The magical explosion sped toward them like a tidal wave of destruction. Aria's spirit wolf form blazed brighter, forming a shield of pure moonlight around everyone in the room.
The dark power crashed against her barrier and shattered. But the effort made her stumble, her huge paws scraping against the broken floor.
"Aria!" Elena scrambled to her feet, real fear replacing the manufactured hatred in her eyes.
Through the chaos, something incredible was happening. The moment Mara died, her hold on Elena's mind started unraveling like a broken spider web.
Memories flooded back.
Elena pressed her hands against her temples, crying out as two different versions of the same day fought in her head.
Fake memory: Aria's hands pushing her underwater, holding her down while she fought to breathe.
Real memory: Aria's scared face as Elena slipped on the muddy bank and fell into the dark lake.
"No," Elena whispered, shaking her head fiercely. "That's not... I remember...
