The wail of sirens rolled over the shattered streets, sharp and growing closer. Police. Ambulances. Maybe even military.
Inside the wrecked mall, people crowded near exits, some crying, others shouting over one another.
The chaos made it easier for Jace and Serai to slip into the shadows, weaving through the broken halls without anyone noticing them leave.
Serai clutched the shopping bags tight to her chest, knuckles pale against the plastic.
Jace glanced at her once, making sure she was keeping up. At least she hadn't dropped the clothes, he'd need a change badly.
His shirt was soaked with blood, both his and the alien's.
The pair slipped out through a service door into the back lot. The alley smelled of garbage and smoke, dumpsters overturned, stray glass glinting in the siren lights that painted the air red and blue.
[You need to move fast,] Zin warned in his head. [The perimeter will close in minutes. If they get a good look at you, there's no more secrecy.]
