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Cleo adjusted her grip on Hunter, and he grunted as she squeezed his ribs. “Sorry. I’m not sure which bits are injured.”

“Only about eighty-five percent of me is messed up. I’m good, don’t worry about me. I’m already healing.”

“I’m always going to worry about you. It’s what a woman does for her alien.”

“I’m your alien now?” Hunter’s wicked grin sent a spike of desire running through her.

“You’d better believe you are. And get used to it, because I’m going to tell everyone we’re together.”

“I’m looking forward to that,” he said.

“Then let’s get out of here and make that happen.” Cleo was done hiding her feelings. She’d almost lost Hunter, and she was never letting go of him again.

He stifled a groan as he slipped and landed heavily on one knee.

“How much father have we got to go?” Cleo said to Ash, who was ahead of them.

“Another few minutes, and we’ll be out,” Ash said. “Georgia is checking the exit is clear. Do you want me to take over the heavy lifting?”

“No, you’re good. Just keep an eye out for any Siblet.”

“There’s no one up ahead.” Georgia appeared from the gloom and stopped behind Ash, her weapon out and her gaze fixed on the corridor.

It took Cleo a minute to get Hunter back on his feet, and he swayed from side-to-side, his eyes rolling in his head. “Hey! Think of all the fun we’ll have once we’re out of here. Don’t give up on me now.”

He reached up and stroked her cheek. “I’ll never give up on you.”

“We need to keep moving,” Ash said.

“I’m moving,” Hunter said. “This whole place is moving. Everything is tilting.”

They staggered on, but worry bloomed in Cleo’s chest as Hunter continued to lean on her, and his breathing became painfully labored. Despite the energy transfer from Ash, he was fading.

The next hundred steps seemed to take forever, but suddenly there was a gust of air up ahead and a change in the light.

“Not far now,” Ash said.

Cleo gritted out through her teeth, sweating as she heaved Hunter along.

“Something stinks up ahead,” Georgia said. “It smells like the drains have gone bad.”

“Slow down,” Hunter mumbled. “That could mean—”

Ash was tossed back against the wall. His weapon flew from his hand as he hit the rock.

“It’s another camouflage beast!” Cleo pulled Hunter closer to her as her gaze shot around, panic welling up in her throat. Where the hell was it? Which direction would it attack from?

Georgia raced over and stood beside Ash, who was already back on his feet, his weapon back in his hand.

“Listen out for growls,” Hunter said. “If it’s the same as the thing that attacked me, there’ll be clues to when it’s about to attack.”

Georgia crouched low, her weapon out, while Ash towered over her, his purple eyes blazing with fury. A trickle of blood ran down the side of his face.

He spun and then reared back. “There’s something close.”

“It could have a tail. It’ll be dragging it. Listen for that,” Hunter said.

“We need to get out of here. You’re in no condition to fight.” Cleo squashed her rising panic. She had to stay calm and figure out how to get past this thing.