Page 83 of Psycho Gods

However, it was hard to concentrate on Sadie’s dancing (convulsions). The memory of Malum’s razor-sharp eyes as he promised not to leave me alone played on repeat through my mind.

There was clearly only one solution.

I had to have sex with him, then I’d have to kill him. Praying-mantis-style. Dagger down, ass up.

It was the only way.

I ignored the arguing kings and, with disturbing swiftness, fell asleep—the nightmares came quickly.

Chapter 12

Corvus Malum

CONNECTIONS

Ignify (verb): to form into fire.

DAY 7, HOUR 3

My nightmares usually consisted of flames and failing my mates, of red fire pouring from my skin while I screamed without relief.

There was a recurring theme to my dreams.

In some of them, I had all three of my mates around me, but I couldn’t find my Revered. I used to dream about a faceless male cowering somewhere in need of protection. Now I dreamed about a fierce woman with eyes like ice who didn’t want my protection.

I knew something was very wrong because this dream was not like the rest.

I knew in my gut that I was trapped in someone else’s body, experiencing their memories.

The person was lying partially naked on a marble floor. Ornate frescoes decorated the walls, and the high ceiling seemed to go on forever. Everything flickered in shades of gray as if the person’s vision filtered out warm colors.

There were no windows.

No escape.

They—the person whose body I was inside—shivered uncontrollably.

Somehow, I was aware of the person’s emotions, but could still have separate thoughts.

It was overwhelming and disorienting.

Eight men stood in a circle around them in matching uniforms, and for some reason, I recognized the insignia as that of the fae guard. I knew, without reason, that I was in the grand basement of the fae palace.

The guards stepped closer, caging the person in so there was nowhere to go.

For a second, I was distracted by the delicate pale arms that trembled as they held them up because they were so different from my dark, bronze muscled limbs.

The waves of terror streaking through them were wholly unfamiliar.

I’d never experience fear like this.

A guard reached out and slammed the toe of his thick black boot into the person’s side, and they gasped at the sharp sting. Their fragile frame curled up on the marble floor. Their joints ached with growing pains.

They were all gangly limbs and bones.

The person was young.

Scared.

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