The Infernal lunged again.
This time Chloe let it come. She sidestepped, caught the wrist mid-swing, and used the momentum to slam the twin's shoulder into the bars. Metal rang, sharp and ugly, echoing off the stone walls. The Infernal screeched, a sound that wasn't human at all—something wet and broken and wrong. Spit flew. One of the other caged Infernals howled in response, agitated, clawing at the air like it could taste what was happening.
Chloe's jaw tightened when she looked at the clock. Twenty-five minutes remaining. Twenty-five minutes to evolve to level one. Twenty-five minutes before Lila became faster, stronger, smarter. Right now it was animal instinct. Animal instinct she could read.
But her hands were shaking, and her leg throbbed where Lila's claws had torn through flesh. Pain was a distraction. Pain was dangerous. She shoved it down, locked it behind her teeth.
