"DON'T LEAVE HIM!"

Eve shouted her throat raw while the rest of the squad dragged her away, returning fire across the street as they went. Royce's body disappeared after they ducked into an alley only wide enough for two people to walk abreast at a time.

"Teth," Eve said while he pushed her forward, gently but firmly. "We have to go back for him!"

"Royce is dead," Teth said. His eyes narrowed as if even he didn't believe it. "We have to ...