As the soldiers moved, lifting bodies and dragging the corpses of the creatures aside, Merlin turned to Kai. "You will come with me."
Kai's eyes raised slightly as they met Merlin's. "Why?"
"Because half the city is burning, the military is panicking, and there are people within our own ranks who would rather chain you than understand you."
Kai remained still as the rainwater continued to drip from the tip of the sword and onto the ruined tiles.
Merlin lowered his voice. "If you stay here, they will look for you. And they will find you."
Silence roamed between Kai and Merlin as poisonous gases gushed out of the creature after every pull.
The soldiers worked in the background, their boots sloshing through blood. Metal clanged, stretchers unfolded, and radios cracked. Yet around Merlin and the boy, it felt as if the rain had built an invisible wall just for them alone.
