The snake was moving. Still alive. Still conscious. It began to unwind itself from around the beam, its long body descending slowly toward the ground.
Ryker was already shifting. Gideon had grabbed something sharp. Sorin was moving into a defensive position even though he was still recovering from his earlier injury.
But Neve just stood there, frozen, watching as the outcast revealed itself completely.
The snake was large. Massive, even. Its scales were dark and iridescent. Its eyes were intelligent and cold. This was not just a random animal. This was a beastman. A member of the snake tribe. An outcast who had deliberately infiltrated the cave and hidden himself to observe them.
To observe Neve.
"So," the snake hissed, his voice like wind through dead leaves, "you found me. The one who delivered the poison to your little leopard friend."
He looked directly at Neve.
