Mark was up to his elbows in soapy water, attacking a pile of dishes that seemed to have multiplied since dinner.

  “Ugh, I swear, Ria, you eat like a wild animal. You’re going to make yourself sick.”

  “Heh, don’t knock it ‘til you twy it. This pie… mmmph… is s’ooooo good!”

  “Are you sure it’s not your turn to do dishes?”

  “Pretty sure it’s yours,” she said, forking another bite.

  “I did them last night.”

  “And it was your turn last night.”

  “And the night before that, too. Because you were so busy with your… ‘research,’” he said, using air quotes.

  “Hey, that research is important for my paper.”

  “You were watching reruns of ‘Friends’ again.”

  “And that was part of my research. I was studying the dynamics of 20th-century social interactions.”

  “Bull—”

  “Just get on with it, Mark,” Lida chuckled, wiping down the counter. “Stop complaining. You’re making a bigger mess than Ria with all that whining.”

  “Whose side are you on, anyway?”

  “The side of cleanliness. Which, in this case, happens to be Ria’s side. Now hurry up. Those dishes aren’t going to wash themselves.”

  “See? Even Lida agrees with me,” Ria said, sticking her tongue out.

  She always takes her side. He scrubbed at a stubborn stain, the mountain of dirty plates and silverware seeming to grow larger with every passing minute. This is going to take forever.

  “Hey… at least save me a piece of that pie.”

  “We’ll shee,” she said, her cheeks bulging with pie, crumbs falling from her lips. “Once you’re done, I’ll mmm assess your dishwashi—mmmph—skills. If you did a good enough job, I mmm might consider sharing…”

  A sigh escaped him, his mouth quirking up despite trying to stay annoyed.

  After finishing up, Mark plopped down in the living room, letting out a satisfied sigh. Finally, free from dish duty.

  “So,” Lida asked, “how was the trip?”

  “Oh, it was wonderful,” Ria began, her voice animated. “You should’ve seen the place. Miles away from the nearest soul, under stars like you wouldn’t believe. And the quiet… it was so peaceful, just being out there, away from everything. It was exactly what we needed.”

  “Sounds rejuvenating.”

  “It was, except for the fact that I got conned into doing the dishes,” he grumbled. “Seriously, it’s like I am tied to a sink. No escape.”

  “Only because you’re so good at it, babe,” she teased, giving him a playful nudge.

  They shared stories from their trip - the hilarious mishaps, the surprisingly decent campfire songs, the quiet moments spent watching the stars.

  Lida, however, suddenly interrupted Ria’s fervent retelling of her disastrous attempt to roast marshmallows. “Before I forget, I’ll be away for a couple of weeks.”

  “What?” He asked, surprised. “Where are you going?”

  “Just some… business I need to take care of.”

  “Everything okay?”

  “Everything’s fine, dear. Just catching up with some old friends. They need my help with something.”

  “Who are these friends?”

  “You wouldn’t know them, Mark,” Lida replied, waving her hand dismissively. “I knew them way back.”

  “What kind of help do they need?”

  “Honey, relax. I know you’re just concerned, but it’s truly nothing more than meeting with some old pals. It’s been too long and they reached out. That’s all there is to it.”

  “When are you leaving?” Ria inquired.

  “Day after tomorrow.”

  Mark let out a heavy sigh. It’s been too quiet lately. There was this nagging sense in his gut that trouble was brewing, something dark and dangerous.

  The uncertainty was like an itch he couldn’t scratch, a constant buzz of worry at the back of his mind. He knew Lida could handle herself; she was powerful, resourceful, more than capable of taking care of herself. But he couldn’t help but worry.

  Ria’s hand on his shoulder brought him back to the present. He turned to Lida. “You’ll tell me if something’s wrong, right?”

  “Of course. You know I will.”

  They chatted away, jumping from Lida’s upcoming trip to Ria’s cool new animation project, and then veered into Mark venting about Julian’s bizarre training techniques.

  “Night, you two,” Lida said, getting up from the couch with a tired smile. “Don’t stay up too late.”

  “Night, Lida,”

  “Goodnight.”

  The couple went to their room upstairs.

  “Want to take a shower, babe?”

  “Nah, I’m good.”

  Ria nodded and slipped into the bathroom, leaving him alone with the shadows that danced at the edges of his mind.

