A Slanted Beam

A sharp edge of pale heat laid itself across the floor. Moving past the silent radiator, I stepped forward. One heavy pace. Then another. My clawed foot pressed into the wooden grain, feeling the cool threshold give way to a bright, slanted rectangle. I halted directly within the yellow beam. The light struck the dorsal crests along my spine, radiating inward through the dark crevices of my hide. Solid. Warm. Tail anchored behind, I settled my weight into the planks, letting the slow morning warmth seep deep into my frame.