Ouroboros Spine mother

Samani had never experienced pain the way he spoke of it. She regarded him with a cool expression. Her eyes were tracing the scars again with new thoughts, new perspective. The pale man boasted that he had not made a sound during this ceremony. She could not place why that settled sourly in her stomach. Perhaps because she did not like to imagine a young man suffering quietly – this was no reason to boast.

But Chakliux wanted to know about Samani. He claimed that they had discussed him enough. The bright berry gleam of his eyes made her stomach flip.

You must ask a question, Chakliux. What is it you wish to know?

She had asked, after all.