Page 263 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

Sadie’s white hair whipped back and forth in the wind. Her ruby eyes glowed, and the outline of a saber-toothed tiger shimmered around her as she asked, “And has it all worked out for you?”

She smiled, and it wasn’t a friendly expression.

This was exactly why I could never find the right moment to tell her.

I blew out a smoking gun. Pop. The smoke bullet poofed harmlessly off my forehead.

“No, Sadie, it obviously hasn’t,” I said sarcastically.

“You have five seconds to explain, or I’m going to leap to”—a low rumbling roar rattled her chest—“some terrible conclusions.”

I studied my cuticles.

Clucked my tongue.

Pursed my lips and blew out a raspberry.

Sighed.

“ARAN, EXPLAIN!” Sadie alpha-barked.

I scoffed and watched an angel spread her wings and spiral on a column of air. “I’m not a shifter. That doesn’t work on me.”

Horse mimicked the angel’s movement on the breeze. He spun out of control, and I gave him a thumbs-up.

I inhaled smoke.

Sadie snatched the pipe from my lips and held it in the air. “Explain or I’ll snap it.”

I stilled. “You wouldn’t.”

The outline of foot-long teeth flickered on her face. “Don’t test me.” I’m pretty sure that was a new thing for her.

I hit my head backward so my skull knocked satisfyingly against the rocks. “You’re such a cunt.”

“Aran,” Sadie warned and grabbed the pipe with both hands.

“Aren’t you supposed to be all tired and exhausted after”—I held up two fingers and made air quotes—“running?”

The rumbling noise in her chest intensified.

“Fine, I’ll tell you.” I caved. “Give me the pipe first.”

“No.” Sadie bared her teeth. “Tell me and I’ll give you the pipe.”

I hit my head harder as I tried to stall. “Sun god, you don’t have to be such a bitch about it.”

Sadie bent my pipe between her hands.

“Simmer down.” I winced as I ambled to my feet and sighed heavily. “You want to know the truth?”

Sadie bent my pipe until it was in a U shape.

I closed my eyes and got it all over with.

“My-father-is-Lothaire-and-he-made-me-get-a-tattoo-on-my-hip-that-enslaves-me-to-the-kings-so-I-can’t-leave-their-presence-without-pain.”

Sadie blinked, and her shoulders lowered. “Was that so hard?”

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