Chapter 81

HAZEL

He grabbed a fistful of my hair and pulled my head back. It felt like my scalp was being peeled off and my hair being pulled from the roots while his other hand released my arms and circled my neck—I realized that it was his claw that had dug into my throat and sent the poison into my skin.

“Why does the Elder care if I watch?” I seethed.

The Elder was leaned back in his chair not sparing us a single glance—he didn’t seem to mind whether I watched or not.

Zade chuckled behind me and looked at the Elder—I drew a breath and held it when he rested his hand on my collarbone and his claw scraped the surface of my skin.

“He doesn’t,” he said behind me.

I tried to whip my head around but I couldn’t move. The smell of melting wax and oak swirled around us and it mixed with the scent of the human girl.

They passed her around like a rag doll, each one taking their turn and I watched in numbing horror as they bent her over the table and one of th