Page 65 of Her Tortured Beasts

The scowl on my face is a permanent fixture now, especially as I have to walk around the castle with tits and ass out. Eugene, thankfully, was waiting by the new truck when I’d left The Jewel and he follows by my ankle once again, hidden from the monsters of the world. I wish I could do the same.

Flores is particularly smug in the one second I glance at him, but Selena and Lady Drakos go still in shock.

Selena’s mouth opens.

“One word, Selena,” the dragon king says, “and I return the children to Ragnar.”

My blood heats with rage. Whereisthis fucker called Ragnar?

Selena blinks furiously into her plate, and just when I think that’s that, she grits out between clenched teeth. “This. Is. Wrong.” She glares at her father. “You know it is. To show her there like that. And around the house!” She turns to Lady Drakos, her eyes beseeching. “Mother? Say something.”

The Lady Drakos sways in her seat as if she’s about to faint. I’m alarmed enough that I send a burst of healing towards her, hoping it’ll be enough to keep her upright.

“You would not understand the world of animuses,” Flores says, baring his teeth at his daughter. “This is a language that carves out respect with the underworld lords. This is a language they understand.” He gestures to me. “I trust it went well, Xander.”

“They were…amused,” Xander murmurs, sitting back in his seat in arrogant repose. That aura of darkness has only increased around him and even his father seems to be sensing that. Francesca subtly leans away from him where she sits in the chair adjacent to the king.

“I don’t care whattheythink,” Selena hisses.

“Sissy, stop,” Xander snaps, glaring at her. She looks at him like he’s betrayed her. “I’m trying to help you.”

“Oh, isthatwhat you’ve been doing?” she hisses with great venom.

Xander glowers at her while Flores levels his daughter a dangerous look. “You know where to go.”

“I refuse.”

I’m proud of Selena. In the short time I’ve known her, those tiny attempts to stand up for herself have never really led to anything. Perhaps she’s sensing that it’s time for something with more gusto.

Except then Flores snaps out his wrist and a whip of fire latches itself around her delicate throat. Selena lets out a choked scream before he drags her to the floor, the sound of sizzling skin and her choking filling my ears.

I hug myself, knowing this situation couldn’t get any worse, that I’m useless against the forces of both Xander and his father.

Lady Drakos slides off her chair sideways, collapsing to the carpet right in front of me. I cry out, reaching for her shoulder and rolling her into the recovery position onto her side.

“Don’t touch her!” Xander roars and flies at me, shoving me backwards so I slam into the wall with a thud. Xander crouches over his mother. “Father, I think Selena gets the message.”

Flores’ nostrils are flaring, his gaze cold and harsh as he continues his assault over his daughter, now lying prone and unmoving on the carpet for a moment longer, before his whip goes out in a puff of black smoke.

I huddle in the corner, my arms wrapped around myself, shaken by one of the worst days I’ve ever had.

“Take her to the tower,” Flores remarks to the servants. “Release her at dawn.”

I watch as a male and female servant hurry forward and scoop Selena off the floor and take her away.

A foul scent lingers in the air, and it smells of misogyny.

“Xander?” comes a weak voice. Lady Drakos is stirring where she still lies on the carpet. “I feel so tired.”

“It’s alright, Mother,” Xander says through gritted teeth. “The servants will take you to your room.”

A wheelchair is rushed in and Xander carefully lifts and places his mother in it. Lady Drakos is an unhealthy shade of grey, and I remember what Titus said earlier today.

But her illness makes no sense. Her dragon lineage should protect her from almost every common ailment, including old age, and she’s only in her fifties. Non-specific tiredness just isn’t a thing. It makes the healer in me want to problem solve this.

I glance back up at the table where Xander, Flores and Francesca have resumed eating.

My mouth twists in disgust as I realise that through the entire ordeal, Francesca stayed silent. I stare at her with suspicion and wonder if all dragon families are like this, and this is simply the type of dinner she’s used to.

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