Page 57 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

The loyal few emerge stronger,

Most die on the pyre.”

—Lyla the Witch

Chapter 9

Aran

ANNOUNCEMENTS

The Legionnaire Games: Day 5, hour 5

We stood before the tree that split the great hall in two.

Commoners sat at their long table on one side, wearing green finery, and royals wore purple on the other.

The seven of us wore black.

It matched our souls.

It also had the unintended consequence of making us look skinny. Sun god forbid the elite assassins appeared bloated.

We had a reputation to uphold.

I stood hunched forward with my hood pulled low over my head, concealing my face.

Yet again, we were given no time to adjust to horrible circumstances.

After Lothaire had told us we’d all be competing in the Legionnaire Games, an emergency announcement had been broadcast through the academy. All students had been ordered to leave the party and change into their designated wardrobes.

All the guests had been RJE’d away.

The servants who worked in the shadows of the academy had removed all evidence of festivities.

Most students swayed drunkenly in their seats.

Lucky bastards. The demon brew had burned off days ago when I’d murdered my friend for murdering my other friend. Tragic.

I picked at the blood crusted beneath my nails.

Stared blankly at the floor.

Lothaire stood in front of us and spread his arms wide. “I’ve brought us all here because I’ve received exciting news.”

His voice echoed off the high, arched ceiling.

The hall was dead silent as Lothaire said, “The High Court has chosen Elite Academy to host the Legionnaire Games, and our very own assassin recruits will compete as the academy legion.”

I startled when the hall exploded in cheers.

Students shouted, hugged one another, stood with excitement, and stomped their feet.

The stained-glass windows rattled as the floor shook.

Of course they were excited; they weren’t the ones who had to compete in an infamous supernatural competition.

I knew little about the games, but what I did know wasn’t good.

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