Of course, when we reach the doorway, we find a staircase that leads into the darkness below.
Because why wouldn’t we go into a crumbling church’s basement?
That’s strike two for a horror movie setup.
The basement is more of an ancient catacomb. The air is damp and stale, and moisture seeps through cracks in the stones that line the walls.
I can’t stop myself from wondering – if there are vampire-looking shifters, are there zombies too?
I’d very much prefer to find out from a book.
My rational (panicked) thoughts are cut short when the woman starts opening door after door along the far wall.
I’m pretty sure they house skeletons. She’s turned away from us, but every few seconds she lets out a frustrated-sounding exhale.
Sin and I stay still, soundlessly agreeing to see what she does next. A few seconds later, she opens one of the small doors and mutters ‘finally,’ before reaching inside and pulling out a bright, blue crystal. Her smile is triumphant when she turns back toward us.
Three things happen, all at once. Sin and I become visible, his tattoos pulse, causing glowing red ropes to wrap around her, and finally, my jaw drops.
Something inside of me lurches, and I let out a puff of air.
Are doppelgangers a thing? Because this feels like looking at my own reflection.
But no, she isn’t my exact match. Her face is more heart-shaped, and she has more freckles. Her eyes are a light hazel, and she also has fangs – that helps a lot with the distinction between us.
Sin’s eyes narrow as he also takes in the similarities. Suspicion thickens in the air.
My not-quite-doppelganger struggles against her bindings until she looks up and her eyes meet mine. Something like recognition flashes across her features, and she immediately calms.
Even without any obvious tells, I can see through her façade. It’s almost as easy as reading my own habits. All she did was shove away her fear and anger.
Shaking myself from the initial shock, I take a step toward her, Sin following closely behind.
Ignoring our similarities, I decide to get right to the point. This woman is a Harvester and is probablyworking for Need. Without meaning to call on the power, silver threads surge, resting just below my skin.
Totally not concerning.
“Where have you and the other Harvesters been taking the spirits?” I keep my voice hard.
The woman raises an unimpressed brow. “I’m not a Harvester.”
I wait a beat for her to expand, but she stays silent. Also, I’m ninety-nine percent sure she’s judging me.
“Then what are you doing with a soul crystal?” I finally press, mimicking her unimpressed look.
She rolls her eyes. “I’m here to break it. I’ve been doing it for years.” Tilting her chin at Sin, she adds, “Go ahead, check that I’m telling the truth.”
Her tone is challenging, and it’s met with another slight pulse from Sin’s tattoos.
“She’s telling the truth,” he admits, pulling back his power to release the woman.
“Then why did the old woman–” I start, but I’m cut short when Sin’s power seeps into cracks in the stone floor beneath us, rather than pulling back into him.
“Fuck,” he exclaims, and the red energy disappears. “Something’s wrong. I can’t access my power at all.”
My eyes widen, and before I even have a chance to consider the ramifications, I reach for my other energy, ready to use their volatile combination to defend us.
“Don’t!” Sin snaps, and fear sharpens his voice. “It might take your power too.”
