Chapter 55

Ronan's POV

Severin knew what Gideon was about to do. I could see it in the way he turned his body to block the open hand carved into the stone.

I tried to move him. Pain drove through the scar over my heart, and the chamber changed around me. I could feel wolves in the courtyard as clearly as I could hear their feet above us. Some were on their knees. Some fought to reach a gate. A few were holding children who did not understand why the adults had stopped moving.

Grimm rose at the children's fear. Help them.

The House supplied an answer before I found my own. One order from me could make everyone still. No one would be crushed on the stair. No one would run toward Severin with a drawn sword. I could spare Tamsin a fight and Mara another injured stranger. The thought was so reasonable that I felt my mouth begin to shape t