Karma’s smooth skin blanched. “I can’t. This is only a small stronghold. They’ve taken more women and children than you can imagine, and I don’t know where they are. I have to find out before leaving.” She looked at the toddler in Grace’s arms. “I memorized your number from the card you gave me. I’ll call you.” A red rash washed up from her chest to cover her neck.

Benny drew back his arm as if shocked. “Ow.” An identical rash covered his hand. “You’re mated.”

“Yes,” Karma said, scratching beneath her chin. “Go. You have to go now. Reinforcements are only a few minutes away. Dayne called them in before leaving in the helicopter. Run.” She pushed Benny toward the stairs.

Grace stumbled but moved. “What about you? They’ll know you let us out.”

“Don’t worry about me.” She dodged in front of Benny, agile despite her long skirt. “Let me check if the hallway is clear upstairs.” She ran, her footsteps silent, leading the way.

Benny followed her, almost on her heels, the rash spreading up his arm and around the back of his neck where the burned hair still hung.

“Doggie,” the little girl whispered.

“We’ll find a doggie. I promise,” Grace whispered. “Shhh for now. We have to be quiet.” What would she do if the girl started screaming? They couldn’t give away their position. Not that the noise of the firefight going on outside didn’t drown out all other sounds.

They reached the top of the stairs and Karma leaned out. A monstrously large Cyst soldier yanked her up and tossed her against the other wall. She yelled as she hit hard, dropping with a thud.

Benny leaped out and tackled the Cyst, head in gut, sending them both crashing down the hallway.

Another soldier, this one Kurjan, raced in from the open front door, gun up and already firing. Grace dropped into a slide toward Karma, who was sitting up, her lip bleeding. “Here. Hold her.” Grace handed the girl over, turned, and stuck her leg out just as the Kurjan went by to attack Benny.

His arms windmilled and he tripped, falling on his stomach.

Sucking in air, panicking, Grace lunged forward and grabbed his gun, then stood and backed up. Her hands shook so badly, she could barely hold the gun.

The soldier flipped around and stood, well over six feet, his fangs sharp and his eyes a bright purple.

Oh, God. Grace glanced to the side to make sure Karma had the little girl tucked against her neck, her face hidden. Then she turned, and before the Kurjan could attack, she squeezed the trigger several times. Green lasers shot out and turned to metal the second before they impacted his face.

He came for her, his head down and his face bleeding.