Page 309 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

The boards had been removed from the stained glass, and the usual red haze from the eclipse swirled around me. My back no longer was cracking with agony, but it ached in rhythm with my heartbeat.

Wetness trickled uncomfortably across my skin where some of my stitches had pulled open from the walk down the hall.

There was no food on the tables, and a low buzz of chatter and nervousness filled the space as everyone waited to find out the reason we’d been called together.

Malum and Orion stared at me, and Scorpius had his head tilted. I didn’t know how I knew, but my gut told me he was listening to every breath I took.

I traced my eyes across the room.

The leviathan competitor was still crucified to the tree, and his pale flesh was turning black as it rotted, but he was still alive. His head lolled back and forth.

Immortality was truly a bitch.

“The gods have chosen the two top legions to demonstrate their abilities in the showcase round,” Lothaire said loudly.

Had he been standing in front of the tree for a while? I didn’t remember him arriving.

Competitors muttered and shifted with excitement.

I felt nothing.

Lothaire stared straight ahead as he said coldly, “Team unity was an important factor the gods were looking for in these games when they were searching for their champions. Leadership and strength interteam translate to external leadership.”

Students leaned forward in their seats.

“The only teams that did not lose a single competitor during these games were the shifter and academy legions.”

“That’s bullshit.” The captain of the angel legion growled and slammed his chair back as he stood up. His yellow and black eyes flashed.

The vampyre snapped his head in the man’s direction. “Sit down, soldier.” Lothaire’s voice was filled with violence.

I shivered.

The angel sat down with a huff.

Lothaire dragged a hand down his long braid like he was calming himself, then he announced, “Other factors such as the psychological ability to endure, obedience during punishments, and the choice to protect other competitors were taken into account.”

I blew out a puff of smoke.

Leaning back in my chair, I ignored the sensation of wounds pressing into the wood. I tipped my chair backward and balanced on the back legs.

A proud smile curled across Lothaire’s lips.

Sickness welled in my throat.

“The shifter legion and academy legion have been chosen for the showcase. If the gods are satisfied with their exhibition of abilities, they will be named as champions. The highest honor in all the realms.”

His words echoed across the rafters.

Students cheered and stomped their feet as they all looked over at the chosen legions. Us.

Lothaire’s lips pulled into a smile as he looked at me with pride like I’d done it for him.

I stared blankly back.

The nothingness inside me expanded.

Surprisingly I wasn’t the only one glaring at Lothaire.

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