The Cradle – Level Four Corridor
Vex ran.
Lena was clutched against her chest, the girl's thin arms wrapped around her mother's neck, her face buried in Vex's shoulder. Behind them, Sora and the remaining Greenday fighter, a young man named Dorn kept pace, their weapons raised, their eyes scanning the dark corridor for threats.
The emergency lights flickered, casting spasming shadows.
They were close. The eastern gate was three levels up. Julian's team had cleared the path. They just had to—
A blade of shadow embedded itself in the wall centimeters from Vex's face.
She skidded to a halt, spinning, shielding Lena with her body.
Alder stepped out of the darkness.
His silver hair gleamed under the emergency lights. His pale blue eyes were calm, almost bored. His arms covered in scars hung at his sides, but his hands were steady. Ready. One arm was already regenerating from where Lena's decay had destroyed it earlier, the flesh knitting itself back together slowly.
