Aiden nods and they swarm for the door all at once, knocking into each other as they all try to squeeze through. I trail behind, still feeling like I’m doing something wrong—like I need to go back to him. I hear a rustle behind me. I glance up and see two sets boots, moving lightly down the stairs. Instinctively, like my hands are not my own, I rip the grenade from Cedrix’s hand, throw it, and wait for the silver smoke to fill and pollute the air. But the smoke never comes. The boots do, though, stampeding closer and closer.

“You idiot,” Ryder hisses at me. “You didn’t pull the tab.”

Aiden and Ryder exchange a glance and then they all start to run for their lives, but I’ve seen how fast the Day Takers are, at least Sylas, and I know that we’re all in trouble. I slink under the stair way as they reach the bottom, holding my breath, waiting.

“Nice try with the silver grenade and everything,” one says with a sharp snap of his fang. “But next time you might want to make sure it works.”

I search for a weapon and spot a pipe by my foot. I pick it up, knowing I’m not as strong as I once was, but I have to try. I jump out from behind the stairwell and smack the pipe hard into the back of the one’s head. He screams, but doesn’t fall. He turns around and my heart stutters.

“Bernard?”

His moppy hair hangs in his eyes and he wears the same condescending smile as the last time I saw him. “Kayla, pleasure seeing you again.” Then he lunges for me.

I smack him in the face with the pipe and his jaw cracks, but he pops it back in place. I try again, but he knocks the pipe away.

“Sucks doesn’t it,” he says. “Bet you were wishing you’d taken the medicine.”

I swing the pipe for his face again, but he hits it away and lunges for me, falling on top of me as we ram to the ground. My head cracks and smoke sputters the room. Five seconds later, his heavy, unconscious body is pinning me to the ground.

Aiden throws him off with a grunt and helps me to my feet. “No more playing hero until you get used to being human, okay?”

I nod and they all pile out the door. But I pause, looking at Bernard, wondering if this is the right choice.  Aiden slips his hand into mine and nods his head. “We need to go.”

I nod and we sprint after them, bursting out the front door of the building. I’m relieved to see that darkness hasn’t settled over the city yet. At least they have that going for them.