Page 103 of Psycho Pack

"Oh?" I feign surprise, tilting my head. "And here I thought the giant, glowing bird was impossible to miss. My mistake."

A low growl builds in Whiskey's chest. "I swear to fuck, Valek, if you don't cut the crap?—"

"You'll what?" I interrupt, my voice sharp as a blade. "Beat me senseless? Been there, done that. I'm afraid you'll have to be more creative."

"Calm down, both of you," Ivy mutters, clearly annoyed, her pretty lips stained a bit purple by the fruit. "We don't need a Caveman VS Psycho fight before we even get there."

"As you wish," I say pleasantly, giving Whiskey my sweetest smile.

Whiskey's jaw clenches, his hands curling into fists. But before he can unleash whatever witty retort he's cobbled together from the few words rattling around in that vacant brain of his, understanding dawns in his eyes. His lips curve into a smirk that's equal parts amusement and pity.

My lip curls.

How dare this buffoon feel pity for me.

"I get it now," he says, leaning back in his seat. "You've hit your head one too many times."

The laughter bubbles up from my chest, dark and hollow. Oh, if only he knew. If only any of them knew the truth of what lurks beneath the surface of reality. The horrors that wait in the shadows, hungry and patient.

"No," I purr. "You're all just too blind to see the truth."

The temperature in the train car seems to drop several degrees. Ivy and Thane are watching us now, their attention drawn by the tension crackling between Whiskey and me.

"The truth?" Thane's deep voice rumbles from across the compartment. "And what truth would that be?"

I turn to our dear leader. How the mighty have fallen, reduced to following the breadcrumbs left by a man we barely know. A man who's leading us straight into the jaws of the beast.

"The truth," I say, savoring each word like fine wine, "is that we're all fucked. Royally, thoroughly,exquisitelyfucked."

"Care to elaborate?" Thane asks, his tone deceptively calm. But I can see the tension coiled in his massive frame, ready to spring at a moment's notice. Ready to fight.

Is that really all these alphas can do?

I wish Ivy had higher standards.

Wish I wasn't looking forward to a lifetime of dealing with their bullshit. Then again, that lifetime might be cut short once our train reaches its destination.

Ivy will be safe, though.

Of that, I am certain.

Surhiirans are a mysterious people, but their love and reverence for omegas is no secret. Knowing she will be worshiped and adored as she deserves makes it easier to swallow how likely it is I'm about to be snuffed off the face of the planet.

I just hope it's a firing squad.

I don't want to hang.

"Well?" Thane presses, jarring me from my thoughts.

I lean forward, elbows resting on my knees as I steeple my fingers beneath my chin. "Think about it," I say. "We're on a train bound for a nation that is known for brutal secrecy and utter disdain for outsiders. And yet here we are, being treated like honored guests. Are you really not suspicious?"

The silence that falls over the compartment is thick enough to choke on. I can practically hear the gears turning in their heads, see the doubt creeping into their eyes.

Good. Let it fester.

Let it grow.

"You're one to talk about suspicion," Whiskey growls, but there's a flicker of uncertainty in his voice now. "After the shit you pulled, kidnapping Ivy?—"