Page 127 of Her Psycho Beasts

“Excuse me!” Savage cries dramatically.

Minnie and I elbow each other while Stacey tries hard not to laugh.

We jog back into Sabrina’s room and find her settled on the couch by the window. She refuses to take that hoodie off, even if it sort of smells now, but it’s a security blanket for her, so we don’t talk about it. Her hood remains up, covering part of her eyes and casting the rest of her face in shadows.

“Sith Lord Sabrina,” Stacey says in a deep voice. “Your servants have arrived.”

That elicits a little huff from our leopard as she opens a bag of potato chips and begins mechanically eating.

Less than a minute later, Scythe appears by the door and we all scurry to the side to watch.

The twin cheetahs enter the room on light, silent feet. They slow their pace down, respectfully letting Sabrina see them and what they have in their hands.

“Sabrina,” Scythe says, “this is Blade.” He points to the twin on the left holding a bunch of beautiful yellow roses. “And Blair.” He indicates the brother on the right with the gift bag.

Blade approaches Sabrina’s couch and goes down on one knee, places his flowers at her feet, and offers her his hand.

Minnie grips my own hand so hard it hurts as we hold our breaths.

It seems like an eternity before Sabrina extracts a hand from the bag of chips and so slowly reaches out. Blair receives it in both of his, as if her hand is the most precious thing in existence. With the gentlest of lips, he kisses the back of it.

A tear rolls down Sabrina’s cheek. Blair takes out something from his gift bag and places it carefully on Sabrina’s lap.

I see that it’s a pink and yellow frosted cake in a clear plastic box. A pretty little thing. An offering of food to a regina.

Sabrina brushes her fingers over it.

Minnie and I look at each other with tears in our eyes.

“Thank you,” Sabrina whispers.

“You are welcome,” Blair says roughly. “Would you do us the honour of speaking with us?”

Sabrina glances at Blade, likely remembering he can’t speak.

“Well,” Blair chuckles, running a nervous hand through his dark hair, “Blade will mostly be listening.”

Sabrina’s lips twitch into the whisper of a smile. “Well, I suppose it’s good that I can do enough talking for two people.”

Blade’s face splits into a grin.

Chapter 64

Scythe

Three Years Ago

“He’s a terrible beast. Evil as they come.” Beak spits on the grass, off to the side to show his contempt. “Executed my regina and brothers just because she refused to remove the organs out of a very alive and healthy beast.”

“Scumbag,” Savage says. “We knew it.”

“It’s too early for us to take him on,” Xander says. “We’re not ready for something that big yet.”

“Please,” Beak urges. “I’ll fucking do anything to see that fucker’s head roll.”

I consider Halfeather. A powerful, wealthy beast with a tenuous connection to Serpent Court. He’d built his empire selling organs on the black market using the cover of professional medical and healing services.

I consider this young eagle who calls himself Beak.

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