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Hand clasped over her chest, she carefully got to her feet and approached the center of the room. She examined the body. A boy, no older than Luka. His eyes were empty; a cauterized wound seared through his chest. An angered aura swirled around his small frame like a hurricane.

Lily found three additional bodies.

Nausea bubbled up her throat at the intensity of the sight and smell. She stumbled out of the doorway, nearly falling into an empty, hazy street. Examining one way, then the other, she noticed the wooden buildings were modest, unlike the towering structures of Reave. They stood comfortably apart with no need to crowd for space.

Where am—

Through the smoke, she spied the ethae. It lowered its head before slinking around a corner. She followed, running over trash covered cobblestone streets.

A screech buckled Lily’s knees. She stopped short before a bend.

Something fell to the ground. Hard enough to shake the earth under her feet. A static voice gave an order, and heavy footsteps dragged across stone. Pulse pounding, Lily inched along the wall in time with the noise until she hit the sharp corners of a market stand. Erratic breathing like that of a dying animal carried into the cross street.

Illuminated in the light of a lamppost, a thick hand made of shimmering black metal grasped at the wall, cracking it in a cloud of rubble.

Oily darkness twisted in and out of the hulking, nude figure as it dragged itself into view. The edges of its prosthetic limbs caught the dim light, glinting a rich silver. Beneath its patchwork of flesh and metal, a dull orange soul flickered violently, appearing and vanishing like a trapped fish in murky water.

The specter’s ragged breaths shifted into low mournful moans, teetering on the verge of a sob. Even crouched, it loomed massive, an oppressive presence that made Lily’s breath stop short. Then its head snapped toward her, revealing the hauntingly beautiful face of a woman. Her neck—a writhing tangle of mechanical tubing—quivered as a muffled scream burst from the respirator clamped over her mouth. Dark hair spilled across her face, hiding empty eyes that suddenly shot open.

Yet, she did not move closer. Somewhere down the street, a thunder of footsteps grew louder, heading in Lily’s direction.

She searched for a way out, frantic gaze landing on a broken window on the opposite side of the street. The specter stayed motionless, but those that commanded it approached quickly.

The ground shook again. The specter turned away, facing the sparks and fire of an explosion at the other end of the street.

Lily bolted.

She dove in the direction of the window. Behind her came an earsplitting ringing of gunshots, shouting, and screeching. Lily dared not slow. She kept her pace until the next thing she knew, she was inside another building—a shop front—gripping the banister on the landing between the first and second floor.

Nothing followed her in, but the cacophony from outside didn’t let up. Shadows of figures flashed and danced in the noise.

A hand clasped over her mouth.

Lily flailed for a brush of skin until a familiar, angry voice whispered in her ear.

“Stop.”

Maude.

She held Lily steady, not dropping her, even after she calmed down. The sounds outside drifted farther down the street. Maude slowly led her to the top of the stairs, across the room to a window beside a Rogian soldier. Lily strained to look out the closest pane.

“They took the bait, lieutenant,” the soldier said.

“Good. Get back up to the roof and signal them to get out of there.”

He nodded and sprang past Lily who was tossed to the ground like spoiled meat. She fell on her ass just as cold bone was drawn to her throat.

“You have five seconds to explain yourself.” Maude’s voice was a hushed hiss, her cerulean soul fierce behind her eyes. “Now.”

So I am in Markoth. And Maude—The knife bit harder into Lily’s neck. She thinks I’m a shapeshifting Stalker.

“Remember when you took me to the city center?” Lily swallowed in Maude’s stoicism. “It was so busy, but I didn’t want to leave before seeing the sunrise.” The pressure eased. “You didn’t tell Kyer where we went. You didn’t want to get in trouble, so you had to bribe me to go with—”

“Grapefruit,” Maude mumbled. “Grapefruit that cost me the last of my allowance.” She stood upright, sheathing the knife back in its place on her arm. “What are you doing here? That thing’s been tearing this place apart looking for you all day, and you nearly handed yourself over to it!”

Dirt coated Maude’s face. Her blond hair was pulled in a tight braid around her head. Another soldier, wearing a set of navy steel armor like Maude’s, looked toward Lily.

“I was… brought here,” Lily answered, carefully.