Hands slammed into Ronald’s shoulders. Shackles snapped around his wrists with a metallic finality that made something inside Kris snap right along with them. “No!” she screamed, her voice tearing out of her chest. “He didn’t attack anyone!” Ronald twisted, coughing hard, eyes wild but not feral. Not lost, not broken.
“I’m fine,” he rasped to her, even as guards hauled him backward. “Kris, stay calm.” Stay calm? The words detonated inside her. She surged forward, lungs still burning, vision blurry, but she didn’t stop. Didn’t hesitate. The guards holding Ronald faltered for just a fraction of a second as her scent flared sharp and hot, cutting through the chemical fog like lightning.
“Let Him Go.” Her voice wasn’t loud. It didn’t need to be. One of the guards froze outright. Another swor
