As glad as I am to be out of my room, my senses are very sensitive to all the noise around me. Every sound is magnified, and without Angel’s calming scent, it’s all grating on my nerves.
“I don’t sleep, I pass out. The nightmares—Hazel, would you stop shaking that fucking chip bag so damn loud!”
Dusting off her fingers, Hazel hops down from the counter and saunters over. “Aw, are you not feeling verygoldenthis morning?”
I slam my fists against the table and glare at the siren, dead-set on dancing on my last nerve. “Listen here, you fish on legs, seascum. Leave me the fuck alone before I wrap that unnecessary attitude and shove it so far up your ass you choke on it.”
I don’t realize I’ve slipped into my untapped rage until my essence seeps out, circling me like it’s gearing up to attack.
Fuck.I can’t believe that’s all it took to make me snap. This is why I need to find a way to knock myself out and get some fucking sleep before my mind breaks. I can’t hand my Divine the perfect opportunity to go on a rampage.
When I finally regain my composure, the room is silent. Everyone is staring at me with their mouths agape, tasks abandoned—except for Hazel.
That little devil is grinning ear to ear, flashing her sparkling white teeth.
She’ll be toothless if she keeps instigating me.
Hazel enjoys riling me up a little too much for her owngood. She won’t be giggling when my restraint finally snaps.
“My, my. Reaper junior has teeth.”
I’m going to kill her. I’m going to wring her little cupcake neck.
“You little shit—”
I shove off my chair, ready to show Hazel just how hard I can bite, when a young woman in grey overalls rushes into the dining room, her face pinched tight with irritation.
Then a tiny figure darts out from behind her.
My knees haven’t even touched the floor before my little Monkey throws himself into my arms. My chest squeezes in worry when I feel him shaking like a leaf, and a wet spot forms on my shoulder.
The nurse looks down on us with a sneer. I don’t like her. She thinks I haven’t noticed the way she glares at me whenever I’m not looking at her, but I have. If she had anything to do with why my Monkey is so scared, I’ll make her pay for it by ripping her limb from limb.
I hold Monkey securely to my chest and slowly rise to my feet. The little guy buries his face in my neck, rubbing his cheek against the soft hoodie. But when he doesn’t stop shaking, I know I need to calm him down before he makes himself sick again.
I barely register Angel thanking the nurse and telling her to return to the kingdom. She hurries off, avoiding my glare, and it only makes me more suspicious of her.
Angel steps up beside me, rubbing my back as he whispers, “Forget about her. You can deal with her later.”
He’s right. I need to focus on the little boy silently sobbing in my arms.
“Can you get him a glass of water, please?”
While I wait for Angel to return, I hear Seiji quietly grumbling to Grace that I only ever say ‘please’ and ‘sorry’ to Angel, not to anyone else.
I walk to the dining table and sit down with Monkey still clinging to me. The kid doesn’t release me from his firm grip, but at least his breathing isn’t as choppy anymore.
Angel hurries back with the glass of water, taking the seat beside me. One by one, everyone gathers around us, their faces painted with concern.
“You’re okay, kiddo. We’re safe here, I promise. Here, drink some water?” I try to pry the kid’s arms off me, but his grip remains iron-tight.
Monkey glances warily at everyone, then at the glass of water. Angel sees his hesitation and carefully sets the glass within Monkey’s reach so he can grab it himself.
Monkey turns to me as if asking for permission, his wide, terrified blue eyes stabbing my heart.Visha did this. She made this sweet little boy so afraid of kindness.
“Hey, no need to worry. These people are nothing like that organ-harvesting witch. They’re my friends.” I whisper, kissing the top of his head.
I said,Friends. Are we friends? We only met a week ago. But they’reHorsemen. That bond is just as strong, if not stronger, than our blood bonds.