  Slipping into his worn-out sweatpants and a faded t-shirt, the simple act felt too mechanical. His head was a jumble of thoughts, each one elbowing for space with worries that just wouldn’t quit.

  This unnatural peace… felt wrong.… fragile, like a house of cards built on a foundation of sand. It’s too quiet.

  Elia was still out there, and whoever had hired him, whoever was targeting Ria, they were still pulling the strings, their motives unknown, their power unseen.

  And then there were his parents. Who killed them? And why? I’m no closer to finding out the truth than I was a year ago.

  He felt a surge of helplessness, a wave of anger that made his fists clench, his jaw tighten. I’m so fucking tired of this. All he craved was justice, closure, to bury the skeletons of his past once and for all.

  Ria emerged from the bathroom, her hair damp, her skin glowing, the scent of her vanilla body wash filling the air. She slipped into bed beside him, snuggling close, her warmth a welcome distraction from the turmoil in his mind.

  They kissed, a soft, lingering kiss that spoke of comfort and connection and then, exhausted, they drifted off to sleep.

  But sleep offered no escape.

  His thoughts raced like a wild horse, fear and worry mixing together in a messy swirl. The ghosts of yesterday danced with the unknowns of tomorrow, creating a storm inside him that just wouldn’t settle down.

  ▲▼▲—∞—▼▲▼

  “We must always account for the shifting equilibrium, the marginal utility curves—”

  Professor Wilson’s lecture was the perfect soundtrack for a nap.

  “—and, of course, the interrelationship of elasticity and supply-demand shifts…”

  Mark snorted, a quick burst of laughter that startled the girl sitting next to him. He shot her a quick, sheepish grin before diving back to the elaborate doodle taking shape in his notebook – a fire-breathing dragon battling a giant robot armed with laser cannons.

  “Remember, optimal production requires understanding both fixed and variable costs. Efficiency in cost allocation is—”

  I am so fucking bored. He’d been bitching about the constant chaos a few months ago, about the fights, the near-death experiences, the supernatural drama.

  Now, with Lida gone and things being relatively quiet, he was… bored. Sure, there were classes, chores, training to keep him occupied.

  But it had all settled into a predictable routine, a monotonous cycle that made him restless. I need something… more.

  The rest of the day crawled by, a blur of textbooks, tasteless cafeteria food, and professors whose lectures could cure insomnia. Another day, another existential crisis.

  Finally, it was time for his training session with Julian.

  He practically sprinted, eager for the physical exertion, the mental challenge, the chance to push himself, to escape the monotony. Julian’s brutal training methods were the highlight of his day, second only to Ria’s enthusiastic way of relieving his stress.

  He pushed open the shop door, the familiar scent of dried herbs and incense filling his nostrils.

  Julian was hunched over his workbench, examining a stack of papers covered in strange symbols. But what really caught Mark’s attention was was that Luna wasn’t around. She was usually perched behind the counter, her fanged grin and unnervingly knowing look a constant presence.

  “Where’s Luna?”

  “Sent her on an errand,” Julian said, without looking up.

  “What kind of errand?” He asked, dropping his bag onto the floor.

  “The kind that requires a certain… delicacy of touch that you are sorely lacking.”

  Mark sighed. Always with the cryptic bullshit. “So, what are we working on today?”

  “No training today. I’m busy.”

  “Busy doing what? All you ever do is mope around this dusty old shop, muttering to yourself.”

  “Don’t be a smartass, kid. I have important things to do.”

  “Right….” Mark said, unconvinced. “…what’s got you so busy?”

  “It seems our friends at Crescent have finally tracked down your… mercenary friend.”

  “They found Elia?” Mark asked, his voice sharp. Finally! “Where is he? I’m gonna…”

  “Whoa, there, cowboy,” Julian chuckled, raising a hand. “Calm down. It’s not like you’re about to reunite with your long-lost lover.”

  “You don’t get it. I’ve been waiting for months to get my hands on that bastard.”

  “I know you are, kid. But I’m afraid that’s not happening anytime soon.”

  “Why not?”

  “The situation is… complicated.”

  “Complicated how?”

  “Elia’s attack on the mansion… it’s a stain on Crescent’s honor. They’re not just going to let it go. They need to make an example of him, to show everyone that they’re not to be trifled with. Especially not by some two-bit mercenary.”

  This tale has been unlawfully obtained from Royal Road. If you discover it on Amazon, kindly report it.

