Page 242 of Psycho Gods

John’s arms tightened around me. Luka’s fingers spasmed. A crown of shadows protruded off both their curls.

They looked equal parts terrified and terrifying.

“She shrugged,” Orion whispered loudly.

Scorpius let out an unholy sound, and he slammed his fists down onto the bathroom sink.

It cracked.

The silence fractured.

“I didn’t want you guys to worry,” I said with honesty.

Luka’s eyes narrowed into slits.

Malum whipped his head in my direction, and scarlet flames shot from his mouth. “Why wouldn’t you tell me? I kissed you. Touched you.” His voice cracked. “I hurt you.”

The temperature increased.

“It wasn’t too painful,” I said reassuringly. “I promise.”

“She’s lying,” John whispered. “I felt it—it was agonizing.”

“No. It wasn’t that bad,” I repeated desperately.

Malum’s expression was distraught. He looked devastated.

Luka’s fingers tightened on my chin as he brought his face forward, lips inches from mine. A shadowy cloak hung off his shoulders, and I could taste his minty breath like it was my own.

He whispered, “What chthonic spirit possessed you? Why would you ever let us fuck you without telling us about this?”

“It wasn’t a big deal,” I said. “That’s why I got so drunk. It never hurt.”

I needed them to understand.

His eyes widened, and his hand dropped from my face. He slammed back against the tile, gripping his chest like he’d been shot.

Malum shouted something vulgar. Orion gagged. Scorpius pounded his fist against the broken sink.

Luka spun around, punched the shower wall, and screamed.

Tile shattered.

John held me. “Please, never again,” he pleaded. “Please never pull this shit again, or so help me sun god, it won’t just be the kings committing crimes against the realms.” He pressed a soft kiss against the side of my neck, the heat from his skin warm against my chilled flesh.

Pain streaked down my back, and I winced.

John let out a string of colorful expletives. “Sorry.” He gritted his teeth. “I shouldn’t have done that. Shit.”

He hyperventilated and pulled away.

I turned around, shoulders banging against Luka in the small space, as I hugged John with all my strength. “Don’t release me right now,” I said. “Please.”

John’s arms came back around my sopping-wet clothes.

We held each other.

The rest of the men kept screaming and punching, my secrets detonating like bombs, as they destroyed the bathroom.