The door swung open.
Inside the interrogation room, Damon — the real Damon — lay unconscious with his back slumped against the stone wall.
His head slouched on one side, his chest rose and fell faintly, and dried blood soaked his cloak and the front of his robes.
But that wasn't what made Vaelor's blood run cold…
The room was full of snakes!
They covered the floor, they climbed the walls, they hung from the ceiling beams, and curled around the table and two chairs that occupied the room.
Thick, scaled serpents were wrapped around Damon's arms, his legs, his chest, his neck, pinning him in place like living restraints.
Most of them radiated the aura of the Mana Vortex Rank. Their bodies were small and large, and they were muscular. Their scales were dull and dark, but also bright and colorful. Forked tongues flicked in and out as they hissed softly, thier gaze fixed on nothing and everything at once.
But one snake stood out.
