But how likely were all of us to survive this much carnage?

I wasn’t good with numbers, but even I knew the answer to that.

Chapter 28

TOO LATE! TOO LATE!

VERY IMPORTANT DATE!

Anima must have done something to divert authorities away from the house, because, despite the sirens, no one but River and his boys ever showed up to help. We were on our own, becoming more desperate by the minute.

The van, our fastest means of escape, had just been bombed. Thank God everyone inside it had exited in time.

“I’ve done triage before.” River motioned for Bronx and Veronica to place their charges on a flat plot of land. “Keep zombies at a distance, and I’ll take care of the girls.”

The two, plus two others from River’s crew, formed a protective circle around him. The rest of us continued digging, fighting, ducking, digging again. I pushed myself hard, harder, screaming Kat’s name until I grew hoarse. By the end of the first hour, I was trembling so violently, I probably looked like I was having a seizure.

“Ali, go over there and let River check you out,” Cole said.

“No!” I threw a block of concrete to the side. I had to find Kat.

“You have to stop. If you keep this up, you won’t be on your feet much longer, and we need you on your feet.”

“I’m not going to pass out.” My gaze caught on something sticking out from a pile of rocks. I dug faster, saw...Mr. Ankh’s hand! “Help me free him.”

Everyone crowded around me. Together, we managed to clear the debris. His eyes were open, and—

Staring straight ahead, I realized. At nothing. My excitement withered. His mouth was parted on a pained gasp he’d never gotten to finish. His chest was crushed, flatter than it should have been.

He was dead, and there was nothing we could do to save him.

Razors in my chest. Reeve had just lost everything. Her father, her only family. Her home and refuge. All of her possessions.

No. Not everything. She still had Bronx. But I knew how badly she was going to hurt. How horribly she would suffer. How she would blame herself, and hate herself, and relive what had happened.

Can’t break down. Not now.

Kat needed me.

I threw wood and plaster and glass over my shoulder, screaming, “Kat. Kat! We’re here. We’re not leaving without you. Hold on, okay. Just hold on.”

Pop. Pop. Pop.

“That’s gunfire,” River called, holding a rag against Juliana’s wound. “Anima sent in the troops. We’re screwed if we stay here.”

I didn’t care.

Pop. Pop. Pop.

“Weapons?” Cole demanded.

As the slayers told him what they had on hand, a low moan caught my attention.

“I’m staying behind to—” Frosty began.

“Shut up!” I screeched. Still as a statue, I listened. More gunfire. The hiss of flame. The crackle of burning wood. I ignored the sounds, concentrating. Then...

Another moan, soft but sure.

I rushed over to where I thought they had come from and heaved pieces of wood and glass out of the way, ignoring the sharp stings in my palms. And then I saw her. My sweet, sweet Kat.

Her collarbone was broken, the end cutting through her skin. There was an angry gash over her pelvis, and one of her legs was twisted in the wrong direction. But her eyes were open, and unlike Mr. Ankh’s, they focused. She was alive! Happiness and relief bombarded me.

Her arms were wrapped around an unconscious Jaclyn, providing a first line of defense, protecting. Even now. She smiled weakly, blood gurgling from the corners of her mouth.

“She’s here!” I shouted.

“Finally,” she whispered. “Had to be...last one to...arrive at party. Grand entrance...my thing.”

“Shh, shh, kitten.” Frosty shoved me aside to kneel beside her. “Save your energy, all right.”

I rushed around to her other side, saying to Frosty, to anyone who would listen, “We need to get her to the nearest hospital. And someone call Detective Verra. She— No,” I gasped out.

Kat had bite marks on her arms. The flesh was black, oozing.

Zombie toxin.

Frosty must have noticed, too; he sucked in a sharp breath.

You can sit here, panicking, or you can act. “Does anyone have the antidote?” As soon as I’d learned what the fire could do, I’d stopped carrying mine. But civilians like Kat couldn’t tolerate the fire. They ashed as quickly as zombies.

Frosty and I waited, tense. Desperate.

No one spoke out.

“Anyone,” he shouted. “Please.”

Then we heard the sweetest words this side of heaven. “I do.” Chance bounded over from triage, with a tiny plastic vial in his hand. “It’s only half a dose. We didn’t come with enough for everyone, so I’ve been doling out sips. It’ll keep her symptoms at bay until you can get her a proper injection.”

Frosty poured the contents down her throat.

“Kat,” I said, doing my best to disguise my fear. Time wasn’t our friend. Had just become slayer enemy number one.

Just?

Her gaze shifted to me, and she offered a small smile. “My Ali. Helped me...live.”

“And that’s not going to change. Do you hear me? You’re going to continue to live. I promise. And you know I never lie.” I met Frosty’s wild gaze. “Do it now.”

He gently lifted her into his arms. The pain should have been excruciating for her, but she didn’t even cringe. That wasn’t good. I knew that wasn’t good.