Mirabelle was completely focused on reaching the finish line.
The decorated corridor leading toward the ballroom occupied all of her attention.
"NOW!"
The shout came from behind her.
Loud.
Sharp.
Commanding.
The lion Beastman, Cassian Valebane, lunged for the lynx female.
Before Mirabelle could even flinch in surprise, Silas reacted.
His shadows had warned him long before his ordinary senses had detected the approaching pair.
Long before he heard their footsteps.
Long before he caught their scent.
He had known they were no longer alone.
Known they were closing in.
Known they were heading straight toward them.
Nothing in his posture had revealed it.
He had continued walking calmly.
Continued listening to Mirabelle's directions.
Continued carrying her as though nothing had changed.
But beneath the surface every muscle had been prepared to explode into motion.
Every available sense remained locked onto the pair behind them.
And so the moment Cassian moved—