  “Honor my foot. It sounds like they’re just covering their own asses. They were the ones who couldn’t even protect their own headquarters.”

  “Vultures circle when there’s blood in the water. It’s not just about Elia anymore. It’s about sending a message. And it seems our one-eyed friend has some… influential protectors. Some of them even have ties to Crescent. They’re walking a tightrope. Trying to maintain a delicate balance of power.”

  “So they’re getting you to do their dirty work?”

  “More or less,” Julian admitted with a shrug. “Adira asked for my help. Discreetly, of course. They don’t want to risk a direct confrontation, given the… political ramifications.”

  “Who’s protecting him, though? Who are these powerful friends?”

  “Adira didn’t say. She just told me what she needed. And frankly, I didn’t ask. Sometimes, it’s better not to know too much.”

  “What’s in it for you, then?”

  Julian smiled a cryptic glint in his eye. “Favors owed. Favors gained. It’s the currency of our world. The only currency that truly matters.”

  “So, let me get this straight,” Mark said, rubbing his temples. “Their alliances are more important than the fact that this guy attacked their headquarters, nearly killed Ria.”

  “As I said it’s complicated,” Julian sighed, his voice laced with a weary patience. “This world… it runs on favors, debts, alliances. They want Elia dealt with, yes, but quietly. Discreetly. I’m just the… middle man, making sure everyone gets what they want, minimizing the collateral damage. Ensuring sure things are handled according to protocol.”

  Protocol my ass. It’s all about politics and power plays. Anger boiled in Mark, cold and hard, wiping out his earlier excitement.

  “So, what’s the plan, here?”

  “Simple. Crescent has a team en route to Elia’s hideout. I’ll waltz in, neutralize him, and bring him back for… a chat.”

  “Let me handle it, Julian.”

  He wasn’t about to let Crescent steal his chance for revenge. He wanted to confront Elia, to finish what they’d started, and to finally get some damn answers. Who was calling the shots? Why were they after Ria?

  “Your ability to completely ignore what I say and just bulldoze ahead with your own agenda is truly remarkable,” Julian said dryly. “I wish your skills developed at the same rate.”

  “Come on, Julian, I have a stake in this. More than anyone. That bastard tried to kill Ria, and he nearly succeeded.”

  Julian sighed, running a hand through his hair. “I understand where you’re coming from. But you need to see the bigger picture. This isn’t just about your grudge. There are bigger forces at play here. Alliances, treaties, political maneuvering…”

  “So what? I’m supposed to just sit back and let it be? Let those assholes clean up the mess while I’m left wondering who the hell is trying to kill me and why?”

  “It’s a bad idea,” Julian said, his voice patient, though a flicker of annoyance crossed his face. “Adira won’t be happy. She’ll see it as a challenge to her authority. To Crescent’s control.”

  “I don’t give a shit. This is personal. He hurt Ria. He hurt me. I’m not going to let him get away with it. He’s my problem.”

  Julian studied him for a moment, amusingly. “So, you’re determined to stick your hand in the hornet’s nest, are you? Fine. But don’t say I didn’t warn you.”

  “Thanks, Julian.”

  “Don’t get cocky, kid. This isn’t some playground brawl. This is a hunt. And you’re not the only predator in the jungle.”

  “I took care of him once. I can do it again.”

  Julian sighed. “That’s what I’m afraid of. You beat him in a straight fight, yes. But this is different. You’re walking into his territory, his rules. These hunters… they’re cunning. They adapt. They plan. They play the long game. Walk into this expecting a rematch, and you’ll find yourself out of your depth.”

  “Yeah, yeah, I know. Be vigilant, blah…blah… blah… Don’t worry, I’ll be fine. I’ll just… be ultra careful while I’m kicking his ass.”

  Julian shook his head, a wry smile tugging at the corner of his lips. “Stubbornness is definitely your most endearing quality. Just… try not to get yourself killed. Lida would never forgive me. Or you, for that matter.”

  ▲▼▲—∞—▼▲▼

  Mark followed Julian’s directions, driving further and further out of town, the city lights fading behind him, the road twisting and turning through dense forest. Thick trees surrounded either side, sunlight peeking through the leaves.

  He was surprised he even had cell service out here. This is the middle of nowhere. He finally reached a small clearing, where a handful of cars and tents were clustered near the edge of the woods. He pulled over, a flicker of unease in his gut.

