Chapter 285

• [Carnelia]
• Oaestr’s cold laughter chases the edges of my consciousness as my vision darkens, and the cold kiss of metal between my scales as it slips from my body, leaving its powerful sedative behind. My body grows impossibly heavy as warm, strong arms catch me, easing my fall.
• Before I can say the word “stop,” something covers my eyes, enters my mouth, and I feel myself gasping, struggling against the grasping thing slowly entering my throat.