Page 96 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

Thick jagged scars marred her back and chest.

Dick had told Sadie that he’d beaten her to unlock her powers. He’d done it on behalf of the moon goddess, and if he hadn’t done it to her, he would have had to do it to her sister, Lucinda.

The explanation was too neat for the situation. It didn’t seem right that it involved gods and loved ones.

What Dick had done to Sadie was messy and depraved, and it was only logical that the reasoning behind his actions followed a similar pattern.

His story reeked of manipulation.

I’d tried to point that out to Sadie when she first told me, but she ignored me and said I was too blinded by rage on her behalf.

I gnawed on my fingernail as I debated the merits of once again bringing up my doubts.

Before I could decide, Sadie changed topics and rambled on about a book she’d read.

She was happy to forgive and move on.

With a deep breath, I let it go. Perhaps I was just a heartless revengeful bitch that refused to move on.

It wouldn’t be the first time.

Sadie talked, and I nodded when it was appropriate. She smiled as she explained the plot, and I smiled back.

Warmth expanded in my chest.

I liked her constant chatter.

I liked how she moved her hands dramatically and leaned closer when she got excited.

I liked how she rested her head on my shoulder.

It felt as if we’d never been separated.

At one point, Ascher’s phone rang, and it was Sadie’s sister, Lucinda, and Jax’s sisters Jess and Jala.

I gaped at the technology.

He explained that he’d spent a small fortune and gotten an inter-realm service plan so they could stay in contact. Jax’s and Sadie’s sisters were boarding at an ultraexclusive school in the beast realm with a whole battalion of the don’s personal guards until the games were over.

“Are there any cute boys at the academy that I would like?” Jax’s sister Jala asked me over the phone, and the others snickered.

Jax frowned, and Xerxes sharpened his knives with vigor.

I sighed. “Do you think seven-foot-tall monsters with no respect for women are cute?”

There was a long pause and what sounded like a scuffle. Then Jax’s other sister Jess said, “Wait, they kinda sound interesting. Bad boy vibes.”

“Tell them I’m single,” Sadie’s sister, Lucinda, yelled in the background.

Jax growled. “You’re not allowed to date until you’re three hundred and fifty years old.”

Cobra scoffed. “You’re not allowed to date until you’re dead. You can date in the afterlife.” His jewels transformed into shadow snakes and crawled over his skin. “In this life, I’ll kill any man that touches you.”

“Not fair!” Lucinda shouted, and Jax motioned for Ascher to give him the phone.

“Stop antagonizing Jax.” Ascher laughed. “You better still be practicing your combat moves for when we get back.”

There was a small spat where Jess tried to prove she was practicing her moves by attacking Jala and what sounded like an impromptu pillow fight.

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