The host heading for the homesteaders picked up speed.
That was the moment when the others stepped in.
Lightning flashed in the corner of her vision as Lachlan's hand closed around the wrist of the runner.
Electric charge burst from his skin, searing through infected muscle. The parasite inside the host convulsed and shrank in on itself. Smoke rose from its chest as it cooked from the inside, the cords curling and blackening.
The host dropped limp to the ground.
Another lunged for him.
Luci hit that one first.
The dire wolf slammed into its side, teeth snapping closed on the upper arm. Flesh tore, bone crunched, and Luci shook his head once, hard. The arm of the host came free in a spray of dark fluid. The parasite threaded through the limb spasmed and hung limp from the torn shoulder.
