Page 21 of Her Psycho Beasts

“Secondly,” Damien says, tilting his pert nose up, “My family owns this land. The leadership team needs to reflect and respect that.”

“Celesteowns this land,” Lyle says with the hint of a growl. “It was granted to her by way of her father.”

“We are subjects of the Old Laws,” Damien says. “Therefore, the title goes to the eldest living male in the family, which”—he spreads out both his hands—“isme.”

I cast a wary eye about the walls of the office, my senses seeking out the magical sentience of the building and surrounds. The school would decide where the title went for itself.

Celeste, for her part, is avoiding Damien. Though she is a powerful phoenix, no doubt rivalling this imposter, she is very much a poster child for her order. Their way is hidden and quiet. Mysterious and eccentric. Her instinct makes her spend her time alone in the quiet, away from the humdrum of society.

On top of that, according to Lyle, the Agnis family has been trying to get Celeste to reproduce with Damien. The phoenix population is a critically endangered species, practically on the brink of extinction. None of them are finding their own natural mates, let alone a pack.

Damien and Celeste arefirstcousins.

That’s how desperate these creatures are.

And perhaps a little in-breeding leads me to surmise that Damien was born with a few essential screws missing.

“Andyou,” Damien gestures a rude hand at me, sensing the inquiring shift of my magic. “Your father and I have been in conversation. He tells me themostdisturbing things about you, Xander.”

I blink lazily at him. I’m sure theyweredisturbing. Not all of them lies, too. The dragon inside me wants to test this phoenix and see what shiny things we could make out of his power.

“I won’t have a rebellious, undisciplined dragon with an addiction problem strutting about my school. You’ll wear obsidian for the duration of your stay here.”

Who, me?My dragon blinks up at me in question before yawning, long and wide.

“Well? What do you have to say?” Damien demands.

I smirk, “I’m just wondering what roasted phoenix tastes like.”

His face contorts with rage. “Howdareyou?—”

“Damien,” Lyle interjects. “You need to be careful.”

Steam billows out of my nose on a heavy exhale. Ever noble Lyle is actually trying to help the nutter.

Damien shoots to his feet. “Careful of myownstudents? I think not.”

Lyle only sighs.

It’s only then that Scythe steps in. If there was another seat in the office, he would have sat in it. Instead, he strides to the bay windows on the left-hand side, and with no chairs in front of them, he leans against the wall, looking out at the school grounds. I wonder what he sees in the phoenix’s aura. What lies and weaknesses are evident.

“And Scythe Kharkorous, the crime lord,” Damien sneers, clearly trying to regain purchase on the conversation. “So it’s true that you are also tied to the Boneweaver pack. I would not have believed it until I saw the bond today.” He drums his fingers on the desk. “Donotthink I don’t know exactly what you’re up to.”

Scythe looks upon him with feigned surprise, addressing him with that slow, measured ice that usually sends lesser beasts falling prostrate. “And what is that, Lord Agnis?”

Damien cringes a little, as everyone does the first time they hear Scythe’s harsh, damaged rasp. “I could have you thrown into the Lily Sanctuary within minutes. Do not think you can threaten me.”

I bark out a laugh.

Scythe must be feeling venerable today and ignores Damien’s audacity. “My peaceful stay here rests on the basis that our terms are honoured.”

“I refuse to negotiate with criminals,” Damien spits, cutting his palm through the air. “This is whyI’mtaking over. To set things straight. To bring back integrity. And the law. You may have friends in high places, but so do I.”

He tugs on a chain of gold from under his collar. Attached to it is a pendant made of gold and emerald, and it vibrates with a power I know too well. “You think I came here without protection?”

I stare in utter surprise at the dragon-made trinket until he tucks it back into his shirt away from sight. I almost sigh in relief as the threat of my sire’s power leaves the air.

“You cannot harm me, Scythe Kharkorous,” Damien declares again.

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