Riku eased the Rezvani down the broken street, engine low, headlights off. The fight with the Night Hunters still echoed in his bones. His ribs burned where claws had slammed him, and his thigh ached from the kick, but he kept his hands steady on the wheel. Behind him, the girls were quiet—too quiet. Fear hung in the cabin like smoke.
"Everyone okay?" he asked without looking back.
"Still alive," Suzune said softly. Her face was pale, but her voice was steady. She had one hand on Hana's knee, keeping the little girl calm.
"I'm fine," Hana whispered, though her voice shook.
Miko hugged herself and gave a small nod. Ichika only muttered, "Barely," while staring out the window like the shadows might leap at them again.
Riku kept scanning the road. They needed shelter, somewhere to lay low until morning. Driving all night was asking for trouble—engine noise would keep pulling the dead. But finding a safe spot in Tokyo wasn't easy. Too many ruined buildings, too many broken doors.
