Stepping forward, I angle myself over the ridge, leaning so the bronze guard over my shins is parallel to the ground. Before I overthink, I push off, skidding down the ridge on my left side. Loose rocks scrape at my boot. All at once, my leg muscle gives out, and I lose my form, crashing down onto my side. The gravel slices into my skin like teeth, but I push up with a gloved hand and keep stumbling and running over the remaining rocks. I grit my teeth tightly—I refuse to be the reason the humans spot us.

I reach the train and touch the side, thrown off by the overwhelming smell of metal. The others join me a few moments later, and Seth tells Callen and Ox to pull open the door while he and I push it from the other side. We give it a few tries, but it doesn’t budge.

“Next one,” Seth says, breathing heavily. “Quickly.”

We move to the next car, this one identical to the first. The humans mingle on the other side of the train. A group of them hurries down toward the front car that’s spewing smoke. I reach back for my knives. If a human sees us, I’ll have to kill him before he has the thought to sound an alarm.

The ghastly whistle rings out once more. Ox and Callen put both their hands on the sliding door of the car and pull, while Seth and I shove it at the same time.

“Come on, come on,” Seth mutters. I glance over my shoulder, keenly aware of how exposed we are. One good shot, and a bullet would take any of us out.

Then, finally, the door slides freely.

“Rowan, go,” my commander says hurriedly. With a jump, I push myself up and onto the car’s floor just as he puts his hand on my back, guiding me forward. I scramble up, knee scraping against the rough, unfinished floor. The flavor of the air around me changes—grains and leather, piss and the overwhelming scent of humans. Bile rises in my stomach at the smell, but I force it back as I scoot out of the way so Ox can climb in, too. The train lurches, and the wheels start to turn.

“We’re moving,” I say, just as Ox curses loudly. “Hurry!” I shout, reaching my hand for Callen.

He jumps, and I pull back with my full weight. His body lands heavily on top of mine, and heat comes unbidden to my face. Callen realizes it, too, and rolls off.

“Sorry,” he says.

“It’s fine!” I reply awkwardly, avoiding his eyes as much as he is avoiding mine. Meanwhile, Ox has taken my place at the door, leaning out to reach for Seth. Our commander leaps in just as the train really picks up speed. With a shove, Ox slams the door shut.