LILA’S POV
For a moment…
No one moved.
No one breathed.
The entire forest seemed to freeze under the weight of her presence.
My sister stood at the edge of the clearing like a nightmare made real red eyes glowing, shadows coiling around her body like living things. Behind her, the darkness shifted, dozens of figures stepping forward slowly, their forms half-seen, half-swallowed by shadow.
And then I felt it.
Not fear.
Not exactly.
Something worse.
Recognition.
Power calling to power.
My chest tightened as something deep inside me stirred something ancient, something that responded to her.
No.
I clenched my fists, forcing it down.
She is not me.
“Lila…” Nathan’s voice came from behind me, low, tense. “What… what is that?”
I swallowed, my throat dry.
“My sister,” I said.
T
