Page 131 of Crowned In Venom

The light flickers again, revealing patches of exposed bone, melted skin clinging to its frame like wax dripping from a candle.

It is not human. Nor dark elf. It’s not anything she has ever seen.

It is not anything that should exist.

I take a step back, my shackles clanking against each other.

"What—what are you?"

It laughs.

A wet, gurgling sound, like something drowning in its own decay.

"What am I?" it repeats, mocking.

It takes a step forward, its misshapen body shifting, something cracking beneath its own weight.

"Who are you?"

I do not answer.

Instead, I move farther against the wall, my breath coming too fast.

But the thing does not stop.

What if it eats me?

I can’t die here.

It sniffs the air.

"You scream for him."

Its voice is deep, grating, as if it has long forgotten how to speak.

"Varkos."

My pulse hammers.

"Why?"

I stare, trying to keep my voice steady.

"Why do you care?"

It tilts its head, too sharp, too quick.

"How does he look?"

My stomach drops.

"How old?"

I hesitate. Why is it asking these things?

"I—I don’t know."

It huffs, its massive chest shuddering with irritation.

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