Another look at the Nephilim. His face was now changing colour as long-static blood warmed and pulsed through his arteries. His natural skin tone was unlike any of humanity’s many variations, though, with a distinct blue cast resembling pale marble. ‘What’s his heart rate now?’

‘Rising, but below normal,’ Hui replied. ‘Though we do not know what is normal for him.’

‘Just the fact that it’s beating at all after longer than the whole of recorded human history is amazing in its own right,’ Nina noted. ‘How about his body temperature?’

‘Close to human normal,’ the scientist replied.

The being’s chest remained motionless. ‘Is he breathing?’

‘There is no way to tell.’ Hui’s tone was a little accusatory. ‘Your breath is affecting the carbon dioxide readings.’

‘Have to check the old-fashioned way, then.’ She retrieved the mask and held the glass eyepieces below the Nephilim’s nose. No sign of misting. ‘Nothing. He’ll have to start soon, though.’ She leaned closer, seeing a faint pulse beneath one eye. ‘Blood flow without fresh oxygen is going to cause him some major problems in—’

The eye snapped open.

Nina stared at it, frozen in surprise – and before she could react the towering man grabbed her by the throat.

Chapter 25

25

Macy’s scream was audible even through the isolation chamber’s thick glass. Nina tried to pull back, but the huge hand clamped crushingly tight around her neck.

The Nephilim drew in a deep, gasping lungful of air, then exhaled, his first breath in untold millennia. Another gasp, then he swung his legs from the sarcophagus and stood – hauling Nina off her feet. She fought to break his grip, but his tendons were like steel.

Frenzied activity outside the transparent wall, Colonel Wu shouting orders and the soldiers scrambling to respond as the scientists backed away in shock. Only Eddie held his position, pushing Macy behind him and yelling his wife’s name as he pounded helplessly on the armoured barrier.

She couldn’t hear his voice – but instead heard another, in a tongue not spoken since the dawn of humanity. The Nephilim shouted something at those on the other side of the glass. Both confusion and anger were clear in the unknown words. His voice was powerful, deep, with a strange echo from the depths of his broad chest.

The chamber’s door opened. Several soldiers burst in. Major Wu followed, barking orders. The Nephilim whirled to face them.

Nina was still trapped in his grip. She clawed at her captor’s unyielding fingers – then changed targets, kicking at his exposed genitals.

The Nephilim was surprised by the attack, but twisted just quickly enough to take the blow on his upper thigh. He grunted, then glared at her, teeth bared. His grip tightened still further. Nina let out a silent cry as darkness swallowed her vision—