Chapter 26 · The Breeding Floor

Felix pointed past Serah, his face white. "Mom's not the only one in there."

Evira turned just as the nearest glass tank split from top to bottom.

Something inside slammed against it. Once. Twice. A hand pressed flat against the glass, five fingers stretched too long, nails scraping down the wet surface. The hunter trapped in the tank opened his mouth, but no sound came out. Clear fluid poured between his lips instead.

Marcus grabbed Evira by the back of her coat and yanked her away.

The glass burst.

He shoved her behind a metal support as shards sprayed across the floor. A body hit the tiles hard enough to crack them. The man inside the tank rolled onto his side, choking and clawing at his throat. Black veins crawled up both sides of his neck.

"Don't touch him," Marcus said.

"He needs help."

"I said don't touch him."

"And I heard you."

Evira stepped around the support anyway.

Marcus caught her wrist. His grip was tight, but not tight enough to stop her. She drove her elbow into his ribs.