Chapter 122: Becoming the Hollow One

Bella stared at her own reflection, but it wasn't her.

Not anymore.

The thing that wore her face grinned, wide and grotesque, its blackened eyes endless pits of hunger.

"You were always meant for this," it whispered.

Bella's breath came in sharp, shallow gasps, her body trembling, her mind fracturing.

She couldn't move.

Couldn't breathe.

Because this wasn't a dream.

This was real.

The Hollow One had been patient.

It had waited.

And now?

Now it was inside her.

Creeping beneath her skin.

Twisting through her veins.

Tearing her apart piece by piece.

Bella stumbled backward, her pulse thundering, her golden eyes flickering—

For a split second, they turned black.

Her stomach twisted violently.

No.

No, no, no.

"Get out," she rasped.

The Hollow One tilted its head.

"I can't," it whispered.

"You let me in."

Bella's vision blurred, her head pounding, her entire body burning from the inside out.

She could feel it.

Shifting. Stretching. Becoming.

Her.

And the worst part?

It felt good.