The battlefield fell silent.
Velicia’s eyes widened. Mom?! Hold on…
Cray staggered back a step. Cole froze, mid-breath. Carl’s brows furrowed deeply.
Even the hybrid… paused.
Its chest rose and fell with something resembling breath. And when it tilted its head to Leah’s voice, it's gaze twitched like there was someone beneath the monster’s skin.
Leah stared in horror, hands covering her mouth now, teeth chattering uncontrollably.
She didn’t know she realized it was her mother. There was this connection between the two of them, and that look in her eye that gave it away. This monster was her mother…
“No,” Harris whispered, stepping forward from the edge of the crowd. His face paled beneath his weathered skin. “It can’t be…”
His voice cracked. “Isabelle?”
The creature didn’t move.
