Page 276 of Psycho Beasts

She raised her hand. “Now, Aran, have you stopped sleeping in bed with Sadie now that she’s in a pack relationship with four men? Since you’re just her friend?”

The therapist narrowed her eyes at us.

She thought we were secretly in a relationship and couldn’t understand our dynamic (she didn’t know Aran was secretly a girl; that was confidential information above her clearance).

“No,” Aran said as she looked at me and grinned. “I can’t fall asleep if I’m not in the bed with her. I tried once, and it was awful.”

Dr. Palmer scowled. “You are aware that is not healthy, and you’re avoiding your personal problems by relying on Sadie. Which is unsustainable. Also, you’re hindering her romantic relationships as well as your own.”

“What possible relationships could I have?”

Aran laughed at such a ridiculous idea.

The one-hundred-thousand-credit cream had worked wonders for her itching, but her back still burned when she was turned on.

Plus, it didn’t help that she was a wanted monarch on the run and disguised as a boy.

“Actually—” I pursed my lips. “—it’s nicer sleeping with her. Don’t worry, I have sex in Xerxes’s nest with the men, like, constantly. But the men are all big and have a tendency to lie on top of me and crush me. I prefer to go to sleep with Aran after. It’s calmer.”

Aran gagged.

The therapist’s wrinkles pulled tighter.

She closed her eyes while breathing deeply.

When she spoke, it was through gritted teeth.

“Isn’t it true, Aran, that you’re still trying to strangle Sadie in her sleep? I’m not sure how that is a calm experience.”

“Hey,” I said in defense of my friend. “A little smothering never hurt anyone. I’m a big girl and can fight her off.”

Dr. Palmer dragged her hands across her face like she was at her wits’ end.

“The point is you shouldn’t have to fight for your life every night. That’s not healthy.”

I scoffed. “Sometimes we snuggle. Don’t make it weird.”

Aran nodded. “Sadie’s cool like that.”

The therapist’s voice rose, which was highly unprofessional. “Have you at least stopped smoking, Aran? I know you were using the enchanted drug as a crutch.”

“I’ve actually quit completely.”

Dr. Palmer’s eyes widened with surprise, and her face softened for the first time during our appointment. “Wow, that is actually very impressive, Aran. I’m proud of you for facing your—”

She stopped talking as Aran pulled out her pipe and took a long draw.

“Just kidding. I can’t go ten minutes without it.”

Dr. Palmer’s eyebrow twitched.

A few minutes later, we were walking back into the mansion.

“I don’t understand why she kicked us out. That was so rude,” Aran said with annoyance as we entered the foyer.

I threw my hands up in agreement. “I get it—we’re not perfect—but she doesn’t have to be such a bitch about it? Like what does she want me to do, cry all day because I have terrifying scars and a cool knife? Sorry I’m not lame.”

Aran nodded aggressively in agreement. “Exactly. Like okay, I’m not perfect. Sometimes I smother people in my sleep. It happens.”

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