Aurelia's POV
The snake slithered across Natalie's exposed abdomen, its scales glinting in the dim basement light. Her screams bounced off the concrete walls as she thrashed against the chains that bound her wrists and ankles—the same chains that had held me prisoner days ago.
"Please! Get them off me!" Natalie sobbed, her perfect blonde hair now matted with sweat and filth. "Julian will kill you all for this!"
I stood in the shadows, watching her torment with detached fascination. The guard I'd hired maintained his position by the door, occasionally spraying water to keep Natalie awake whenever exhaustion threatened to provide her escape.
"She must remain conscious," I reminded him, my voice hollow. "She needs to feel everything."
The guard nodded, his expression impassive. He was well-paid for his discretion—Tristan had made sure of that.
Another snake slithered from a box near Natalie's feet, joining its companions on her body. She screamed again, her voice growing hoarse.
