Jonas's face was a twisted vestige of hate and horror. His casual handsomeness was all but buried under that look, and he recoiled away from the opening for a second. Then he pulled a gun and pointed it downward.

Shamira had no idea how she thought of the idea, but she grabbed Daniel's gurgling corpse-to-be and turned over, using him as a shield as the first bullets hit. One bullet got through, but it didn't stop Shamira. She was so far beyond a mortal concept of pain that this was just icing on the cake. From behind, she thrust her hand through Daniel's back, causing it to emerge from the...