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He looked back at me, then at North. “Is this going to be a problem?”

“No,” North said.

I shook my head.

“Good.” Jameson looked straight ahead and set the vehicle in drive. “We’re going to get Zeke and Marc next. Kai’s meeting us at Squad Command.”

My tense shoulders relaxed. He wasn’t going to say anything else, or make a big deal of it.

The twins lived next door to each other, several streets away. They piled into the back of the vehicle with me.

“Evening,” Marc said. “Or should I say morning?”

Soon, we drove out of the front gate of Dawn, waving at the guards as they closed it behind us.

“Five guards were taken from Picton?” North said.

“Yeah, sounds bad. The monsters attacked a weak spot in the wall where repairs were being done.” Jameson’s hands flexed on the wheel. “The security squad on duty tonight is already busy dealing with a landslide on the central coast. Besides, they’re not equipped to deal with a large group of monsters like we are.”

No, that was definitely Hunter Squad’s domain.

We reached Squad Command and idled at the huge front gates. A moment later, the gates slowly opened. Guards waved us in, and soon Jameson drove down into the underground parking garage.

Moments later, we were in our locker room, gearing up.

I glanced at North. He was already in his armor, methodically checking his medical backpack.

I understood now why he was so careful and conscientious. All because of a young man who hadn’t had the chance to live.

“All right.” Jameson hefted his carbine up against his broad shoulder. “I’m not sure what we’re heading into, but we have a group of monsters to deal with. I need everyone sharp.” He shot a quick glance at me and North.

I lifted my chin and met his hazel gaze.

Jameson nodded. “Let’s get these people back.”

As we strode into the hangar, the rotors were already spinning on the quadcopter. We jogged over and climbed in the back.

“Welcome aboard,” Colbie said. “Nothing like a little late-night flying.”

“Let’s get airborne, Colbie,” Jameson said.

I strapped in, and a second later, the Talon lifted off.

CHAPTER ELEVEN

North

The Talon flew through the night darkness. Everyone was quiet and tense. We knew we were heading into a shitty situation.

Five adults gone.Shit. A muscle ticked in my jaw.

I glanced at Jess. Her face was set, focused.

Picton was inland of Dawn. Pre-invasion, it had been a small town surrounded by hills and farms that despite its close proximity to Sydney, still had a country feel to it.

Now, Picton was a fraction of its former size. The walled township sat in the center of the ruins of the larger community.

I looked out the side window of the Talon. It was too dark to see much more than glimpses given by the Talon’s flying lights. All I saw were the shadows of uninhabited buildings below.