chance to reconsider, but as a direct challenge to her auth

ou?" she hissed. "Looks like I' ll h

swung her arm back and s

AC

ploded on my cheek. The sound echoed in the cavernous room. Her rings

unned. No one had laid a ha

fury surged

of them grabbed my arms from behind, pinning them back so hard I thought my shoulde

shouted, strugglin

ast, leaving me co

t of her lips. She stepped forward and

my ears started ringing. My face was on fire, each slap a fresh wave of agon

ted between slaps. "Huh? Who' s t

ad back so I was forced to look at her. Her fac

seethed. "You will learn to resp

tried to make them understan

d, my voice hoarse. "Mark is a k

AC

than the rest. My vision blurred, and

renda screamed. "Still t

with a guttural roar, kic

have collapsed to the floor if her friends weren't still hold

t my stomach with a

grandson," she muttered. Then, a sick, sly look came

ne of her croni

with them and pulled out a small, wriggling burlap sack

red toad. It blinked its beady eyes

Brenda said, a grotesque smile spreading across her face.

ming creature up i

to secure the Davis family li