The door exploded.
Not opened — *exploded*, wood splintering inward, and through the gap came a wall of black fur and fury.
Dax.
He hit the throne room like a storm. Guards poured in behind him — Ironcrest wolves, Ryder at the head — and for one chaotic moment the throne room became a battlefield. Steel clashed. Wolves snarled. Someone screamed.
Magnus shoved Lumi toward a guard. "Get her to the chamber!"
The guard ran.
Sera ran after him.
She caught him in the corridor. Tackled him. Wrestled Lumi from his arms. The guard snarled — went for her throat — and Sera's hand found her knife.
One clean cut. The guard went limp.
She clutched Lumi to her chest.
"Mama." Lumi's voice was a whisper. Trembling.
"I've got you." Sera's voice cracked. "I've got you. I'm here."
Behind her, the
