Aria's POV
"My mother was deceived." Her voice trembled. "The vampires told her they could raise the dead. They promised her they could bring me back."
She lowered her eyes. "They lied. They never had that power."
I remained silent.
"But my mother has refused to let me go." Pain flickered across her face. "She knows another way to resurrect me. She spent years searching for it before eventually finding it."
My stomach twisted.
"In order to resurrect me, she needed a suitable vessel."
Understanding struck me. "And that vessel is me."
She nodded. "Yes."
I took a step back. "I won't let her take me." My voice hardened. "I'll fight her."
"That's exactly what I want you to do, Aria." Her words caught me off guard. "I don't want to live by taking someone else's body."
I stared at her.
