Page 371 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

Aran was the most difficult and infuriating person I’d ever met. How someone so intelligent could act so self-deprecating and depressive was beyond my scope of understanding.

It was like she wanted both of us to die brutally.

At first, I’d been suitably impressed when she’d eaten her mother’s heart in the fae realm. When she’d had darkness in her eyes and blood dripping down her chin, I’d understood what all the fuss was about.

I’d gotten why angels needed guardians to help them do the right things.

Her capacity for violence was inspiring.

She had raw potential in her bones and a physical strength I could never hope to achieve.

My task had seemed doable. Difficult but still possible.

But then we’d gone to the beast realm, and Aran spiraled. Her mind couldn’t wrap itself around the sheer depth of depravity she’d displayed.

A pity.

Meanwhile, the Angel Consciousness argued back and forth in my brain.

They were divided on whether her gruesome murder of her mother was a positive—the woman had been an abusive bully—or a negative, for obvious reasons.

While they’d fought it out, nothing was asked of me.

I missed those days.

Once Aran had been brought to Elite Academy, the Consciousness had started making more demands. The voice had become more frequent and urgent.

Whatever happened in training and battles had convinced some members of the Consciousness that Aran might be worthy of earning her wings. Enough people that the voice had hope.

When she fought against the ungodly, they agreed she was a candidate to earn her wings.

They partially removed the mind enchantment that inhibited the expression of angel genes.

This step had prepared her body so if the Consciousness decided to remove the full blocker, the angel genes would express themselves fully and she’d earn her wings.

They’d told me to tell Lothaire to put Aran in more positions of danger.

I’d talked to Lothaire and made up a story about the High Court wanting to monitor Aran’s strength. I pushed him to give her more perilous tasks without revealing that she was an angel. He’d agreed to help.

His compliance was ultimately useless because the High Court had stepped in and instituted the Legionnaire Games.

Their timing had been a little too perfect.

After Aran had sacrificed her life to save Scorpius in the second trial a few weeks ago, the Consciousness decided she was more than a candidate.

They completely removed the blocker.

Aran was officially on the path to earning her wings.

The only step left was for Aran to act righteous enough to trigger the full expression of angel genes. Then she’d earn her wings.

It was obvious that the High Court was getting desperate for Aran to earn her wings because they kept choosing her for each competition.

It was the only hope we had.

Both our lives were hanging in the balance.

If only she knew.

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