Page 82 of Psycho Beasts
Her happiness was infectious, and soon we were both giggling and holding on to each other.
Jinx’s voice interrupted our revelry. “Lucinda, my respect for you has plummeted now that I’ve spent time with your sister.”
Lucinda replied, “I get that.”
Jess sighed. “I wish I were hearing voices. My life is so boring.”
“Remember when Jinx would just whisper stuff in our ears all night? That was basically like hearing voices,” Jala said, pink eyes wide.
“Good point.”
I pulled away from Aran and lightly punched myself in the forehead with my fist. “No one is going to hear any voices going forward. We are all normal, functioning females with bright, happy, not-concerning-at-all futures.”
Aran puckered her lips in disbelief, and I pinched her.
“I’m manifesting it.”
“Good luck with that. You’re no witch.”
Before I could launch a million questions at Aran about witches, because I was still shook that they existed, Jess climbed across the bed and gave me and Aran a hug.
Before I knew it, we were all hugging. Jala had even pulled Jinx into the pile.
Big touchy-feely morning for all of us.
You knew things weren’t well when everyone started embracing.
The shadow snake twirled around my fingers and projected images of love and support, and my heart hurt at the reminder that Cobra was no longer attached to it.
I sent it back an image of me hugging it, and it gave a little zing in return.
I gave it pets and whispered under my breath, “How did such a rude man make such a sweet snake?”
The snake twirled with glee as I dragged my fingers across it.
Jess interrupted my melancholy thoughts. “I know Jax is my brother, but don’t worry, girl. I will cut him.”
“I appreciate that and hope it won’t come to that,” I said honestly and smiled at her.
For the first time since the sacred lake had revealed I was an alpha, I was surrounded by females.
It was nice.
“So, what’s the plan for today?” Aran asked.
“Well, the don said we begin the second trial, so that should be fun.” I pretended to smoke an imaginary cigar and made a finger gun. “Gang life, am I right?”
Everyone looked at me with concern.
I pretended to blow a smoke ring with my cigar and pondered where I wanted to get “Loyalty” tattooed.
Definitely across my face like a badass.
“Sis, we should come with you,” Lucinda said eagerly. “I have…” she trailed off but didn’t finish her sentence.
“You have what?” I asked.
“Nothing,” Lucinda said quickly, but I got the sense she was hiding something.