Chapter 108

“I dare say you wouldn’t know her by that name, it was the one I gave her. I don’t typically do that with my test subjects, but she was more special than the others.” The Hat Man pulled off what looked like driving gloves. “I’m sure she’s long deceased. What are you, four, five generations removed? I was under the impression your kind had gone extinct, which makes this an excellent—”

Mace shot over Eulalie’s shoulder, spinning wildly like a top. The moment before impact, the Hat Man raised a hand and caught the head of the mace in the palm of one hand. His arm jerked around as Mace tried to escape, but the man’s grip was too strong.

“Fascinating,” he declared. “I’ve heard rumors, but to see such a beautiful thing up close? This, too, was worth my time.”

“Let go of him.” Eulalie found her voice as her legs flexed. “He doesn’t belong to you.”

“Ownership is such a loose term these days,” the Hat Man declared as he gripped Mace in both hands. “I will be adding th