The Demon stumbled back. Jordan collapsed to her knees, her head tilted back. I watched the Demon die, clutching the hole in its chest while flowers started budding along cracks forming in its body. In a way it was beautiful, but that’s just another one of its tricks.

Jordan was already gone. Blood leaked from her eyes and ears. Small ruby like gems protruded from the cuts on her face where the Demon had fed from her. I should stop getting close to people. Besides Isaac, they always seem to end this way. There are times I wish my relationship with him ended this way.

I heard Conner’s steps before he came into my sight. This isn’t the first time someone had died in my presence and I know it won’t be the last.

“What. Happened?” Conner only looked at me.

The glaze over his blind eye found a way to pierce a hole through me. There went my hope of ending this probation.

“Jordan broke protocol. Sir.” Kris answered before I could.

“Is that so?” Conner didn’t look away from me.

“Yes sir.” I adjusted my stance to be at attention.

Conner stared down at me for a second longer, the fire in his glare making me uncomfortable and he knew it too. He’s not one to speak openly in front of others, he prefers one on ones. I don’t. Conner spun on his heel and began his exit from the tunnel with the three of us close behind.

I paused and looked back. Deep growls hid in the darkness behind us. “There are more.” I knelt down and reloaded my gun.

Kris and Marcus turned to join me, weapons out and at the ready. I’ve never seen Conner use a gun, he has beautiful twin crystal daggers that hang from his belt. It’s said he carved them from his first kill and every time I saw them I felt a pride to be under his command.

The hissing and growling grew closer, louder. The Demons were protecting their claimed territory, which in a cramped wet tunnel like this meant two things.

This was a nest, and we were outnumbered.

Retreating is never the preferred option for me. I hated starting a fight and never getting a chance to finish it. Conner knew this better than anyone and pulled me up with a shake of his head.

“Let’s do the smart thing.” Conner lingered on smart for a second too long and I felt the hit. “Retreat. We will bring word to the Regent.” He ordered.

Kris and Marcus nodded and began to back up without a second thought or argument towards their captain. I agreed reluctantly and followed slightly behind as the hisses faded and the tunnel fell to silence once again. The gentle hum of our visors the only sound.

Until Kris screamed.

A civilian, one of the campers in the front of the tunnel had his legs clamped tightly around Kris’ waist and had him pinned. The others rallied and attacked us.

A trap.

The shirt of the civilian attacking Kris ripped open from a direct shot to the chest and revealed a row of gems along multiple cuts on their skin.

Damn sympathizers.