The Mad Dog grinned at me. He stood at the far end of the square, a group of soldiers at his back. "You have surprised me, Princesse. I thought you incapable, but here you are. You have accepted your lineage! The gods must be proud that their prized creation has finally stepped up to fulfill her birthright. Now, we will have plenty of time to discuss that later. I do ask that you unhand the boy. Surely, you are not so far gone to gut him like some lowly animal. Although, I see you have already done so to his mother."
Vincent wheezed beneath my weight, but I didn't move. My talons curved around his shoulders, the tips digging into his skin. He winced, his arm struggling to grab his sword that lay discarded in the dirt. It would do him no help. Even if he was able to get ahold of it, the
