“Not only stealing, but now bringing snakes into the master’s house?”
“Relax, Mom, it’s not poisonous.”
But the snake had been dormant for too long; its body was weak. Chloe seemed to notice and grabbed a stool, smashing it down hard on the snake.
The snake writhed in pain. Even without human consciousness, it had always been gentle, never striking at people.
Martha, emboldened, picked up a nail-studded stick and beat the snake again and again until blood seeped between its scales.
“No!” I cried.
Grace had been weakened after protecting Richard and Ethan. If she were injured again, this sleep wouldn’t last just ten years—it could be forever. The high priest had told us to protect the snake at all costs. If it died, Grace would vanish from this world as well.
I threw myself over the snake, shielding it with my body. Nails drove into my back, tearing flesh. Blood poured from my mouth, staining its scales red.
The snake looked at me with sorrow, then shot forward, wrapping itself around Martha’s wrist to stop her from striking again.
“Damn snake, get off me!” Martha roared.
She seized its tail, swinging it violently, smashing it to the ground over and over. Blood streaks marked the floor.