Page 7 of Psycho Beasts

Rain slashed against the window as the wind shrieked.

For the first time in my life, I passed out.

Chapter 1

Sadie

RAINY STREETS

I carried Aran’s limp body down the abandoned side street. Rain slammed against us and the wind howled as I struggled to carry her.

We’d been told to follow our driver down the alley.

The main streets were full of shifters carrying dark umbrellas and running into buildings, but the alley was abandoned.

I wished I had a coat to protect myself. Compared to the warm temperatures in the fae realm, the rain was cold and biting. A powerful gust of wind tunneled between the skyscrapers and pushed me backward.

“Let me carry her,” Cobra growled at me for the fifth time and postured like he was going to take Aran from me.

“Stay the fuck away,” I snapped as I adjusted her clammy body in my arms.

I was too sleep-deprived and emotionally distraught to deal with his energy right now.

Aran was built lean but was still half a foot taller than me, and it wasn’t easy carrying her, but she was my best friend. She’d want me to be the one carrying her.

No one else.

Cobra’s eyes flickered to snake eyes, and the jewels embedded in his skin writhed. They flashed between gems and shadow snakes.

Now that he wasn’t wearing the enchanted collar, pure power emanated from him.

I was confused how I’d ever thought he was something other than his beast form. Cobra screamed danger.

My shadow snake zipped across my back and sent me images of love and happiness.

I glared at Cobra and didn’t let his snake distract me. I was onto him and his games.

“She won’t let me help her,” Cobra said to Jax, who was occupied spreading his arms out wide to shield his three sisters from the rain.

Jax rolled his eyes.

“You’re whining like a baby,” Jinx said sharply before Jax could say anything.

Cobra glared down at her. “How old are you?”

Jinx’s dark eyes flashed with annoyance as she sneered at Cobra, “I’ll have you know, I’m already twelve years old.” Her ire was highly amusing because she was not only Jax’s youngest sister, but she was also barely five feet tall.

Cobra was a giant compared to her.

With her small stature, pale skin, dark eyes, and midnight-black hair, Jinx looked like a little girl from a horror movie—right at home among rainy streets and towering steel buildings.

Cobra laughed. “I’m over a hundred. You’re actually a child, so you grow up.”

“The fact that you’re telling me to grow up is embarrassing for you.” Jinx huddled against Jax’s side as a sharp gust of wind slammed against us.

Jax had to grab onto her shirt to stop the wind from pushing her slight frame backward.

“I’m on her side,” Ascher said as he walked beside me, scanning for threats like he was my personal bodyguard. He looked the part, tattoos covering every exposed inch of his body besides his face and onyx horns jutting off his golden head.

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