Talon shifted instantly and slammed into it.
Claws and teeth crashed together in a vicious blur.
I set Rowan down and signed,Hide. Stay. Do not come out.
She actually listened, rushing back into the science lab.
I sprinted to help Talon.
But movement flashed down the hall.
More Teeth. Six more eyes. A low hiss.
A second wraith rounded the corner.
“Another one!” Ryker yelled, firing.
Cade charged.
Ryker flanked.
They drove it back step by step down the hall.
“Light it up!” Cade barked.
They unloaded.
Black blood splattered the walls.
The wraith crumpled, convulsed, and dropped still.
Dead.
I turned back to Talon.
He had the first one nearly pinned, but it snapped at his throat.
I grabbed its shoulders, forcing it down.
Talon tore out its throat.
Blood splattered.
Dead.
“Two fucking wraiths?” Ryker said, wiping black blood splatter from his uniform. “Didn’t know they played nice.”
“They don’t,” Cade said, nudging one corpse with his rifle. “Look how thin they are.”
Talon shifted back, covered in gore. “They're starving,” he agreed. “I can taste it.”
“Crane,” I grunted, turning toward the science lab.
Something dropped from the ceiling.
Soft. Fast.
A long black tail curled around the door frame before sliding inside.
