Ren marched toward the scullery, her red puffer coat rustling loudly over the trailing robe, looking like a furious strawberry marshmallow.
But as she neared the stone archway, she slowed down. There was a crowd.
Dozens of snake beastfolk were clustered around the entrance, their tails twitching with nervous energy. They were craning their necks, trying to peek inside, whispering in hushed, hissing tones.
"Is it done?" "I heard the snap." "The King is cleaning house." "Heads are rolling today."
Ren's stomach dropped. 'Heads rolling?'
She shoved forward. "Excuse me. Move. Watch the tail. Coming through!"
She elbowed a large python guard in the ribs. He looked down, hissed, saw it was the King's new mate, and immediately scrambled out of the way as if she were radioactive. The crowd parted like the Red Sea, though they looked terrified.
Ren stepped into the scullery.
And then she screamed.
"WHAT ARE YOU DOING?!"
