Page 280 of Psycho Devils: Aran's Story 2

BOOM.

Thunder cracked, and the academy swayed back and forth from the force of the collision.

The cosmos themselves were falling.

The realm imploding.

Was the moon colliding with the planet?

Food fell off plates and ale splashed all over tables as the room shook.

A branch cracked and fell from the sacred tree. It slammed down atop an unsuspecting royal student, who crashed to the floor, unconscious.

Everyone stared at the limp student. No one helped.

When breakfast finally concluded, a stampede of competitors and students rushed from the hall.

Sadie slammed into me in the crush and asked, “Do you want me to braid your hair?” She grimaced as she took in my wild curls.

I couldn’t find my voice, so I shook my head to tell her no.

I was too nervous to sit still.

Sadie nodded in understanding and wrapped her arms around me. She squeezed.

Bodies crushed around us, and I inhaled her cranberry scent, grateful for the moment of peace with her.

A gust of wind battered the boards, and a glass pitcher on the table next to us shattered. Pieces splintered around us.

Students shrieked in surprise.

Sadie gripped me harder.

“How dare you touch her?” Malum forcibly ripped me out of her grasp.

I stumbled back, and Orion caught me. He saved my fall, but he didn’t release me. His hands splayed across my shoulders, and he leaned his head into my hair.

Orion inhaled with his eyes closed. “Relax, sweetheart,” he whispered.

I relaxed back into his embrace.

He pressed his soft lips against my temple, and I closed my eyes. His fingers massaged my shoulders.

I relaxed into his touch.

“Did she hurt you?” Scorpius sneered cruelly, and I blinked with confusion. Was he really asking me if Sadie had hurt me? My best friend.

Malum said gruffly, “I don’t want her near you.”

I jolted back to reality.

I didn’t need men to comfort me.

Clearing my throat, I awkwardly stepped away from Orion, who was reaching for me like he didn’t want to let me go.

Sadie made a heart with her hands and blew me a kiss as she disappeared back into the crowd of students. I watched her go for a long moment.

Fear made my heart thump painfully in my chest.

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