She frowned, slightly confused.

"The Host," Ash murmured darkly.

There was a great rushing noise, like thousands of leaves rustling in the wind. There was a ragged cloud moving toward them at a frightening speed, blotting out the sky and stars.

"Hang on," Puck said, and grabbed Claire's hand.

She just watched silently.

The black mass rushed toward them, screaming with a hundred voices. There were dozens of faces, eyes, open mouths, before it was upon them. Cold, cold fingers snatched at Claire, bearing her up. Her feet left the ground in a rush, and she was hurtling skyward. Icy wind surrounded her, tearing at her hair and clothes.

Super confused and shocked she waits till shes put back down.

It was unsure how long the Host carried them through the sky, screeching and wailing in their unearthly voices. But what should have been hours felt like only minutes before her feet hit solid ground.

"Finally..." She let's out a breath of relief.

They stood on the outskirts of an enormous factory. Across a bright parking lot, lit with neat rows of glowing streetlamps, a huge glass, steel and cement monstrosity loomed at the edge of the pavement. Though the lot was empty, the building itself didnt look damaged in any way: no smashed windows, no graffiti streaking the sides. Gremlins--hundreds, if not thousands of them--scuttling over the factory like ants. The blue lights were the glow of their fangs, hissing, shrieking and baring teeth at each other.

"Spooky."

"A gremlin nest," Grimalkin mused, watching the swarm curiously. "Leanansidhe said the gremlins congregate in places that have a lot of technology. It makes sense Virus would come here, too."

"I know this place," Ash said suddenly. He was gazing at the plant with a small frown on his face. "I remember Virus talking about it when I...when I was with her." The frown grew deeper, and a shadow crept over his face. He shook it off. "Theres supposed to be a trod to the Iron Kingdom inside."

Puck nudged Claire's arm and pointed. "Look at that."