The Living Keystone

Immobile as a petrified carcass of human flesh, our hero waits as the army of felines march closer. The ground rumbles, causing him to tremble in fear. Warm air escapes her nostrils as she faces him, nose to nose, and he sweats. "Who are you? And where did all these animals come from?" he asks, her fur scratching his forehead. Then his skin prickles and he learns she is the Lion Queen, and those animals are her loyal subjects.

"Blayz Attenbery," she says, her voice roaring between his ears, ...