The aliens shrilled to each other, and I closed my own eyes, absorbing the sounds. On Sanctuary, I’d briefly understood bits and pieces of their language, and I’d read it on the ship, at least to a certain degree. If I managed the same thing here . . .

As always, the alien language was impossible to translate, because they didn’t speak the way humans did. I got the sense it was only a little bit like a conversation, and also a bit like animals communicating through tone and inflection. Still, I got a sliver here and there. I bit into my tongue, tasting blood and using the pain to refocus, to draw myself further into the alien voices.

At last they quieted. My eyes flew open in time to see a long, slithering tail lash around the corner, and I released a shaky breath. “They’re going to the command center,” I whispered, glancing to Cage. “At least, I think they are. They’re searching for something, or someone. I’m not sure what.” I scowled in frustration. “Sorry. I’m not much help.”

“That’s help,” Rune said firmly.

Cage nodded his agreement. “At least we know where they’re headed. Let’s get into Grigori’s apartment and—”

Another scream shattered the air, this one human. We hesitated for a split second before we broke into a run. No matter who it was, we couldn’t leave them to the aliens.

We’d only gone a few steps before I realized Liam wasn’t behind us. I spun. “Come on!”

He scowled and shook his head. “You three do what you want. I’m not going anywhere.”

I hesitated, but we didn’t have time to argue. “Give me your gun!” I snapped. “Coward!”

He shrugged and tossed it to me. “It’s not going to do much good against those things.”

I ignored his comment and snagged it out of midair. My hands trembled around the weapon as I steadied it. This was not a stun gun. It wasn’t a pistol like the one I’d fired at Matt, but if I missed with this, whoever I hit wouldn’t get up again. I’d demanded it without thinking and now I almost tossed it aside. The memory of that tail stopped me. I wouldn’t shoot, not unless I had a clear shot, not unless I had to. But I also wouldn’t be defenseless against those things.

We raced around the corner and found two aliens flanking Bian and Priya, both bounty hunters with their weapons drawn, not seeming to know what to target. Bian bled heavily from claw marks in her arm, and her weapon kept drooping even as Priya barked orders.

Cage swung into action, blasting across the room in a flash of silver and black. He skidded to a halt on the other side of the corridor, poised with his arm stretched behind him, his blade glinting with the fluid from the alien’s body.

The alien, its head now separated from its torso, crashed into the floor with a thud. Its body thrashed a moment longer before going still.