“Fine.” Luca took the roll of blankets. The bundle was so thick it dragged the ground. He tried to position the coats so he could carry it all.
“Leave them. You can make another trip,” Nox said.
Luca didn’t have a choice. He left the coats and pillowcase by the wheel and carried the blankets to the car. The hatch was already open and the box of supplies in the back.
Nox leaned on Isaiah as they reached the vehicle.
“Let me rest a minute.” Nox stopped at the bumper.
Isaiah helped him sit. “I’m sorry things didn’t work out like I’d hoped.”
“Yeah.” Nox rubbed his temple. “Me too.”
Luca blew a hot breath into his hands. “I’m going to get the coats and other stuff. Can you…”
“I’ve got him.” Isaiah put Nox’s arm over his shoulder. “You ready?”
“Almost,” Nox said.
“I’ll be right back.” Luca ran to grab the rest of their things, but halfway his feet concreted to the ground. Chills raced down his spine, and a familiar hum chased them back to his core. Energy so pure and dark rippled through him, lighting up every nerve.
The Anubis.
Luca turned and Isaiah fled in his direction.
Nox knelt on the ground. A syringe stuck from his side.
“Nox!” Luca ran.
Isaiah snatched him off the ground.
Rage, anger, death, it rolled through Luca’s mind with enough force he cried out.
Nox’s body contorted, his legs jerked, and his knees bent backward with a deep crunch. Muscles bulged in his arms and his elbows dislocated. Then a web of black swallowed him whole, leaving behind the epitome of hell.
“Let go of me.” Luca twisted in Isaiah’s grip.
“I can’t do that. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.” What sounded like a sob broke apart whatever else Isaiah said.
Not that it mattered, the man’s voice was nothing but static compared to the storm of the Anubis.
It jerked its head up, and green fire flared in its eyes.
A series of soft pops rang out over the field. Cylindrical tubes tufted in bright red struck the Anubis. New threads rolled over the foreign objects, knocking them free. More replaced them.
It stumbled toward the motorhomes.
Another barrage of darts pelted its body. It fell, stood, and fell again.
Isaiah pulled Luca to the other side of the large tree near the horse trailer.
“Goddamn it, let me go.”
Isaiah held Luca tighter. Wet droplets smeared against Luca’s cheek.
“I didn’t mean for it to be this way. I swear to you. I wanted you to stay together.” Isaiah’s breath shuddered and his entire body shook with one jagged inhale after the other. “It will be over soon. I know it’s bad. I’m sorry. I’m so sorry.”
“No.” Luca kicked and twisted.