RALPH

For a heartbeat, everything stood still.

Keilah’s scream had stopped.

Her hands were frozen mid-pound against the invisible wall, her eyes wide and lips parted in horrified silence. I didn’t realise I was holding my breath, too, watching as Damien hit the ground like a lifeless sack, unmoving, smoke curling around his fallen form.

No sound. No wind. No time.

Just stillness.

And then I snapped.

I used that single flicker of distraction. My bones cracked, body shifted—fur tearing through skin as my claws hit the polished floor with a snarl.

I lunged.

The impact sent the Queen flying across the marble room, crashing into the far side with...