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She repeated this pattern, edging away from Hunter as she ducked, moved, and fired.

There was a roar, and blood poured from an invisible spot.

“You got it!” Hunter’s joy turned to terror as Cleo was slammed against the wall. Her gun flew from her hand and spun away.

There was a flicker of movement, then the creature appeared. It was the same design as the crocodile thing he’d fought. It was huge, muscular, and insane looking.

Its scaled limbs slashed at Cleo, cleaving deep gashes across her cheek, before its camouflage activated and it vanished.

Her blood spilled to the ground, and she clapped a hand against the injury, her eyes wide with fear as they darted around.

Hunter scrambled over and reached for her, but his arms felt so heavy he could barely lift them.

He cursed under his breath. “Cleo, you have to run. This thing will kill you if you don’t leave.”

“Its killing days are over.” She swiped her other hand down her bleeding face, shot a smile at Hunter, and then charged with her hands outstretched.

Hunter’s heart was in his throat as she slammed into the invisible beast. Her slick hands slid down its stomach, and she hit the ground with a groan as the creature slashed at her and growled.

She rolled away and back to Hunter, balancing on her toes as she shook out her wrists. “I see it! My handprints are on its stomach.”

“Here’s your gun.” Hunter handed her the weapon he’d retrieved. “And don’t stop firing until that thing is dead.”

Cleo grabbed the gun, aimed it at the bloody smears, and let loose.

The camouflage on the creature vanished as the bullets hit home. Its tail shot from side-to-side as it slammed it against the rock, trying to hit them. It crashed to the ground a few inches from Cleo’s feet.

She staggered back and sagged against Hunter.

He wrapped his arm around her waist, but she groaned and pulled away. He removed his hand, horrified at the sight of blood on his palm. “Cleo! You’re hurt.”

“It’s a scratch.” She staggered back into his arms, but then slid to the floor.

***

So much pain. And whatthe hell was that awful smell lodged in her nose that wouldn’t fade?

Cleo fought against the fog of unconsciousness as she was lifted and carried a few paces. There was a grunt, then she was falling. She clung on tight to whoever was holding her.

“Hunter?” she whispered.

“Sorry, I lost my footing. I’ve got you, and we’re getting out of these caves.”

“The beast? It’s dead?”

“You killed it, baby. Now, I need to get us out of here, then you’ll be safe. I’ll take us to the barracks if we can’t find Ash and Georgia. It’s not far from here. They’ll protect you and treat your injuries.”

“What about Rexx and Daisy?”

“I can’t get through to them. The Siblet must be jamming communications. I’ve got your equipment pack with me, but I can’t get any signal to connect.”

She forced her eyes open. They weren’t moving. Why weren’t they moving?

Hunter was on his knees, holding her tight against his chest, but he wasn’t making any effort to get up.

Her heart stuttered at how pale he looked. Sweat slid down his face like he’d just done a three hour workout. “What’s wrong?”

“I don’t know. The Siblet must have done something to me when I was unconscious. I’m not healing as fast as I should. Even with the energy boost from Ash, my natural ability isn’t kicking in. It feels... dead.”