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“His mind wasn’t influenced due to some binding spell or enchantment. He gave it up himself,” she continued, monotonously.

Unable to handle her cruel words, Evan started chuckling humorlessly. “That's ridiculous. Aaron would never... He didn’t have a reason—”

“He wanted power. The kindyoupossess, the kind that would give him an upper hand over others, the one that would make him strong enough to protect what he cherishes. But a fire that intense needs fuel just as solid,” Rhea said. “In exchange for that power, he willingly gave up his humanity. His conscience.”

Evan shook his head, disbelief and shock rattling his system. “Who are you even talking about? Aaron wouldn't—”

“Don’t you understand?” Rhea’s voice rose a notch, and Evan flinched. “He is not the person you thought he was. Aaron is not your friend.”

That hit him like a blow to his guts, and Evan almost stumbled back. Delos was there, steadying him, his hand tracing soothing patterns on his back.

Evan paused, then glanced back at Delos, who gave him a small nod.

“Let’s go,” Rhea said, her voice firmer. “We need to find the kids.”

Evan ran his bloody fingers through his hair. Then he glanced down at his hand. The effects of the Thousand Knots should have dissipated by now.

He pressed his palms together, concentrating his spiritual energy into his hands. Sure enough, a blue light flickered to life, burning brighter as he focused.

With a steady exhale, Evan drew his hands apart, conjuring a long, jagged blade that hummed with spiritual light.

Elysia and Celie blinked. Looked at Evan. Then at each other.

“Wow,” Elysia leaned over to study the translucent blade that had materialized from thin air. Just to make sure it was real and not 3D projecting, she poked the blade. It was solid, like a thick slab of glass.

Celie cocked a brow, impressed.

“Good. It’s back,” Evan raised the blade with a small smile.

Then pointed it straight at Rhea.

Her stormy eyes widened, then narrowed in disapproval. “What is the meaning of this, Evan?”

He held the blade steady at her face. “Girls, behind me.”

For some reason, they didn’t even question his intention and quickly followed his order, standing behind him and peeking atthe figure at the end of the blade. Only after they were secured behind him did Evan move, pressing the blade against Rhea’s throat.

“Where are the others?”

Rhea looked at him like she’d already been stabbed. Her jaws clenched. “You think I—”

“Where. Are. They?” He enunciated each word by pressing the blade deeper against her throat.

“Evan…” Celie cautiously started. “What… What is happening?”

“Your mind is bewitched,” Rhea said, staring Evan dead in the eyes. “Are you really suspecting me? I was the one who led the kids here to you.”

“And that’s the problem,” Evan shook his head, bemused. “The Rhea I know would've never brought the kids to this wretched place. She'd have come alone—and trust me, shealwayscomes alone.”

His eyes swept over theRheastanding before him. There was no trace of malice or resentment on her, neither was there anything amiss in her appearance. Just a minor hiccup.

There was no heartbeat or breathing. Something Evan had failed to notice in his rush of relief and joy at seeing them.

But Evan had only noticed something was not right when Delos started drawingsoothing patternson his back. The patterns that vaguely resembled the words “fake” and “clone.” That was when Evan had started paying close attention toRhea.

“First of all, it’s strange thatRheawould bring anyone into this heavily haunted area without so much as giving them a talisman thread for protection,” Evan said. “And not only did she bring them here, but three of them disappeared from right under her nose?” Evan dug the blade into the clone’s neck, breaking the thin skin and drawing blood. “Rhea is a clairvoyant, with senses sharper than any predator in the wild.Nothingcan vanish underher notice. So, before I dissect your voice box out of this fake body, would you like to tell me who sent you?”

There was no way a clone had infiltrated Rhea’s shop and taken her place. It would make more sense that the person who’d pointed Celie and her friends towards the direction of Rhea’s shop had intentionally lured them into this clone’s nest.