Summary

In Chapter 23, Ana explains to Lela why Malachi is so upset. When Takeshi failed to return from a patrol, they searched for him, but when they found him he bore the unmistakable scent of Mazikin so Malachi was forced to cut his friend and mentor’s throat to free his human soul. Now he is afraid the same thing will happen with Lela if she lets herself be captured by the Mazikin. Lela finds Malachi on the roof and tried to embrace him but he begs her not to, saying that if she touches him, he will be unable to let her go. Eventually he relents and they share their first kiss before Ana arrives to say that Sil has arrived at the nest so they must leave immediately.

In Chapter 24, Lela quickly gets captured and taken into the Mazikin nest, where she...