Too slow for the first attack, but now the cats had lost the element of surprise. They had to be careful and agile and quick. The patients attacked and the cats fled, skidding to a stop and raising their hackles at them. They hissed, eyes reflecting the light from Shana's flashlight. Blood ran down the side of one of them, Shadow's knife having cut its left flank. The other had run before Valyn had been able to sink a hit.

Now they had a particular conundrum - there was light speeding at them. The cats split and ran as the bolt came at them, but the injured one couldn't get away fast enough. The magic hit it and it hissed, screaming as its muscles spasmed and it fell against the floor. The other turned and growled, darting back toward the group and attacking Shadow again.