Chapter 27 · When the Marks Lock

The marks on Marcus's arms were crawling.

Evira could see them through his shredded sleeves—black lines twisting under his skin like they were trying to dig their way out. He was on his knees in the middle of the wrecked lab, one hand braced on the floor, the other clamped around his forearm so hard his knuckles had gone white.

"Marcus." She dropped down next to him. "What's happening?"

"Vivian." His voice came out strangled. "She locked the marks. Remote trigger. I should've—"

He didn't finish. His whole body jerked, back arching, and Evira grabbed his shoulders before he could slam into the nearest console. The marks were glowing now, pulsing with that same sick greenish light she'd seen in the rift cores.

"What does that mean?" She was already pulling his sleeve up, trying to get a better look. "Locked how?"

"Means she's got control." Marcus forced the words out through gritted teeth. "Means she can use me to open rifts. Or blow me apart trying. Whichever comes first."

Evira's stomach dropped. "So we break the lock."

"Can't. Not without—" He sucked in a breath, and the marks flared brighter. "Not without someone who can override the bind.