Weak to bush leaves

Demon blood spilled on the leaves of her glove . She stared , stunned , knowing the burning would begin , knowing her skin would bubble . She felt the heat rise , instant and fast . And then , nothing . Coming to her senses , she wiped her gloves against the ravine’s dirt wall . She stared through the leaves that had turned from crimson to grey ash , stared through the strands , examined areas of exposed skin — red welts rising up , painful , demanding . But no smoke . No bubbling flesh . What was happening ?

***

The crossbow bolt punched into the demon’s back , just below the backsticks , just left of the spine . The monster turned sharply , long head searching for its attacker .

***

“ Liyah , ” he said . “ What’s … what’s happening ? ” Her heel caught a rock and she fell backward , falling to her ass just as the demon had . She scrambled to her knees , saw her little friend . She snatched it up , squatted next to Brandun , the blade tip pointed at the demon . Creen’s hidey - suit - covered head popped up from the ruined pile of rocks . “ It’s dying , ” he said . He sounded different , and not just because he’d screamed himself hoarse . He sounded like a person who had endured something that would change him forever . The demon jerked , rolled from its left side to its right . The toothtongue shot out and clamped down on empty air . The beast’s back arched , its arms reaching out toward nothing . “ I hope it hurts , ” Creen said . “ That’s your blood coagulating , you piece of shit . That’s chunks of ash clogging in whatever passes for your heart . ” The demon’s arms dropped , limp . Its chest rose and fell .

***

Aliens: Phalanx, Chapter 33