The girl in the pod was an exact copy of Aria—same dark lashes, same scar over the brow, same heartbeat rhythm.
Kael hovered near the glass. "She's not like you."
Aria stepped forward, entranced. Her breath fogged the pod's surface.
"How can you be sure?" she whispered.
A mechanical hiss startled them.
The pod's vitals flickered. A-22's eyes snapped open—silver and emotionless.
Kael dragged Aria back as robotic limbs extended from the ceiling.
"Containment breach detected," a monotone voice droned.
Xander cursed. "She's waking up."
The clone twitched once… then moved faster than any of them could react.
She tore the restraints like paper and stood upright, staring at Aria.
"You took my life," she said. "Now, I'm taking yours."