  Mark approached the edge of the group, curiosity and apprehension mingling in his gut.

  “Well, well, look who it is?”

  He turned to see Alex leaning against a tree, his arms crossed, a smug smirk on his face.

  “Could ask you the same thing. Last I checked, this wasn’t exactly private property.”

  “Coven business,” he replied curtly. “Which you have no part in.”

  “Really? I seem to recall you like handling your little messes in private. Tell me, Alex, are you picking mushrooms?”

  “For fuck’s sake, Mark. Don’t you ever learn? You need to stop sticking your nose where it doesn’t belong.”

  “Or what? Want to go again? See if your fancy tricks are any better than last time?”

  Alex’s eyes flashed with anger. “Gladly I’ve been looking forward to a rematch. This time, I’ll wipe that smug grin off your face.”

  “Bring it on, Frosty,” Mark grinned, his hands crackling with energy.

  “Mark?”

  He spun around, catching sight of Ria rushing over to him, her eyes wide with surprise.

  “What are you doing here? I was just about to call you,” she exclaimed before enveloping him in a tight hug.

  “Julian sent me.”

  “Why?”

  Before Mark could answer, a cold voice cut through the air. “Outsiders are not permitted to interfere.”

  Mark whipped around to see Adira, her expression as cold and unforgiving as the frost she commanded. She was a formidable figure, her gaze sharp, intelligent, a hint of weariness etched around her eyes and mouth.

  “Mom, he isn’t—”

  “I don’t care,” the older woman cut her off with a dismissive wave. “The fact remains he does not belong here. This is a matter for our coven alone.”

  “Great! Julian has sent him here.”

  “Since when did that old fool start sending pups to do his work?” She continued, her gaze finally shifting to Mark.

  It wasn’t a look; it was a glare - the kind that made him question the life insurance policy he wasn’t sure he had.

  She might actually kill me…

  “I volunteered for this job. Julian didn’t send me.”

  She scoffed. “Well, then he truly must have lost his mind.”

  “Can we just catch this asshole and argue about it later?”

  “Catch who?” Ria asked, her brow furrowing.

  “Why are you guys even here?”

  “It’s none of your concern,” Adira snapped.

  “We’re here to investigate that,” Ria said, ignoring her mother, pointing towards a gaping hole in the ground a short distance away.

  It looked like a sinkhole, a gaping maw that seemed to swallow the surrounding trees, its edges jagged and unstable

  “Elia’s in there,” he said, turning to Ria.

  “What? But—”

  “So what?” Adira replied dismissively. “He’s contained. We’ll deal with him.”

  “You knew about this?” Ria demanded, rounding on her mother, her voice rising.

  “I didn’t think it was necessary for you to…”

  “Not necessary? You didn’t tell me anything about this! Why am I just finding out now?”

  “It’s for your own good…”

  “For my own good?” Ria scoffed.

  “Ria, you need to—”

  “This is a waste of time,” Mark interrupted, his patience thinning.

  “I disagree,” Adira said, her voice like ice. “YOU should not be here. I don’t know what Julian was thinking, sending you of all people. This is Crescent business. Stay out of it.”

  “Believe me, lady, I have no interest in your little coven. I’m here to find that damned bastard and beat some answers out of him. You’re just in my way.”

  “You think you can just waltz in here…”

  “Actually,” Alex interrupted, stepping forward, his voice surprisingly calm, “it might be a good idea to have him on board.”

  What? Mark expected support from that quarter. What’s his angle?

  “The caverns are extensive,” Alex continued. “We don’t have any blueprints, no maps. We’re searching blind. Sending a small team with a specific target in mind might be more efficient. He is an outsider but having an extra set of hands is better and he is not really a casualty for us anyway.”

  Adira considered his words for a moment, her expression unreadable. “Fine. But if he causes any trouble…” She didn’t finish the sentence, but the threat hung heavy in the air. She turned and stormed away, her entourage trailing behind her.

  Ria hesitated for a moment, glancing at Mark, then hurried after her mother.

  “Follow me,” Alex said, his voice low, leading Mark towards the back of a large, black van.

  The back of the van was a mobile command center, equipped with laptops, maps, and various other high-tech gadgets.

  “Quite the setup you’ve got here.”

