The moment the thing spoke, the warehouse exploded into motion.
Elias didn't hesitate—he drew his revolver and fired.
The gunshot cracked through the air, the muzzle flash illuminating the creature's twisted form for a split second. The bullet hit center mass.
The shapeshifter barely flinched.
Instead, it twisted its head toward Elias and grinned.
Then it moved.
Not a run. Not a leap.
It blurred.
One second, it was across the warehouse. The next—it was standing in front of him.
Elias barely had time to react before a clawed hand slammed into his chest, hurling him backward. He crashed into a stack of crates, pain detonating through his ribs.
Dave and Jonas opened fire, bullets ripping through the dark. The creature jerked with each impact—but it didn't slow.
Lucien raised her hands and began to chant, her voice cutting through the chaos. Symbols burned into the air, glowing briefly before vanishing. The creature screeched, recoiling from whatever spell she'd conjured.
Evelyn grabbed Elias' arm and pulled him to his feet.
"We need a plan—now!"
The creature turned toward them. Its form shifted—bones cracking, skin rippling. Crane's face melted away, replaced by something far worse:
A smooth, featureless void where a mouth should've been.
Then it spoke again—
But this time, it didn't use Crane's voice.
It used Elias'.
"You can't stop me, detective."
A cold chill ran down Elias' spine.
Dave stepped forward, pumping his shotgun.
"Yeah? Let's test that theory."
He fired. The blast slammed the creature back, black ichor splattering across the concrete floor.
Lucien shouted, "We can't kill it conventionally! It's still regaining strength—we have to bind it before it fully reforms!"
Elias gritted his teeth. "Then do it!"
Lucien's eyes sparked. She raised both hands and slammed them together. A shockwave of energy pulsed outward, knocking everyone off their feet—including the shapeshifter.
It crashed to the floor, shrieking, its body flickering between human and beast.
Jonas groaned, pushing himself upright. "Is that good or bad?"
Lucien's breathing was ragged. "It's weak. But not for long."
The creature twitched, then began to crawl toward Elias—movements erratic, limbs cracking.
Elias leveled his revolver again.
"I don't think it got the message."
Lucien turned to Dave. "We need to trap it. There should be a containment sigil in the book—"
Evelyn's eyes widened.
"The book?"