Page 244 of Psycho Gods

“You don’t need to protect me,” I said. “I can protect myself.”

That was the part the men kept forgetting.

John’s eyes filled with sadness as he twirled a wet curl. “We don’t need to love you, but we do. We know you can protect yourself, but you shouldn’t have to—please don’t keep secrets.”

I dropped the necklace. Feeling pathetic, I admitted, “I don’t want to take it off.”

It vibrated warmly against my chest, a comforting reminder that they cared.

I wasn’t alone.

Not anymore.

The twins exhaled loudly with relief.

Malum turned off the shower, and I was startled as I realized the kings had moved. The three of them were crowding around the edge of the tub.

Five sets of eyes stared at me like they were trying to see into my soul and uncover any secrets I might have.

There was a loud crash, and the twins shifted to shield me with their bodies. The kings whirled and crouched in unison, a shield of muscles and aggression.

I stood on my tiptoes to look over John’s shoulder.

Malum flung fire through the bathroom.

The door, which was already half hanging off its hinges because of Malum, was thrown open.

The demons dodged the ball of flames.

The men relaxed.

Vegar’s eyes widened as he took in the ruined bathroom, and Zenith blinked in shock behind him.

The demon’s mouths opened and closed as they took in the scene.

Vegar pointed at me. “You’re an idiot.” He shook his head like he was disappointed.

“Wow,” I said, “Blame the only woman for the men’s destruction.”

Vegar flung his hands in the air, inky lines trailing down his face. “They’re fucking idiots—their bullshit is expected.” He waved dismissively at the men, then pointed again at me. “But I thought you were better than them. You’re supposed to be beyond this display of stupidness.”

I glared back at him. I totally respected holding women to a higher standard (because we were better than men in every way), but this was taking it too far.

“But I did nothing,” I deadpanned.

Vegar rolled his eyes. “Control them.” Zenith winked at me.

I choked. “They’re not my dogs?”

“Are you sure about that?” Vegar asked in a disbelieving tone, like he thought I was an idiot.

“We did pledge to serve as your hounds,” Orion whispered. Scorpius and Malum nodded in agreement.

John covered his laughter with a cough, and Luka slung his arm around my shoulder.

I had no words.

The demons shook their heads and walked away. Vegar called over his shoulder, “We’re going to have to give a battle report tomorrow and deal with soldier losses. Stop with the bullshit.”