The woods were silent, save for the crunch of boots on damp earth.

  Sophie led the militia through the night, staying just out of sight behind the demon army marching toward Perfect City.

  Her thoughts drifted.

  Hold on, Edwin. We're coming for you.

  Then—Thomas.

  His warm smile. That quirky charm. The way he looked at her like she mattered.

  Focus, she told herself. This isn't the time.

  Ice broke the silence.

  "We're close. I can see the lights of Perfect City."

  Then—caw caw.

  The raven descended, nding on Bze's arm.

  "Caw caw. Demon army is there. Caw caw."

  Bze nodded. "We're tracking them."

  "Caw caw. No. There are two armies. Caw caw."

  The group froze.

  Bze stared at the bird. "Two armies?"

  Ace muttered, "Aw, shit."

  Sophie's heart raced.

  Two armies? That's impossible. Who's the second force?

  Ice turned to Bze.

  "Captain… I think it's time for Pn B."

  Bze nodded.

  "You're right. Everyone—Pn B. You ready?"

  The group responded in quiet unison.

  They had pnned it back in the war room. A contingency. Risky. Unpredictable. But necessary.

  Sophie looked toward the ruined city lights.

  Whatever happens… were face it together.

  They moved like shadows.

  Pn B was in motion. Ice crawled through the underbrush, the cold earth pressing against his chest as the demon camp loomed ahead. Fires flickered zily. Drunken groans echoed from tents. No arms. No movement.

  Bze raised his binocurs.

  "Quiet. Too quiet. Northeast tower Sophie, take it."

  A single shot cracked through the silence.

  Bullseye.

  The watch demon dropped. Bze gave the signal.

  "Clear. Eve and Sophie, stay back sniper cover."

  Ice and Bze slipped into the camp, weaving between tents like ghosts. The only light came from dying embers and the occasional flicker of demon ughter.

  Bze whispered, "This way."

  They approached a tent unlike the rest rger, gilded, guarded by silence. Inside, a sloth demon lounged on a throne, crown tilted, snacks in hand. He didn't flinch as they entered.

  Ice's grip tightened on his bde.

  Is this… the Lord of Sloth?

  Bze stepped forward. "Where's Edwin?"

  The demon prince blinked slowly, and continued to eat his chips. Then waddled to a map and pointed.

  "New Heaven."

  Ice frowned. Never heard of it.

  The prince returned to his throne, munching calmly.

  "Cap," Ice said, "we got what we came for. Let's bounce."

  Bze nodded. They backed out slowly.

  Then—crack.

  A boulder-shaped demon burst from a nearby tent, grabbing Ice and crushing his ribs. Bze leapt, bde fshing, and severed the creature's head in one clean strike.

  Ice gasped for air. The camp erupted.

  Demons poured from tents, shrieking. Bze shouted, "Fight!"

  They fought side by side bdes slicing, blood spraying. The ground turned slick with gore.

  "We can't fight forever!" Bze yelled.

  "We need to reach Sophie and Eve!" Ice stabbed a demon through the neck.

  Bze nodded. "On three—stab, punch, run!"

  They broke through, sprinting toward the woods. Aerial demons swooped overhead. Sophie and Eve fired arrows, covering them.

  Bze pulled the fre gun.

  Boom.

  Ace saw the signal. Mortars unched. The ground shook. Demons screamed.

  Ice and Bze ran through the chaos, mortar bsts tearing through the camp. Ace didn't stop. Fire rained down.

  The team regrouped at the edge of the woods, breathless, bloodied, alive.

  Behind them, the demon camp burned.