Catherine’s fingers brushed the cold metal of the lock. Her mind screamed to run, but her body wouldn’t move. “You should head home, lady,” he said, stepping closer, voice lowering to something almost conversational. “Forget this, and no one gets hurt.”
The leopard growled again, louder this time, its eyes wide and fixed on Catherine or maybe the man behind her. He turned slightly, distracted for just a second. It was enough. Catherine pulled at the padlock. The metal groaned, then clicked open. The cage door shuddered, swinging outward.