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The monster went down like a ton of bricks.

Jess just managed to roll away and get to her feet. She snatched a grenade off her belt and swiveled.

The monster behind me roared, it’s fang-filled mouth open. It was two meters away, powerful body getting ready to pounce.

Without missing a beat, Jess tossed the grenade—right into the beast’s mouth.

As it jumped, I backed up, firing at its belly.

Boom.

It jerked, and I ducked. Gore splattered the side of my armor.

Looking up, I grinned at Jess.

She grinned back.

Then I heard a low groan.

Gus.

My smile fled as I raced over to the injured man.

“Cover me,” I said.

Jess nodded.

I dropped down beside Gus and pulled my backpack closer. “How are you doing, Gus?”

“Better. Doesn’t hurt now. Whatever you gave me did the trick.”

My heart squeezed. His legs were mangled, and the shot I’d given him wouldn’t dull all of the pain. The fact that he wasn’t feeling anything wasn’t a good sign.

“Hang in there.” I got busy applying tourniquets to his thighs and touched my ear. “Jameson, I have an injured man in his late fifties. He needs an emergency evac once the area is clear.”

“Acknowledged. Colbie is on standby.” I heard the sound of carbine fire both in the distance, and across the comm line.

“I’m ready whenever it’s safe to land,” Colbie said. “I can do a hot evac if required.”

“Gus, we need to get you stabilized, then get you out of here.”

The older man gripped my arm. “The monsters took the others. Carried them off.”

“We’ll find them.”

“Please. They’re good people.” Blood splattered on his lips.

No. “Just stay calm.”

“Those people are my family. Lost my wife and kids in the invasion. All these people kept me together, gave me a reason to go on. Promise me you’ll find them.” His voice was getting fainter.

I took his hand. “I promise you.” I knew I shouldn’t, but I couldn’t let this man down. “Hunter Squad never leaves anyone behind. We’ll bring them home.”

“Thanks.” He relaxed, a smile on his face.

Dammit, I gave him another injection. My chest was so tight I could barely breathe. I put more pressure on his wounds. “Stay with me, Gus.”

He looked up, his face free of stress and pain. “I can see my Clair. And my boys. Missed them so much.”