The scream still rang through the air as Kathryn collapsed to the floor. Her body shuddered in shock, her remaining eye rolling wildly, lips trembling as blood painted her chin.
Hades crouched beside her, blood dripping from his fingers. The silence in the room was suffocating, no one moved, no one dared to speak.
"Now," Hades said coldly, his voice devoid of mercy. "Let's move to the next."
He grabbed her roughly by the hair, ready to dig his fingers into her other eye when Lucian's voice rang out.
"Your Highness..."
Hades paused, eyes narrowing in irritation. His fingers remained tangled in Kathryn's blood-matted hair as he turned his head slowly to face Lucian, one brow raised. "This better be important, uncle."
Lucian stepped forward, flinching ever so slightly at the mangled sight of Kathryn's disfigured face. He composed himself, folding his arms behind his back, jaw set.
