Alexei's mind ticked through the almost casual way Aerenyx had told them what they had missed while they were locked away.
Elias was gone. That much was clear. Whatever had replaced him had not just survived—it had taken over so completely that nothing that looked like Elias was still standing.
Sure, Aerenyx still wore his lab coat, boots, and pants, but none of Elias's stench of restraint.
The creature inside Elias had finally won.
Alexei had expected something like that could happen. The difference was he hadn't expected it to happen this fast, this cleanly…
And this close to Sera.
His creature snarled again. He is hers now because he thinks he can be. He will not be. Let me out. We will show him what ice does to plague.
Sera stepped closer to Alexei's cage.
Her eyes stayed on Aerenyx when she spoke, but Alexei heard every word directed at them too. "Open them."
Aerenyx didn't waste time.
