Carlota, Montgomery, and Lupe try to move Doctor Moreau, but his condition is too fragile, and they fear he will die. They remain at Yaxaktun, and Lizalde arrives a few days later. Carlota explains that her father is seriously ill. Lizalde wants to take the hybrids since he considers them to be his property, and he is very angry when he learns they have already left the estate. The confrontation escalates, and Lizalde’s men begin beating Montgomery. Carlota pleads to be allowed to speak with Eduardo alone.

Carlota asks Eduardo to persuade his father not to go after the hybrids: “I will not demand marriage, nor Yaxaktun as a gift, nor the slightest show of affection. But I would hope that we might part amicably” (254). To Carlota’s surprise, Eduardo asserts that he still desires her. However, he goes on to explain that he wants to make her his mistress and keep her on an isolated estate. He also intends to use the hybrids as laborers, even if Carlota becomes his mistress. Carlota refuses this plan, and the sounds of their argument bring Eduardo’s father back.

Hernando Lizalde threatens both Carlota and Montgomery at gunpoint, trying to get them to reveal what they know about where the hybrids went.