Ren stood paralyzed at the bottom of the winding stone staircase, her breath catching painfully in her throat.
A sudden, horrifying wave of recognition washed over her. She knew exactly where they were. She had snuck down here before. And for her escape, she had unleashed a massive fire, injuring and killing countless of these snakes in the process.
Deep, nauseating guilt gnawed at Ren's chest. She stared at the shifting mass of scales, wondering just how many of the survivors from that blazing fire were currently in this very bunch, silently plotting their revenge. She honestly wouldn't even blame them for holding a grudge, but getting slowly devoured by a vengeful mob of reptiles was not how she wanted to die.
Syris stopped walking, noticing that she stopped. He looked at her pale face. "Do not fear them," Syris reassured her smoothly, his amethyst eyes calm. "They will not hurt you."
