Their blood crusted the floor, stretching out in dark brown, asymmetrical, pinwheeling patterns textured like rust. Dropped weapons lay alongside the bodies.

A loud clatter in front of Justin made him jump. He looked down and saw his sword wobbling on the stone floor. It had fallen out of his hands. He hadn't felt it leave his fingers.

Justin took an unsure step forward on weak legs. The sour stench of decomposition hit him, and the muscles in his throat spasmed. He covered his ...