It was as if the whole world slowed. I felt the amulet break in my hand, and once it was gone, I dropped the silver along with it. A swirl of smoke arose from its ashes and soared into the sky, leaving nothing to indicate it ever existed.

It was over before he could reach me. We won.

The clanking of teeth and claws against one another ceased as the wolves stopped fighting amongst one another and watched the spectacle unfold.

Ariston seized his ...