Page 181 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

I staggered down the empty halls, and I glanced back to find the rest of the legion following behind. My teammates all looked sleep-deprived, and each one wore a scowl.

When I walked into the hall, people turned.

Stared.

Dinner had already started. Chairs squeaked, forks clattered, and the sharp noises echoed like gunshots through my sensitive ears.

My eyes locked on Sadie.

I walked to the dais.

I kept my eyes on her.

Among a sea of judgmental gazes, she was a familiar lifeline.

When I walked to my usual seat, no matter how many times I told myself to just do it, I couldn’t force myself to pull it out and sit down.

I needed my best friend.

I must have stood at the table longer than I realized, because a deep voice said, “You can go sit with her.”

It took me a moment to register I hadn’t imagined it. Malum really had suffered a stroke. He was being nice.

I didn’t wait for him to recover.

As I hurried past the other legions toward Sadie, a wave of self-consciousness hit me. I moved slower. Sadie’s mates don’t want you around her. Not after what you’ve done.

When I got to the shifter table, I rubbed at the back of my neck. “Can I sit with you?”

Everyone stood up.

I flinched.

Sadie threw herself against me and pulled me down into the newly vacant chair beside her. “I’ve been so worried about you,” she whispered against my chest as she hugged me.

I clung back.

Over her shoulder, Xerxes and Ascher both smiled and gave me little waves.

The friendly movement was comically out of place on the two men. Ascher’s tattoos and horns gave him an edge of violence that was matched by Xerxes’s fluid motions as he sharpened his daggers.

I breathed in the faint scent of sweet cranberries as I pressed my cheek against the top of Sadie’s head.

“Are you okay?” Jinx asked quietly from the end of the table as she stroked the ferret hanging around her neck like a scarf. Her dark eyes were too large for her pointy features and gave her a ghoulish appearance.

She looked worried.

Startled by the compassion on her face, I pulled away from Sadie and smoothed invisible wrinkles off my sweatshirt.

“Actually, it’s been pretty rough.” I gave an awkward laugh. “Are you okay?” I asked her pointedly.

Memories of her strapped to a chair sobbing overwhelmed me.

Her soft expression disappeared as she scowled.

“I’m fine.” Jinx’s tone was harsh. “What were you doing on that field? Lollygagging around while the time was counting down? I’ve never seen someone move slower in my life. Where was your sense of self-preservation?”

My jaw dropped. “Really? You want to do this now?”

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