The elders were bound tightly, trussed up like dumplings, unable to move even an inch. The color drained from their faces as they looked toward Rory, who was calmly examining Melanie's storage ring.
Panic broke them.
"Lady Rory, spare us!"
"We're innocent—we don't know anything!"
One elder burst into tears, dragging himself forward as best he could. "It was all Melanie and that human female, Bree! It has nothing to do with us!"
He cried and wailed, throwing every bit of blame away as if he had never lifted a finger.
"Yes, yes! It was all them!"
The others echoed desperately, scrambling to distance themselves.
Rory didn't even look at them.
She drew out several chains from the ring, identical to the one now biting into Melanie's flesh.
A faint smile touched her lips, but her eyes remained cold.
She handed the chains to Xarion.
"Put these on them."
Xarion took them without hesitation and walked toward the elders.
