‘They thought they could use Nephilim technology to create a weapon,’ Nina went on. ‘Which they did – except it was used against them! The Nephilim escaped and came to find the rest of their people.’ She set off again, cautiously ascending a low rise. ‘They came in . . . a ship, I suppose. It’s over here.’

‘Just call it a UFO and be done with it, love,’ said her husband.

She gave him a mocking smile, then dropped low as she reached the crest. Eddie hunched down beside her.

The sand-shrouded vimana was a hundred metres away. Sandra gasped. ‘Oh my God. It really is! It’s a flying saucer!’

‘So where are Gadreel and his goon platoon?’ Eddie wondered, surveying the area. ‘They definitely got out, I can see a lot of tracks around the UFO . . .’ He trailed off.

Nina saw why. ‘Oh no.’

Between their position and the vimana was a darker patch in the sand. Flies swarmed over it, the ground thick with scavenging insects. ‘What is it?’ asked Sandra, confused.

‘It . . . it’s your missing ranger,’ Nina told her, grim-faced. ‘I’m sorry.’

‘What? I don’t understand. There’s no body, there’s no—’

‘There wouldn’t be,’ said Eddie. ‘The weapon that blew up the truck? It does the same thing to people. I’m sorry too, but . . . she’s dead.’

‘No, that can’t—’ The Australian regarded the bloody patch – then jumped up and ran towards it.

‘No, wait!’ Nina shouted after her. ‘They might still be there!’

But nobody emerged from the downed craft, no blasts of earth energy tore across the sand. Sandra reached the spot, holding a hand over her mouth and nose to shield them from insects – and block out the unmistakable stench of death. ‘Oh God,’ she whispered. Dried blood splattered the ground, shredded scraps of clothing amongst it. ‘Rosie . . .’

‘Wait there!’ Eddie shouted to Macy and Cheng – despite the warnings, they had started across the riverbed – before running after Sandra. He was fully prepared to tackle her into cover, but to his relief, the area remained devoid of threats. ‘This is why you need to close the park,’ he said on reaching the ranger, who was staring silently at the remains. ‘These arseholes are still here somewhere – and they’re dangerous. You’ve got to get everyone out.’

Sandra looked up at him, tears rolling down her cheeks. ‘There are hundreds of tourists here . . .’

‘There’ll be hundreds of corpses if you don’t do something.’

Nina joined them. ‘The Nephilim think we’re animals – pests. They won’t hesitate to kill anyone they meet.’

The Australian wiped her face. ‘Okay. Okay. I’ll close the park.’ She took a radio from her belt.

Eddie cautiously approached the grounded vimana. A hatch was open; he peered inside. ‘It’s empty,’ he reported. ‘A lot of footprints, though. The thing must have been packed.’ He saw a smaller set of prints. ‘Zan’s still with them.’