When the barrier broke, the black rain stopped. Using it had taken a heavy toll on the grinning demon, and it would not use it again unless it had to. Now that the most troublesome barrier was down, it could turn to less expensive methods.

The cessation of the rain did no favors for the mood of the defenders. The Others were prowling on the edges tentatively, and more emerged from the smoky haze.

The grinning demon stood its ground, its grin stretching wide as the smell of fresh blood filled the air.

A heavy price it had paid, but now the shell was cracked, and the flesh inside was there for the taking.

With another inhuman...