Samantha's eyes locked with the leader of The Collectors. His cold smile sent a chill through her, but she stood her ground. The stone in her pocket pulsed with energy, almost urging her forward.
"Marcus, Kai," she whispered into her earpiece, "he's coming for me. Get ready."
The leader's voice boomed across the square, unnaturally loud. "Come out, come out, wherever you are. Did you really think you could ambush us?"
Samantha stepped from the shadows, her stance defiant. "We're not here to play games. Leave this town and its people alone."
The leader laughed, a sound that echoed off the buildings. "Oh, but I do love games. And you've walked right into ours."
Suddenly, more Collectors emerged from the darkness, surrounding Samantha. She realized with a jolt that they had been waiting, hidden, all along.
"Now!" Samantha shouted into her earpiece.