  “It’s tricky down there,” Alex explained, gesturing towards the sinkhole. “The tunnels are a maze. Twists, turns, dead ends…… And that’s not the worst part.”

  “Traps?”

  “Let’s just say he’s not exactly welcoming guests. We’ve already lost two of our scouts.”

  I don’t trust this guy, Mark mused. But what choice do I have? He needed to find Elia, and Alex, despite his obvious hate, seemed to be the only one willing to help.

  A sudden explosion rocked the van, followed by a chorus of shouts and alarms. Mark and Alex exchanged a look, their eyes narrowing.

  “What the hell was that?”

  “No clue,” Alex muttered, grabbing a radio from the table. “Report! What’s happening?”

  A frantic voice crackled through the speaker.

  Ria stormed into the van. “What the fuck is going on, Alex?”

  “We have a situation,” he said pointing to a map displayed on one of the laptops, his finger tracing a path through a network of underground tunnels. “We’ve managed to clear a path down to here, but we’re hitting heavy resistance. Elia’s got the place locked down tight.”

  “That’s deep.”

  “The tunnels go even deeper,” Alex said, his brow furrowed. “We’re spreading our resources thin. My team is good, but they’re not suited for this kind of… spelunking.”

  “What do you mean?”

  “Most of these guys are battle-focused,” Ria jumped in. “Not huge on exploring and stuff.”

  “Great,” Mark said, nodding. This is going to be fun.

  “I’m guessing Elia’s close,” Alex said, his gaze fixed on the map. “We’ve covered most of the upper levels.”

  “Then let’s pick up where your scouts left off,” Ria suggested.

  “Why are you so eager to get down there?” Alex asked, raising an eyebrow.

  “I just want to get this over with. I don’t like wasting time.”

  “Right… I’ll grab the others. Be ready in five.” He turned and left.

  Mark pulled Ria aside, his hand gently cupping her face. “Everything okay?”

  “I’m fine,” she let out a frustrated huff. “It’s just my mother, being her usual insufferable self.”

  “Don’t worry about her, Ria. Let’s just focus on getting Elia. Then we can deal with rest of this… drama.”

  “Right… Let’s go get that asshole.”

  A few minutes later, Alex returned with two others in tow - a tall, muscular man with close-cropped hair and a lithe woman with weird facial tattoos.

  Did I meet them before?

  “Mark, these are Caleb and Nisha,” Alex said. “They’ll be joining us.”

  Mark nodded. “Nice to meet you.”

  “Likewise,” Caleb said, his voice deep and gruff.

  “This ought to be fun,” Nisha said grinning.

  With the introductions made, the group began finalizing their preparations to descend into the caverns.

  ▲▼▲—∞—▼▲▼

  They moved through the narrow tunnel, the glowsticks casting an eerie green light on the damp, glistening walls. The air was cool and heavy, the scent of earth and something… ancient… filling Mark’s lungs. Claustrophobic much?

  He gripped the rough stone, his boots scraping against the uneven floor, the only sounds were their echoing breaths and the occasional drip of water. Plip.

  The tunnel widened, opening into a vast cavern. Mark ran his hand along the smooth, polished stone, marveling at the intricate carvings, the utter scale of the place.

  “Hard to believe this is right under our feet.”

  “You can thank Elia for it,” Alex said dryly.

  Nisha tsked softly. “More like co-opting it from whoever carved this place originally. You can feel the age oozing from these stones.”

  She’s right. An aura of antiquity permeated the tunnels.

  The passageways proved just as complex as Alex had warned - a dizzying, serpentine network that seemed to fold in on itself endlessly. More than once, Mark felt the disorientating grip of deja vu as they passed what appeared to be the same crumbling spot.

  “Gotta admire the arrogance of building a place like this,” he muttered under his breath.

  Quietly, they made their way down, the only noise the echo of their steps in the empty space, their glowsticks creating flickering shadows on the walls.

  “You know,” Caleb said, breaking the silence, “this place would make a killer date spot. Just imagine it - a little mood lighting, some candles, maybe scatter a few rose petals…”

  Nisha snorted. “Are you kidding me? Who in their right mind would want to get romantic surrounded by this creepy hellhole?”

  “I’ll have you know some women go crazy for the whole ‘dangerous ruin’ aesthetic. It’s like…primally thrilling or something.”

  “Bullshit. No fucking woman would want that.” She glanced back at the rest. “Am I right, or am I right?”

