The moment the heavy door slammed shut behind Julian, the room snapped into motion like a living beast awakened. Dust stirred, lights flickered, and the steady hum of electricity seemed to spike in volume. Time compressed into heartbeats, sharp and uneven.
Cambria moved without hesitation. Her arms wrapped instinctively around her son, pulling him close, his small body warm and fragile against hers. His wide eyes blinked up at her, innocent and unaware of the war raging beyond these walls. She was his shield now. No one else would touch him.
Maddox was already moving, crossing the room in long, determined strides to barricade the heavy door with anything sturdy he could find. His jaw was clenched, his eyes hard, betraying a storm of frustration beneath his cold exterior.
