[Kaydence]
I place a hand on her wrist. "Stop."
She blinks up at me. In my mind I trace the rune for "peace" and watch in amazement as her body begins to relax, the flames melting away as her breathing stilled.
Queenie's first reaction is relief. Her face goes still, every crease leaving her features. But then just as suddenly her relief turns to anger.
"How dare you!" she screams pushing over the table and running for the back door. The other players stand in a rush as drinks, cards, and chips go flying. Shouts chase her retreating form as she dashes between players.
"Balance," I call out, tracing the rune with my hand and watch in amazement as Queenie falls backward, her arms pinwheeling.
"Tranquility," the room goes still, everything stopping as if time itself couldn't be rushed. The people who were once angry and pushing their way towards us stopped moving. Soon Queenie and I are the only ones moving.
"Grace," I finish the incantation, moving with the speed and agility of a dancer,
