Page 129 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

SECRETS

The Legionnaire Games: Day 30, hour 11

The haze lifted.

For a few blessed hours, the world was a warm, bright place filled with Sadie, John, and warm hugs.

I laughed with John as three fake fae lunatics bowed and kissed my knuckles.

For once, everything was going my way.

I had an overwhelming urge to light scented candles and gossip with Sadie about how stupid the kings were. Go for a nice breezy jog. Paint my nails red and put on lip gloss.

In my mind I was fashionable and carefree.

In reality, there was no reality. I played pretend.

Malum even retracted his earlier statement and said we could rest. Blessings were truly raining down around me.

I shuffled down the lightning-streaked hall, leaning against John. To an outside observer, it would seem like we had our arms across each other’s shoulders in a friendly embrace.

John was fully supporting me.

Whatever they’d done to slow our healing was really screwing up my joints.

I hobbled. Stabbing pain shot through my hips and knees as cartilage popped and snapped.

Sweat dotted my brow as John leaned to his right so he was basically carrying me.

“Dude, I’m fine,” I said casually and tugged away from his grip.

John smirked. “Sure, dude.” His grip tightened, and he didn’t release me.

I didn’t fight him.

How did I get such loyal friends?

John had hauled my ass out of the freezing ocean, fought next to me in battles, matched my pace on runs, and helped me get away with murder. And Sadie had almost started an inter-realm war in her quest to save me from this academy.

I was lucky.

My heart was full of warmth.

So lucky.

Malum stopped in front of our door, and his harsh features pulled up into an evil sneer. “Change of plans. We’re going to let off some steam.”

His meaning doused me with a bucket of cold water.

Then Malum grabbed my arm and said I couldn’t go to the library.

My spirits sank further.

I was bound to them and couldn’t leave.

Then, to add insult to injury, Scorpius devoured Orion’s mouth and distracted the only devil that might have been on my side.

I ignored the streaks of pain that lit up my back as they kissed. And I didn’t dwell on the images of Orion and Scorpius kissing while I lay between them, which flooded my brain.

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