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The sickness hit when Neferet's silhouette showed. It was obviously Neferet, the shadow had curves and wavy hair Erin could only describe as auburn, yet the image was as seductive as blood on a knife.
Zoey screamed, her brown hair flowing behind her as she called for the elements. When water left her, Erin was aware she was feeling again. But it wasn't a good feeling.
Neferet's apparition shrieks and ran at Erin. A bolt of terror runs through her as she flinches. Holy fuck, was it real? Did a fucking shadow have the power to harm her? Erin wasn't about to find out. She throws her hands before her, getting ready to call water when the apparition hit her. Her blood ran as cold as the sea on a stormy night.
"Holy shit. That was seriously gross," Aphrodite said.
Aphrodite. Who looked like Erin, but not.
Zoey opens her mouth to agree when a cough erupts from Erin, cold and wet. It happened so fast. She only saw Zoey's mouth snap shut and her brown eyes widen with fear when she looks at her next. Blood welled up in her eyes, making Zoey red, too. As soon as Erin tasted blood she fell to her knees. "Didn't think it would end like this," she rasped.
Aphrodite immediately sprung into action. "I'm getting Thanatos!" she called as she sprinted away.
Shaunee-- her Shaunee-- drops to knees beside her. "No! This can't be happening! Twin! Please. You'll be fine!"
Erin fell into her arms. She was vaguely aware of Daimen, Stevie Rae, and Zoey joining her. Erin was staring into warm, brown eyes. Were they always a caramel color?
"I'm so sorry," Shaunee sobbed. "I didn't mean anything bad that I said to you."
Erin could barely speak between coughs. Shaunee's voice kept fading in and out due to the blood rushing out her ears. Me neither, she thought, but instead said, "It's-- It's okay, Twin. It was my fault. I- I forgot how to feel."
"We're with you," Zoey said as a hand runs through her hair. "Sprit, calm her."
Spirit courses through her, easing the pain and allowing her to breathe again. She feels stronger with Zoey's spirit.
"Earth, soothe her," Stevie Rae said. She felt calmer with Stevie Rae's element.
"Air, envelope her," Daimen said. She felt safer with Daimen's affinity.
"Fire, warm her," Shaunee said. She feels loved with Shaunee's comfort.
Erin smiles and manages to touch Shaunee's face. "It already has warmed me. I- I don't feel cold and alone anymore. Don't feel anything except tired."
"Just rest," Shaunee said. "I'll stay with you while you sleep."
"We all will," Zoey says.
Erin smiled one more time at Shaunee, and then closed her eyes and died in her Twin's arms.
"Will I ever see her again, Goddess?"
"Yes, my child."