Her Psycho Beasts, page 44
part #3 of Her Vicious Beasts Series
A whoosh of molten power that halts in the air above us.
The sizzle of ethereal flame. Words made of spluttering red flames come to life in the air before us.
DO NOT FOLLOW
DO NOT COME AFTER ME
DO NOT SAVE ME
It is followed by a resounding boom that assaults my bones, my soul. The spiked gong of a regina’s command.
Savage lets out a feral sound that is half grief, half fury.
Lyle falls to his knees.
We’d been so fixated on the serpent king that we’d completely underestimated her. My cunning serpent princess.
“They called me psycho,” I rasp, the words not at all sounding like they’re coming from me, but someone completely different. Someone much worse than before. “They called me mad. But they haven’t fucking seen anything yet.” The Great White in me rises as our regina’s power glows softly under my skin.
This is Aurelia’s revenge for me leaving.
My regina thinks she can play a bloody, murderous game with me.
Well, play a fucking game I will.
Chapter 98
Aurelia
As I lie on my side, gagged, hands and ankles bound on the floor of the rumbling van, my heart pounding in my head and my cheeks wet with tears, I realise my fate had been leading me here all along.
I’d spent my entire adult life running away from this. And despite every desperate attempt, my well-laid plans had led me right into that very place of nightmares. I’m either a complete madwoman, or a genius. Right now, I feel like the former.
A sneering voice in my head, full of guilt and shame, whispers, “What makes you think this is going to work? What makes you think you can bring the serpent king down as his captive on a breeding table?”
“Faith,” I reply. Then more strongly, “And fury.”
Chapter 99
Xander
My insides feel cold as our convoy rolls to a stop many hours later.
I step out of the Drakos Hummer and onto the lush estate of my forefathers. My sire waits for me above the grand stairs and between two sentinel dragon sculptures with an expectant gleam in his dark eyes.
Ghoul steps out of the truck containing Serpent Spawn and I ignore his arrogant gaze. We are not friends. We are barely allies.
As I walk up the black stone stairs, I prod my dragon, but he does not reply.
I address my father, eye to eye. My own voice sounds distant but strong. Because I am. I am stronger than before. More ruthless than before. “I did what you asked of me. I tore my soul in two. Now I am free of her.”
Something heavy is clasped around my neck. I look down to see the solid gold chain and crest of the family sigil returned to its rightful place upon my chest. My father’s arm rests around my shoulders and something in me jolts at the memory of this type of touch. “Well done, my son and heir. Welcome home.”
The story continues in Her Tortured Beasts.
About the Author
Ektaa P. Bali was born in Fiji and spent most of her life in Melbourne, Australia.
She published her first novel in 2020, the beginning of a middle grade fantasy series, before going on to pursue her true passion: Young & New Adult Fantasy.
Her Vicious Beasts is her fourth series set in the Chrysalis-verse and Her Rabid Beasts is the second in the series.
She currently lives in Brisbane, Australia.
Also by E.P. Bali
New Adult Fantasy Romance
A Song of Lotus and Lightning Saga:
#1 The Warrior Midwife
#2 The Warrior Priestess
#3 The Warrior Queen
#1 The Archer Princess
#2 The Archer Witch
#3 The Archer Queen
Her Vicious Beasts
#0.5 The Beginning
#1 Her Feral Beasts
#2 Her Rabid Beasts
#3 Her Psycho Beasts
#4 Her Tortured Beasts
#5 Her Monstrous Beasts
Upper YA Dark Fantasy
The Travellers:
#1 The Chrysalis Key
#2 The Allure of Power
#3 The Wings of Darkness
E. P. Bali, Her Psycho Beasts
