Page 223 of Psycho Gods

He gestured toward his stomach, and I realized he was showing where I should stab him.

My stomach pinched at the thought of purposefully making him bleed. That, or something I’d eaten wasn’t sitting right.

I scowled. “Knox said our feathers are precious! I’m not wasting one on stabbing you.”

Malum made an aggressive hand gesture that seemed to indicate annoyance, but it was hard to tell because his face was engulfed in fire so I couldn’t see his expression. “I’ve seen you make ice claws, use that!”

“Fine,” I said.

Snow gathered on my lashes and made it hard to see. Somewhere far above in the howling gray, Horse cawed out encouragement.

I once again extended my hands like an idiot.

Mother had never done something so idiotic.

A wild thought struck me, and I snapped my fingers like she always had and pictured Malum writhing in pain.

I waited.

Nothing happened.

Honestly, in retrospect, it was probably for the best that I didn’t have torture powers (I was a little disappointed).

I focused on ice claws, and within seconds, cobalt serrated edges extended from my fingers.

I admired them but frowned as I pulled them closer because the ice dug into the edges of my nails. Blood dripped down my hand. Holy fucking sun god. I scoffed in disbelief. Now I knew why my cuticles were so ruined.

How embarrassing.

“Do something!” Malum roared. “What are you staring at?”

“You really think stabbing you with these will help?” I waved the serrated edges around doubtfully.

A streak of scarlet arched toward me. The heat almost touched my cheek. I smiled because it felt nice.

I took a step toward the inferno.

Malum stumbled back. “Wait. Don’t come near me. My flames might hurt you—I don’t have control right now!”

I gaped at him as I waved my ice claws. “You just realized this?”

He took another step back. “Don’t come closer. Put your claws away. The idea was shit—just try to use your powers from a distance.”

For a second, I debated listening to him, then I remembered I didn’t listen to men.

I smirked and took a big step toward him.

Seven feet of flaming male trembled at my proximity, and walked backward like I was poisonous.

I did what any woman would do if they were trapped on the side of a mountain with the man who’d used to bully them—I ran forward, cackling.

A noise that suspiciously sounded like a squeal escaped from Malum as he ran away. “Don’t come close, I don’t want to hurt you!”

Of course, I ran faster.

Snow and flames whipped around us.

I hadn’t had this much fun in years. Horse flew beside me like he was also giving chase.