Chapter 99: When Love Becomes a Weapon
Blood pooled beneath Elara as the fake Kael turned his ice blade deeper into her chest. "Does it hurt, omega?" he asked with Kael’s face but a stranger’s cruel voice.
"Good. You deserve every bit of pain." The real Kael roared with rage, launching himself at his double.
Their ice powers clashed in an explosion of frozen pieces that cut through the air like glass. "Get away from her!" Kael screamed, making a massive ice hammer. His evil twin laughed, dodging easily.
"She’s dying because of you, brother. Your weakness made this possible." Ronan and Darian were fighting their own fights.
Evil Ronan’s fires burned black instead of orange, leaving scorch marks on everything they touched. Evil Darian’s truth skills had turned into lies, making the real Darian stumble and doubt his own senses.
"We’re stronger than the originals," Evil Ronan mocked, his dark fire forming a whip. "We don’t have their pathetic emotions holding us back."
Elara tried to pull the ice knife from her chest, but her hands were too weak. Each breath brought more blood to her lips. The pain was intense, but something else hurt worse. Watching her friends fight wearing the faces she loved.
"This is what happens when you trust people," a soft voice said beside her. Elara’s head turned, and her heart shattered totally.
Her father stood there, looking exactly as he had the day he died. Same kind smile, same warm brown eyes, same protecting stance.
But this version felt different from the dog illusion. More real. More painful. "Dad?" she whispered. "Hello, sweetheart," he said sadly. "I’ve been waiting to talk to you."
"You’re not real either," Elara said, but her voice broke. "You’re another test." "Does it matter?" her father asked, kneeling beside her.