The Golden Cage Of Two Monsters
He moved with a sickening, fluid speed—a shadow fueled by the Rose.
I didn't think. I couldn't afford to. I reached into the briefcase, pulled out a handheld neuro-toxin grenade Lucian had kept as a "last resort," and threw it.
The explosion wasn't loud, but the cloud of white gas was instantaneous. The Russian soldier froze, his lungs seizing as the toxin neutralized the Rose in his blood. He collapsed, gasping for air that was no longer his to command.
I ran. I didn't look back at Yusuf. I didn't look back at the bodies. I reached the submersible's hatch, my breath coming in jagged gasps.