Ethan staggered a few steps, one hand clamped over his chest, and looked from front to back.
On one side was mechanical Cindara—armor-plated, mechanical wings spread wide.
On the other…
Was the real Cindara.
Mechanical Cindara didn't press the attack.
She beat her wings and drifted to the original's side. Starting from her legs, her body softened and melted, turning into a puddle of flowing iron.
Silver-gray liquid crept up along Cindara's feet.
Legs. Waist. Chest. Arms—each part was wrapped and sealed by a mechanical layer in sequence. Finally, the molten metal flared out behind her and reformed into a broad pair of mechanical wings.
Two Cindaras became one.
Cindara rose slowly into the air.
Armor hugged her frame. Every joint made a faint metallic sound when she moved.
"You're pretty good," she said, looking down at Ethan.
"But only pretty good."
One Cindara had already been a nightmare.
Two—then merging into one?
Now it was going to be worse.
