Desperate Sanctuary

The heavy wooden chair shrieked across the floorboards as Vanya shot to her feet. The violent sound sliced through the morning chatter, freezing half a dozen pups with wooden swords raised in the air.

She did not see the sprawling hall or the startled faces. The crushing weight of her brother's terror had funneled her entire existence into a single, breathless focal point.

"Malachi!" Her shout