Chapter 33 · The Harmony Kills

"Get away from them, Mira. Now." Silas caught her by the back of her coat and yanked her away from the nearest cot.

Her boots scraped across the stone. The child on the cot kept humming, small chest jerking with every note. Three more voices answered from the other side of the quarantine room.

"Let go of me." Mira drove an elbow into Silas's ribs.

He barely moved. His arm locked around her middle, holding her against the hard line of his chest while the humming climbed higher.

"You want to kill them?" he asked near her ear.

"I want to stop them from bursting." She twisted, trying to get her hand into her coat pocket. "Your guards took my kit. Give it back."

"Your kit is full of knives."

"That's why I need it."

The child nearest them opened his mouth wider. A thin black line showed beneath his tongue.

Mira stopped fighting.

"Silas." Her voice dropped. "Look."

His grip tightened for half a second. Then he shoved her behind him and drew the short blade at his hip.

"Nora!" he barked. "Get the door sealed. No one leaves."

Nora Finch slammed the iron latch down.