Snareel gazed lazily at the back of his paw, now studded with diamonds. His underlings had procured this offering from a merchant in the central district. He sat comfortably on his throne, a dog’s barking head and clawed paws were masterfully carved into its crest and shoulders.

The cavern was nothing compared to his room at home, with its golden bed, basin and silky cushions, luscious herbal fragrances, and the living tapestries and rugs made of orchid flowers. He'll have to make do with their musty hideout for now.

Raknae stood beside him, sorting out their treasure stash. His efficiency was unmatched, considering his many arms and eyes. One of Raknae’s beady eyes flitted to the corridor. Dirt and rubble were brushed aside as Hyssss and Kobre slithered into the cavern.

They were deathly silent after uttering, “bossss” and bowing their heads.

Something was amiss. Snareel waited for a minute. Only clanking could be heard as Raknae continued sorting through their wares.

“Do not waste my time,” barked Snareel, scrutinizing them with his slanted, dead eyes. “Speak up, NOW.” His entire body pulsed for a moment, his body as volatile as his temperament.

Raknae interrupted, “Careful, Boss, you don’t want to lose your temper,” the Blood cautioned. Snareel tried to regain his composure. He shook his non-existent mane, the regal animalistic gesture giving more the impression of a dog shaking its ears. He then adjusted the diamonds on his knuckles subconsciously as his form settled.

The two snakes recoiled at the strange sight they had just observed. Hyssss was then elbowed painfully on the side by Kobre.

“Bossss,” Hyssss started reluctantly. “The informant hass made uss aware that Wassp hass been captured.”

Snareel’s eyes narrowed, “Where is the oaf now?”

“In the Hub, bossss.” Hyssss didn’t dare to look up.

“How was he captured?” Snareel snapped.

Hyssss shifted uneasily. “Apparently, he went after that mynah from the other day and losst.”

“That blundering buffoon!” growled Snareel. He had been wondering why the cavern had been so peaceful lately. “I ordered him to lie low for a while!”

Hyssss looked like he wanted to correct him by saying that Wazp was a wasp, but thought better of it.

“What sshall we do, bossss?” asked Kobre.

Snareel pondered for a moment, rubbing his pointed ear. Raknae met his eye; he seemed itching for action again. Snareel shook his head slightly. The Hub was essentially impenetrable from the outside, even for Raknae. He was not going to risk losing his right-hand man for a new kid, especially not for a clumsy, clueless insect.

But the oospad lad was an important asset, if only he were smarter. “Make sure he remains silent for now,” he ordered. “We’ll deal with him after.”

“You want me to deliver a message, boss?” someone asked from the shadows, making his way through the corridor.

The repugnant odor wafting into the cavern made Snareel reflexively turn his nose up in disgust. His underlings gasped as they plugged their noses. Raknae appeared unaffected, continuing his task without slowing down. Or did he speed up?

“Yes,” Snareel uttered. “Tell him what he needs to do. Now leave. Your stench is enough to suffocate us here.”

The Blood bowed and retreated further into the darkness until he was gone. But the cursed stench remained.

“Ack! Why do you enlisst the sservicess of that foul ssmelling B’lode, bossss?” Kobre spat the question.

A metallic web flew out of nowhere, flattening Kobre’s face and the rest of him to the cavern wall. Raknae was bristling with anger, instinctively attacking anyone with the gall to question his boss.

Snareel then got up from his throne and walked over to Kobre, his hands crossed behind his back. “That foul-smelling messenger has a few talents that are of use to me,” he said, his voice cool and sharp. He rubbed the diamonds on his knuckles again until they sparkled even in the dark, cavernous room.

“Besides, I don’t believe I have to explain myself to the likes of you,” he continued, forcing Kobre’s face against the cave wall until it sank into it. “Do I make … myself … clear?!”

“Yurss, Lurd Ssnureel,” Kobre strained, his voice muffled by the cavern’s wall.

“Good. Now get out of my sight.” Snareel turned around and proceeded back to his throne. Raknae retrieved his web, easily plucked Kobre’s trapped head out of the wall, and shoved him into the repugnantly stinky corridor. Hyssss followed promptly, afraid to be left alone with their angered boss and his eight-legged watchdog.