How long has it been here? Hundreds of years? How many more of these are scattered across the country, hidden in plain sight?
The thought lingers for only a second before—
"Ella!"
Ollie’s voice. Urgent. From the large garage ahead.
I snap out of my daze and rush over, finding him crouched beside three unconscious women. Their still bodies, their shallow breaths—my stomach twists.
A quick scan confirms my worst fear.
"They’ve been bitten too," I whisper, bile rising in my throat. "It’s the same infection. This is definitely becoming a pattern of his."
"Aus," I call, my voice sharper than I intend, "come here."
Austin doesn’t hesitate. He kneels beside me, his presence steady, grounding. Without a second thought, I grab his hand with one of mine while clasping the wrist of one of the
