It was chaos.
The barrier still held, so there was no way to send anyone out.
More than ten family members who couldn't fight were trapped inside the house — plus another ten who were forbidden from fighting, including Ruby's younger brother.
Ruby stood with her uncles and her father, all of them shielding the ancestral home her grandfather had loved.
"Gruoooh!" The inhuman thing growled as Ruby slammed her foot into its chest, knocking it back.
She clicked her tongue. She couldn't use her usual skills on these things — they'd lost themselves. You can only make someone kneel by striking at what haunts them, at their memories. These creatures had no self left to hurt.
"Guh!" A pained grunt made Ruby turn. Uncle Arbit was clutching his left arm while the monster chewed on his flesh.
Ruby's eyes went cold. She dove forward and shoved the man out of the way, driving her dagger into the beast's gut and pushing it back.
She flipped her blade into a reverse grip and took a stance.