  “I’m firmly on Team Nisha for this one,” Ria agreed. “Candlelit dates in caves are a hard pass from me. Way too creepy.”

  “That’s right,” Nisha grinned. “Anyone tries to drag me down here for a date, I’ll shove my boot so far up their…”

  “Okay, okay! I get it - way too dark for romance. Sheesh…”

  Ria couldn’t stifle her laughter at his expression.

  “Focus up,” Alex warned. “We have no idea what’s waiting for us.”

  The descent was rather quick, the path already cleared by the earlier teams.

  But as they moved deeper, a strange, sickening smell permeated the air. It wasn’t just the damp earth and decay; it was something else, something… unnatural.

  What the fuck is that smell?

  It was sickly sweet, like rotted flowers and charnel, invading his nostrils in dizzying waves. An amalgamation of scents so viscerally wrong that the mere hint of it triggered an instinctive recoil.

  And the feeling of being watched… it was stronger, more intense, like a hundred unseen eyes boring into his skin. Just like the mansion.

  He kept his senses on high alert as they continued deeper, the tunnels leveling out, the floor beneath their feet becoming smoother, more… artificial.

  A flicker of movement above them, a fleeting shadow against the darkness, made Mark’s head snap up. He stared into the blackness, his heart pounding, but there was nothing there.

  He noticed how the ceiling had disappeared, swallowed by the darkness, the glowsticks unable to penetrate the inky blackness above. How deep are we?

  “Guys…”

  “What?” Alex asked, stopping.

  Mark pointed at the ground. “We’ve been walking on level ground for a while now. Haven’t noticed any downward slopes.”

  “What are you saying?” Caleb asked.

  “We’re not going down. We’re just… walking.”

  Alex frowned, pulling out a map and a small flashlight. “Fuck, he’s right,” he muttered after a moment, confused. “We’re way below where we’re supposed to be. The scans didn’t show this much open space.”

  “What?” Nisha exclaimed, stepping closer to examine the map.

  “There’s nothing on the map beyond this point,” Alex said, his finger tracing a dotted line that abruptly ended. “It’s like… the caverns just… stop.”

  Mark took the map, his gaze scanning the lines, the symbols. They were way off course. What is going on here?

  Something’s not right…

  A faint, wet squelch pulled his attention to the ceiling.

  At first, all he saw were eyes—glossy, bulbous things that reflected the glowstick’s light like pools of oil. Wa- what the hell is that?

  They blinked, slowly, lazily, in haphazard patterns, as if multiple creatures were watching them, their gazes cold, predatory.

  As the glowstick’s light intensified, more details emerged.

  A gnarled, twisted form began to take shape – a grotesque tapestry of leathery hides, hooked talons, and serrated mandibles. Spiny protrusions, weeping a foul-smelling ooze, jutted from its flesh.

  Vestigial limbs twitched and spasmed, giving the creature an unsettling illusion of constant movement.

  And then there were the mouths—three gaping maws, ringed with dagger-like fangs that gnashed together with a wet, sickening rasp. One of them yawned wide, revealing jagged teeth and a dark, endless void within.

  A human face, contorted in a silent scream of agony, was barely visible amidst the churning mass of flesh and scales as if someone had been absorbed, consumed, and twisted into this.

  What the fuck…

  “G-Guys…”

  Heads snapped up, glowsticks casting long, flickering shadows.

  “What in the bloody hell…” Caleb breathed.

  “Get into formation! Now!” Ria barked.

  Caleb took point, his broad shoulders squared, his massive frame a bulwark against the unknown. Nisha slipped behind him, her twin blades glinting in the glowstick light. Alex and Ria flanked them, their hands pulsing with a faint blue light, frost already forming around their fingertips. Mark instinctively drifted towards the center of their defensive circle, the talisman cold against his chest.

  As if in answer, the creature’s bulbous, unblinking eyes seemed to fix upon them with sudden, unsettling focus.

  “GGGRRRRUUUMMMM…RRRUUUMMM… GGGGHHRR!!!”

  A deafening shriek tore through the cavern.

  The monstrous form convulsed, its fanged maws snapping, its limbs thrashing, the air thick with the stench of decay and something… alien.

  And then, with terrifying speed, it dropped from the ceiling, a nightmarish avalanche of flesh, scales, and talons, hurtling straight toward them.