Page 83 of Psycho Beasts

I opened my eyes to ask more questions, but Jala cut me off, her pink eyes large with excitement. “Yeah, we can make sure the guys are nice to you. Plus, we have some skills that might be useful.”

I thought about Aran’s eyes going black, Jinx shrieking, Jess and Jala protecting Jinx, and Lucinda being a mini me.

For a second, I considered bringing them along.

Then I remembered they were still teens and Aran needed to keep a low profile.

Also, as the two semi-adults, it was our responsibility to keep them safe.

“No, I’ll figure out schooling for you guys in this realm.” I tried to speak with authority, like I was a leader they could look up to and not someone who’d just been screaming about hearing voices.

“School sucks,” Jess blurted. Jala pretended to cry, Lucinda flopped back with a moan, and Jinx showed her teeth. I couldn’t figure out if she was smiling or snarling.

“Love the passion. I’ll be sure to inquire about theater programs.”

Aran studied her fingernails. “At your guys’ age, I was being set on fire nightly and paraded around ballrooms with bloodthirsty fae. Grow up.”

Jinx turned to Aran, her dark eyes large and sharp on her pale face. “And now you’re hiding like a coward, disguised as an unattractive male, and sleeping in the same bed as your best friend because you’re afraid of the dark, flames, and blood.”

Aran gasped.

Jess chanted “fight” under her breath.

Aran arched her brow. “Excuse me. I will have you know that I am very sexy. The voice in Sadie’s head even told her so.”

“Um, it definitely didn’t.”

The tension dissipated as everyone realized Aran was not about to rip out one of Jinx’s organs and eat it. Although, weirdly, my gut told me Jinx would put up more of a fight than the fae queen.

I pursed my lips and debated giving some type of inspirational speech about how we all had each other and we would be all right. Even though the men were mad at me and it low-key felt like the world was ending.

Aran farted. Loudly.

The girls screamed.

I left the room.

We were all fucked.

Dead.

Aran could handle the four teenage girls. She clearly needed to practice leadership if she was ever going to run an entire realm, because I hated to say it, but I was getting big “reign of terror” energy from her.

My mood soured further when I walked into the foyer.

All four men stood at the front door.

Instantly, the scent of sugary cinnamon made my mouth water.

“You’re late,” Cobra snarled with menace.

“And you’re ugly.” I still needed to work on comebacks.

Ascher’s tattooed jaw clenched tight. “So, Princess, you decided to show up?”

I turned to him slowly.

It was one thing for Cobra to act like an annoying psycho, but it was something else coming from the great betrayer.