The report came from Ethan, breathless, having sprinted the last flight of stairs to reach their gate.
"They're not from here," he said, gripping the bars, chest heaving. "Not our building. Word is they came over from the tower two blocks east — the one that finally lost its upper floors to structural damage a few days ago. They needed somewhere dry, and now they've decided taking it by force is easier than asking."
Erik's jaw tightened. "How many?"
"At least a dozen, from what people are saying. Maybe more. They've got weapons, and a couple of them have powers now too." Ethan's voice carried genuine fear, different from the usual wary caution the building had settled into. "They hit my floor an hour ago. Took almost everything we had left."
Killian's expression darkened. "Your floor specifically?"
"Ours, and the one below us. I don't know if they're planning to keep climbing."
