“Yeah, got it. Whatever. I’m ordering you to stand down now. All of you need to go back to your rooms.”

“You are a fool, Stricken.”

Heather had to agree with the test-tube monster on that one.

“You do not yet comprehend what you have unleashed upon your world. I am Kurst. That is the title placed upon me by the World Maker when I led the Son of the Morning’s armies into battle in the war before time began. I am Kurst, who stood at the left hand of Lucifer. I am Kurst, who was cast into Hell for my rebellion, where I dwelled until you provided me with this body. I am Kurst, who will grind your bones into dust and reign with fire and blood over your pathetic mortal world. I am Kurst, and my war has never ended.”

Stricken let go of the intercom button. “Well . . . shit . . .”

Heather looked around at the others. They all seemed as perplexed by that as she was. Things had just taken a turn for the weird.

“I would deal with you myself, but Franks has arrived earlier than expected. Farewell, Stricken. I leave you to my brethren.”

“Kurst is leaving. Two others are staying,” Renfroe shouted. “They’re trying the door.”

“It’s going to be okay,” one of the guards tried to assure everyone. “This place was built to survive nuclear war. Without breaching charges or a cutting torch they’re not going to do—”

WHAM. A fist-sized bulge appeared in the thick metal. Someone screamed. WHAM. Another fist struck. Welds broke. Incredibly strong blows kept landing. The hatch groaned in protest as the metal deformed.

“They’re not supposed to be that strong,” Stricken muttered.

Heather didn’t want to stick around to find out what happened once they punched through the hatch. “About that escape tunnel . . .”

“There’s one of them camped at the other end of it,” Renfroe warned.

“That beats two of them in here,” Heather snapped.

Stricken walked to the side, opened a hidden panel, and pushed a few buttons. There was a loud click and a seam appeared in the wall. Stricken swung the secret door open to reveal a narrow concrete shaft leading up into the darkness. Ladder rungs were sunk into the sides. “Time to go, people. After you, Kerkonen.”

* * *