Page 256 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

Distracted by my racing thoughts, I didn’t see the shoulder until it slammed into my side.

A woman invaded my personal space.

Sari scowled.

I hadn’t been this close to her since I’d carried her limp body down the hall.

She had dark circles around her eyes, and her blouse was askew. “You don’t deserve to wear that.” She pointed at my neck.

I grabbed the jewel protectively. “What?”

“Actually.” She smiled, and it wasn’t a pleasant expression. “You probably do, it’s very fitting.”

“What is?” I asked dumbly as I stared down at the necklace.

“They call it death.” Sari wrinkled her nose patronizingly. “You’d know all about that, wouldn’t you? Since death is your thing.”

She smirked.

I fondled the heavy black stone with curiosity. I’d heard of black jewels called jade but never death. Seemed a little dramatic.

I shrugged.

I’d known it wasn’t jade because the jewel refracted light and sparkled brighter. Who cared about a jewel’s name anyway?

Sari waited, probably for me to spiral.

I could see what she was getting at. I was the fae queen, and my rightful throne was called the seat of death. I’d killed too many people to count, and now I wore a type of jewel called death.

I couldn’t find the energy to do anything but stare back at her blankly.

She waited for me to freak out.

My lips curled downward in a frown as I took in her battered appearance.

Jinx’s advice about doing the right thing pounded against my skull.

I rubbed at my chilled arms, and my fingers snagged on stitches. I hadn’t even realized I was still wearing my tattered sweatshirt.

“I’m sorry about Tara.” I pushed my pipe between my lips but kept my eyes locked on hers.

I let her see my regret.

Sari’s pretty face contorted into something hideous. “How dare you say her name,” she spat. “You didn’t save her.”

I nodded and refused to look away like a coward. “I know. And every day, I regret that I didn’t get there sooner.”

Sari’s eyes widened. “Please,” she wheezed harshly. “You were there in time. You just froze. If you’d acted sooner, she’d still be alive.”

I rubbed my eyes.

Thought back to the night.

Everything was a twisted blur of drugs and intoxication.

Loud music. Dancing. Running through the hall frantically. Horace leaning over Sari, killing her. Tara dead on the floor. Stabbing Horace as I straddled him.

“She was already dead.” My voice cracked. “On the floor.”

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