Plymouth's sea breeze carried an indescribable salty, fishy dampness. Heavy clouds shrouded the sky, and the old ships moored in Devonport Dockyard were covered in rust. The setting sun scattered a trail of diamonds across the wave crests, and through the gaps in the tattered sails, spray could be seen splashing like pale fingers, etching marks into the ancient reefs.
A somewhat battered black car pulled up by the roadside. Several figures rushed into the pillbox before the last of the sunlight faded. A thick smell of blood wafted from beyond the entrance. Jim forced open the door, gripped his weapon in both hands, hunched over, and advanced step by step.
Red Robin lowered his head to inspect the bloodstains on the floor, then looked toward the stairwell. "They're underground."
Before his words had even faded, Bennett transformed into a bat and swooped down. The others followed close behind, and the moment they burst into the basement, they saw Kaz's shriveled corpse lying at the center of a mysterious Magic Circle.
All his blood had been drained, forming streams guided by magic. They ran along the formation's runic lines toward a single direction.
Constantine looked up. At the end of the formation were countless bloody fragments and Slime, resembling a shattered egg.
"They're using Kaz's blood to hatch something..." Constantine's boots made wet, squelching sounds as they stepped onto the blood. He started toward Kaz's body, but Red Robin stepped forward and stopped him.
"I have forensic experience. Step back and let me examine him."
Constantine glanced at him, but still halted. Red Robin approached, turned Kaz's corpse over with his hands, and examined the gaping hole in his chest.
"His heart was removed first, then every drop of blood was drained from his body. They even squeezed every last