Page 38 of Her Psycho Beasts

“Cain Clawson is a powerful feline,” Scythe says, “And along with his sons, make up a majority of their power. If they’re not there, it’ll be a clean run. But if they are, things will get unnecessarily bloody.”

Spawn is biting her lip, her breathing a little faster now. She’s no doubt thinking about the infamous Cassius Clawson’s soul-bond to her mother. In another life, Cain Clawson would have been her uncle. If it weren’t for Mace Naga and Cain making a pact to clear out Cassius, that is.

“I’ll do it,” Spawn pipes. “If you think me being there will draw out Cain.”

I snort. “They won’t be able to help themselves. Once word gets out, the entire fucking underworld is going to show up. Anyone who is anyone will be there to see the Boneweavers come back from the dead.”

Spawn casts me a dark look and Scythe cuts me one of pure menacing warning. I give them both a droll look in return.

“Lia will be safe though, right?” Connor asks. “All of you will be there too?”

“I’ll be there,” Lyle growls. “And by that time, Savage will join us too.”

“Wait,” Aurelia says, frowning at me. “You can takeallsix of us?”

“Do not insult me, Serpent Spawn,” I snap. “I would barely notice the weight.”

Spawn scoffs. “So Dolores is just going to let us waltz out of here?”

“That’s the one complication,” Scythe says. “Our new deputy headmaster has one requirement.”

Chapter 18

Scythe

Damien returned to his office this afternoon to find it completely flooded with sewage water. Apparently, the school had decided it didn’t take well to a foreign phoenix torturing the students, including the only resident dragon.

As a result, Georgia has set up our new deputy an office in one of the smaller classrooms, the smell of sewage still lingering on his business shoes. I sit, with Lyle and Marduk, before the teacher’s desk as the fan whirrs above us, stirring the stands of my hair.

The three of us large males sitting here should be something out of a comedy, if it wasn’t for the look of pale-faced shock on Damien’s face as Marduk shows him a photo on his phone.

I don’t know what it is, only that it’s some heavy blackmailing material that’s making Damien all but soil his pants. It’s likely to be some sort of unsavoury fetish. It always is.

“If Mr Pardalia is permitted to be in the faculty despite his regina being a student, then I will be too,” Marduk says, pocketing his phone. “Isn’t that right, my good Lord Agnis?”

Damien audibly swallows, eyeing the tiger with nervousness. “Very well, Marduk. That seems to be in order. You…You will submit your teaching plans to me by the end of the week.”

Marduk grins, the picture of pure male joy. “Very well, Lord Phoenix! Now we can put this little mishap all behind us and move forward into the semester.”

Lyle casts me a dark look and I don’t know if he’s more concerned about Damien’s response to this or Marduk’s idea of what teaching a class looks like.

“There is the other matter,” I say, leaning back into my chair, making it creak under my weight, “of me needing to take Aurelia away this weekend.”

“I will also be taking my pack,” Marduk adds, clasping his hands in front of him. “The Devi pack.” He beams at us.

Minnie has been rather shy around Marduk’s intimidating presence, but he’s determined to prove himself and is holding his enthusiasm back with great discipline.

“I will not allow it,” Damien says tightly, looking between Lyle and I. “It is highly out of order. She is still under the Council’s jurisdiction.”

“Aurelia needs to be seen,” I say. “This is her right as the only living Boneweaver. The other territory leaders will demand it soon enough.”

“She is still a criminal,” Damien presses. “She has been tried for murder and arson at court and her execution has only been delayed?—”

Lyle waves his hand in annoyance. “We all know that is a moot point now. No one is executing a Boneweaver.”

Damien raises a brow. “You are very sure of that. While her execution might now be in question, shestillneeds to be held accountable for the crimes she was tried as guilty for. You took her to court, Lyle, but it is nowmyresponsibility to ensure justice is served.”

“Celeste advised?—”

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