Heir to the Serpent incomplete dialogue excerpt 2

“Help me.” You wheeze at the strange furred and feathered creature in the business suit.

“Ignore him. He’s just trying to play on your sympathy.” The cottonmouth calls back behind.

“June, this is wrong, unconscionably so.”  “You can’t torture your husband. It-it’s inconceivable!”

“Don’t call me June, and don’t tell me what I can and cannot do.” “Saracen, do you like working here?”

“Of-of course, Mrs. Piscivora.”

“And what do you think of Papa?”

“He is a kind man and very lonely.”

“Less lonely around you lately I think.” The serpent’s keen eyes turn to the kikimora.  “Can you tell me why I hired you?”

“To act as your fiduciary, Mrs. Piscivora: to supervise the restoration of your estate, to hire servants and security staff, to review your accounts and to arrange for your polishing classes.”

“That’s right. As long as you do that, you’re free to pursue your own interests. Comfort Papa. Be his friend. Fuck him if you want. You can even marry him and make me a legion of little half-sisters. Papa deserves to be happy.” The humungous watersnake rises up on her tail. “But I am the head of this family now. You will show me the proper respect or I will put you back where I found you, in the gutter.”

“I understand Mrs. Piscivora. Though your language…”

“Don’t ever talk to me about how I treat my husband ever again. You don’t understand any of this, and it’s none of your business.”

“Yes, Mrs. Piscivora. My objections aside, this is a tremendous drain on your capital. The cost for a single month of his conditioning alone would put you through a year of your private schooling.”

“Give it time. I promise the rooms will be filled with the laughter of children again, and warmed by the love of both their parents.” “Trust me, this is the only way.”

“If you say so, Mrs. Piscivora.”

“You can go now.”

“As you wish.”