Jason dangled in the air, Kaelen's massive clawed hand wrapped tightly around his collar. The reptilian's yellow eyes burned with irritation, his scaled snout inches from Jason's face. The smell of old blood and cheap ale wafted off him like cologne.
"Got something to say, little meat?" Kaelen rumbled, revealing rows of razor-sharp teeth.
Jason's mind raced. Thalion had no mana. Ylva was happily ignoring him. He was alone, dangling like a piñata in front of a creature that could probably bite his head off in one chomp.
Kaelen pulled back his free fist, ready to smash Jason's face into pulp.
"WAIT!" Jason screamed at the top of his lungs, his voice echoing through the suddenly quiet tavern.
Kaelen's fist froze mid-swing. His slit-pupiled eyes narrowed. "What?"
Jason's heart was pounding so hard he could feel it in his throat. He had maybe three seconds to say something that wouldn't get him killed.
"You have... really nice skin," Jason blurted out.
Silence.
