Half of Paula's body hung from the monster's dripping jaw.
Her legs kicked weakly, arms flailing as the creature's throat rippled, pulling her deeper.
Her scream muffled into a sickening gurgle before she disappeared entirely, swallowed into the grotesque mass of flesh that had once been Emma.
Maren stood frozen.
Her lips formed a single, broken word.
"Emma."
The monster's dozen mismatched eyes turned toward her.
And roared.
The sound split the air, wet and guttural, vibrating through Ronan's chest.
Then it lunged.
Maren was thrown backward, slamming into the far wall hard enough to crack stone.
Pus, blood, and infection sprayed from the impact, coating the ground in foul-smelling fluids.
She hit the floor gasping, clutching her ribs.
Ronan's eyes swept the room.
The other cultists – those who had chanted – weren't human anymore.
