Mace had shot it twice, and the creature had retreated, but not before leaving a deep gash in Aroha’s arm. Now they moved through the parking garage in single file, Mira in front with her laptop open—she had hacked into the Cryo‑Ark’s security cameras and was using them to map the interior in real time—followed by Rangi with the hunting rifle, then Helena and Aroha, and finally Mace with the shotgun pointing backward, watching for pursuit. The hum was louder here, echoed by the concrete walls, but it was not constant.
