Page 54 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

I walked forward and jammed my finger into Lothaire’s chest. “You branded me a fucking slave because you thought I was weak and pathetic. Or did you already forget? Or do you just get to decide my character when it fits into your little agenda?”

Lothaire rested his hand over mine gently, like we were having a tender family moment.

I yanked out of his grip.

Lothaire frowned. “You’re my daughter. And you’re more powerful than you even know. But that doesn’t mean you’re safe from the millions of fae who want to rip out your heart and take your throne.”

“Oh, please, save me the theatrics.” I gritted my teeth. “My life is fucking hell because of your horrible choice in women.”

“Language!” Lothaire yelled.

I screamed, “Fuck you!”

His eye flashed with danger, and he yelled louder, “Language! No child of mine will speak like a common foot soldier.”

“I’m not your child.”

“Yes, you are.”

“No. I’m not. You can’t force me to accept you as my father.”

Sparks crackled in the air around Lothaire as he said, “You don’t need to accept anything. I’m your father. That’s a fact.”

I smiled widely. “False.”

“I’m your father,” Lothaire whispered and held his hand out, like he was offering something to me.

He waited for me to take it.

I didn’t move.

An empty feeling expanded in my chest.

It spread.

“Force me to compete and we will never have a relationship. This is your last chance,” I whispered.

The black hole swirled above our heads.

Light filtered through stained glass and cast a network of geometric shapes across fabrics. Curtains billowed in the cracked windows. Fire leaped in the hearth.

Lothaire dragged his hand over his chin and scoffed like I was ridiculous. Then he chuckled.

He laughed.

At me.

At my feelings.

The emptiness became a cliff.

“You don’t get to choose not to compete,” Lothaire said with finality. “The gods personally handpicked the legions, and you were named a part of this one. You’re already a member. There’s no choice to be made. Your fate has been decided.”

The cliff became a free fall.

I closed my eyes and took a deep breath.

Nodded.

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