The alarm didn't wail. It screamed.
A high, piercing shriek blasted through every speaker in the Demon-Mouth Outpost. Red lights flashed in the barracks, hallways, mess hall, and medical bay simultaneously.
Holden was on his feet before the sound finished its first cycle.
His earpiece crackled.
"Holden."
Maeve's voice came through, but it was unrecognizable. All of her usual warmth was gone, replaced by something cold and professional.
"Maeve, what's happening?"
"I'm in the bunker. I tapped into the long-range sensor array about twenty minutes ago because something felt off. The data just finished compiling." She paused for a second. "The Abyssal Lieutenant we killed last night. It wasn't a commander."
"What do you mean?"
"It was a scout, Holden. A forward observer. It was mapping the outpost so the real army would know exactly where to hit."
