Chapter 6 The Twin's Shadow

• Unknown POV
• In the depths of the Shadowlands, where no sunlight had touched the ground for a thousand years, she watched.
• The crystal orb floating before her showed everything. Her sister's face twisted in pain as fangs erupted from her gums. The way she attacked the witch king with desperate hunger. The tears that fell when she learned about their parents.
• "Pathetic," she whispered, her own silver eyes glowing in the darkness. "Still so weak, dear sister."
• "Are you displeased with her progress, my child?"
• The voice came from the shadows behind her, ancient and cold as winter death. She didn't turn around. She never turned around when he spoke. Looking at the Kanima Master directly was a mistake she'd made only once, twenty years ago. The scars on her back still burned when she remembered.
• "No, Master," she replied carefully. "Lyra is awakening exactly as you predicted."
• "Good. And the witch king? Does he suspect?"
• A cruel smile curved her lips. "Jason believes he's saving her. He has no idea he's playing right into our hands."
• The Master's laughter was like glass breaking. "Excellent. You have done well, Seraphina."
• Seraphina. Even her name was a mockery. 'Burning one' in the old tongue. The Master had named her after the first time her powers manifested, when she'd accidentally set fire to half of the shadow realm in her rage.
• She'd been three years old.
• "Tell me again about that night," the Master commanded, settling into his throne carved from the bones of ancient dragons. "The night you were separated from your precious twin."
• Seraphina's hands clenched into fists. She'd told this story a thousand times, but the Master never tired of hearing it. Never tired of reminding her of what she'd lost.
• "Mother was dying," she began, her voice flat. "The werewolf pack had found our hiding place. She could only save one of us."
• "And who did she choose?"
• The question was a knife twisting in her chest. "Lyra. She chose Lyra."
• "Why?"
• "Because Lyra was born first. Because she was stronger. Because my mother loved her more." Each word tasted like poison.
• "No," the Master said softly. "Because Isabella Nightshade was a fool who believed in fairy tales. She thought sending Lyra to the werewolves would give her a 'normal' life. A 'happy' childhood."
• Seraphina finally turned to face him. The Kanima Master sat in shadows so deep they seemed solid, but she could see his eyes burning like red stars in the darkness. His face was beautiful in the way a blade was beautiful, sharp, perfect, and utterly deadly.
• "While I," she said bitterly, "got to grow up here. In the dark. With the monsters."
• "You have to grow up strong," he corrected. "While your sister played with puppies and picked flowers, you learned the true nature of power. Which of you is really the fortunate one?"
• Seraphina looked back at the crystal orb. Lyra was crying now, her face pressed against Jason's chest while the old witch woman explained their parents' love story. So naive. So trusting.
• So disgusting.
• "She's weak," Seraphina said. "Even with her powers awakening, she's still that frightened little girl hiding in the werewolf den."
• "For now. But power has a way of changing people. Soon she'll discover what she's truly capable of." The Master leaned forward. "Are the Kanimas ready for the next phase?"
• "Yes, Master. They await your command."
• "Good. It's time to test her resolve. Send them to attack the witch kingdom. Make sure she sees children in danger. That should push her powers further."
• Seraphina nodded, already reaching out with her mind to contact the shadow beasts. It was so easy now, after twenty years of practice. The Kanimas were extensions of her will, her rage given form.
• "And the werewolf Alpha?" she asked. "Donovan is already tracking her. Should we eliminate him?"
• "No. Let him come. His presence will only make things more... complicated for dear Lyra." The Master's smile was cold enough to freeze blood. "Nothing strengthens power like emotional turmoil."
• The crystal orb shifted, showing Donovan and his warriors making camp just outside witch territory. Even from this distance, Seraphina could see the pain in his eyes, the way the severed mate bond was eating at him.
• "He really loves her," she observed with disgust.
• "Love is weakness. You know this."
• "Yes, Master." But even as she said it, something twisted in her chest. A feeling she'd thought beaten out of her years ago.
• Envy.
• Lyra had love. Lyra had people who cared about her, who would risk everything to save her. What did Seraphina have?
• Power. Fear. Obedience.
• And the constant, aching knowledge that she was the unwanted twin. The one left behind.
• "I've been thinking," she said carefully, "perhaps it's time I met my sister face to face."
• The Master went very still. "Oh? And why would you want to do that?"
• "To test her myself. To see if she's truly worthy of the destiny you have planned." Seraphina turned back to the orb, watching Lyra's tear-stained face. "Besides, doesn't she deserve to know she's not alone in the world?"
• "You want to reveal yourself to her."
• It wasn't a question. The Master could read her thoughts as easily as breathing.
• "She'll need to know eventually," Seraphina said. "When the final ritual comes, when we reshape the world according to your will, she'll need to choose. Stand with us, or die with the rest."
• "And you believe she'll choose us? Choose you?"
• The question hung in the air like a blade. Seraphina stared at her sister's face in the crystal, memorizing every detail. They looked identical except for their eyes, Lyra's silver orbs held warmth, hope, naivety. Seraphina's held only cold fire.
• "She'll choose survival," Seraphina said finally. "Just like I did."
• "You didn't choose, child. You were chosen. There's a difference."
• The Master rose from his throne, shadows swirling around him like living smoke. "But very well. It is time the twins were reunited. Time for Lyra to see what she could have been, what she still might become."
• "When?" Seraphina asked, excitement building in her chest.
• "Soon. Let her powers stabilize first. Let her grow comfortable with her new life among the witches." His red eyes burned brighter. "And then, my dear weapon, you will remind her that blood calls to blood. That family is the strongest bond of all."
• Seraphina smiled, and shadows danced around her like eager pets. For twenty years she'd watched from the darkness, orchestrating attacks, manipulating events, preparing for this moment.
• Finally, she would meet the sister who'd stolen her birthright. The twin who'd gotten everything while she got nothing.
• Lyra thought she knew suffering? Thought she understood pain?
• She was about to learn how wrong she was.
• "Don't worry, sister," Seraphina whispered to the crystal orb, her reflection merging with Lyra's face for just a moment. "We'll be together soon. And then you'll understand exactly what I've sacrificed for both of us."
• The orb went dark, but Seraphina's smile remained bright as a blade in the endless shadow.
• The reunion was going to be so much fun.