"No... No..." She shook her head and babbled, "You're only a snake! You can't turn into a man! I don't believe it!"
Pearl didn't answer her.
He walked up to me, raised one hand, and snapped the chain around my wrists.
My strength gave out, and I fell into his arms.
He looked down at me and wiped the blood from my face. His voice was hoarse. "I'm sorry. I came too late."
I shook my head. "You didn't. You came at exactly the right time."
He gently settled me against the wall, then turned toward Vanessa.
For the 1st time, I saw an expression he had never shown around me.
His face was as cold as ice, but beneath it burned a rage unlike anything I had ever seen.
"You said you wanted her to die slowly."
Vanessa dropped to her knees. "I'm sorry! I was wrong! I shouldn't have hired anyon
