breath.
"Elira."
This time the voice came from farther left.
A few soldiers immediately turned toward it.
The Oracle stepped forward.
"Do not answer."
Her voice cracked through the camp like a whip.
The soldiers fr
