Ethan followed Damien to the mansion at the center of the compound. They shot the breeze for ten-plus minutes, and the moment the chefs finally finished the spread—
Ethan was just about to dig into whatever "local specialty" Damien had been bragging about…
When the outside suddenly exploded into chaos.
"Enemy attack!"
"It's a mutant beast! A terrifying one!"
Shouts crashed in from all directions. Everyone inside went tight-faced at once, then bolted for the door.
"SKREE—!"
A piercing cry knifed through the air.
A massive shadow circled above the compound, blotting out chunks of the sky as it wheeled overhead.
Ethan looked up—and froze.
"Roc?!"
Why is it here? A cold thought slid in. Did it come looking for me?
But we were just… cooperating. We saved it, it helped us kill the Winged Clan. Deal done. That should be the end of it.
Unless…
Unless it didn't get its fill, and it's here to butcher a whole city?
