Page 46 of Chains of Nightshade

"The prodigal snake returns," she calls out, her voice carrying across the courtyard. "And with such interesting company."

My coils tighten instinctively. The urge to strike, to crush her throat, burns through my veins. But I remain at Vera's side, where I belong.

"Lady Morana." I bare my fangs in a mirthless smile. "Still hiding behind your guards? Some things never change."

Her eyes narrow, but her smile doesn't waver. "And you still wear those chains so well, Aurel. Though they're different onesnow, aren't they?" Her gaze shifts to Vera. "Trading one master for another. How fitting."

"The difference," I growl, "is that I chose these chains."

Vera's power crackles beside me, and I feel her tension. Lady Morana must sense it too because she takes a small step back, though she maintains her proud stance.

"Your new pet seems spirited," Morana says, her voice dripping with disdain. "But do you really think a defective slave can protect you from me?"

I laugh, the sound echoing off the mansion walls. "You still don't understand, do you? I'm not the one who needs protection." I glance at Vera, seeing the raw power emanating from her. "I'm just here to watch you fall."

"Watch your tongue," I snarl, my voice dropping to a dangerous growl. "Before I rip it out."

The noble's eyes narrow. "Still as arrogant as ever, serpent. Did you really think we wouldn't be ready for you?" He turns his attention to Vera. "And you, you worthless piece of filth. We should have killed you years ago."

My tail lashes against the ground, leaving deep grooves in the earth. Every word they speak about Vera feeds the rage building inside me. I want to tear them apart, to paint the walls with their blood.

"Careful now," another dark elf taunts. "The naga thinks he's in love with the human trash."

"Shut your fucking mouth," I hiss, my hands curling into fists. The urge to strike is almost overwhelming, but I hold myself back. This is Vera's revenge. I am merely her weapon now.

The noble raises his hand, magic crackling between his fingers. "You should have stayed in your hole, beast. We'll make sure you never see daylight again."

I bare my fangs, my voice dripping with venom. "Try it. I'll enjoy making you scream before you die."

Vera stands silent beside me, her power building like a storm about to break. I glance at her, waiting for her command. Every fiber of my being wants to launch forward and start ripping them apart, but I've sworn myself to her will.

These bastards will pay for every moment they hurt her. I'll make sure of that.

I watch in awe as Vera raises her hand, her eyes blazing with raw power. "This ends now," she says, her voice carrying the weight of years of suffering.

The air crackles around us as magic explodes from her body. The mansion's defensive wards shatter like glass, raining magical shards that dissipate before hitting the ground. The force of her power sends several dark elves stumbling backward.

"Kill them!" Lady Morana shrieks, her composed facade cracking. "Kill them both!"

The guards charge forward, weapons raised. I move instantly, my serpentine body flowing like water as I position myself between them and Vera. My tail whips out, catching the first guard across his chest. The impact sends him flying into two others.

"Stay behind me," I growl, catching a sword with my bare hands. Blood drips down my arm, but I barely feel it. I snap the blade and drive the jagged edge through the elf's throat.

More magic bursts from Vera, incinerating a group of archers on the wall. The heat of her power washes over my scales, but I don't flinch. Instead, I draw from it, letting her magic fuel my own strength as I tear through our enemies.

"Your left!" I call out, crushing another guard in my coils while deflecting a magical blast aimed at her.

A dark elf lunges at Vera with a dagger. I grab him by the throat, my fingers crushing his windpipe before throwing himaside. "You don't fucking touch her," I snarl, my voice thick with rage.

The courtyard becomes a symphony of screams and magical explosions. I stay close to Vera, my body moving in perfect sync with hers as we cut through the dark elf forces. Every movement, every kill, is for her protection. I am her shield, her weapon, her slave - and I wouldn't have it any other way.

Max's dark magic slices through the air, missing Vera by inches. My heart nearly stops at how close it came. I crush another guard in my coils, keeping my eyes fixed on her as she battles their leader.

"Your pet snake can't protect you forever," the noble sneers, his hands weaving complex patterns of corrupted magic. "You're still that worthless slave underneath all that power."

Vera's response is a blast of pure energy that shatters his shield. The force of it sends ripples through the air, making my scales tingle. Her power has grown beyond anything I could have imagined.

"Watch out!" I call, intercepting a guard trying to flank her. My tail whips around, catching him in the chest with a satisfying crunch. "They're trying to surround you."

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