Blood trickled down my leg and pride welled in my chest at the force of her stab. I liked that she wasn’t a weak, simpering fool; it was extremely attractive how strong she was.
Scorpius couldn’t stop laughing, and Orion grinned over at her.
Dr. Palmer’s mouth was wide open. The alarm went off, signaling the end of the session, but she didn’t react. She seemed stunned by Arabella’s violence.
We RJE’d away before she could come to her senses.
Entering our barracks, I stared down at the book in my hands labeled, “Journal to Help Facilitate Relations among the Criminally Insane,” and my spirits soared.
Chapter 21
Journal Prompt #1
TRUTH JOURNAL TO HELP FACILITATE RELATIONS AMONG THE CRIMINALLY INSANE
What does a toxic relationship look like to you? How does this relationship make you feel?
Aran Alis Egan
This is fucking stupid, but I can’t sleep, so I’m going to write in this to make it clear how much I hate you.
A toxic “relationship” (this is not a relationship) is whatever I have right now with you three, in case it was not obvious enough.
You’re the worst people I have ever met in my life. You’re unfeeling bullies who hurt others for fun. You need help.
Just thinking about the three of you makes me feel murderous. Other than that, right now I feel nothing but a mountain of nihilism with a smidgeon of self-deprecation.
Side note: Sun god, these pens have a serious truth enchantment. I couldn’t have put it better if I tried.
Corvus Malum
Thank you, Arabella, for taking this seriously.
I will also share my thoughts so we can repair our relationship (you’re right, this is not a simple, pathetic “relationship,” you are my soulmate, which means I would die and kill just to make you smile).
A toxic relationship to me means Arabella, Scorpius, and Orion are all dead. I failed them. I attend their funeral and am so overcome with grief that my flames explode around me and I murder hundreds of thousands of people.
Afterward I walk through the carnage feeling nothing, not even remorse, because my mates are gone, and that is all that matters. I am alone.
Aran Alis Egan
My name is ARAN, not Arabella, you flaming jerk.
Corvus Malum
You are not masquerading as a male anymore. Stop being childish. Arabella is a gorgeous name. You are also the most gorgeous woman I have ever seen in my life.
I didn’t mean to say that.
Aran Alis Egan:
You’re so obsessed with me that it’s insane (HAHA, it’s the truth). Also, remember when I stabbed you earlier with the pen?
I want to stab you every time you call me the wrong name. It fills me with joy (still the truth, take that!).
Corvus Malum
If you hurt yourself again, I will put you over my knee, Arabella. But I’ll let you hurt me any way you need to, as long as you don’t hurt yourself.
That is unacceptable.
I can’t stop thinking about how gorgeous and murderous you are.
Also, you missed.
Aran Alis Egan
ERROR
This is an automated enchanted message that the owner of this journal’s pen is out of their immediate vicinity. They are not ignoring you, don’t panic. The High Court wants you to remember, you are enough and criminal insanity does not define you.
Corvus Malum:
Don’t throw your pen across the room like a brat or I’ll treat you like one. I fantasize about painting your ass red, and I need to cover you in my cum.
Orion Malum
Oooh, are we playing a game where we only talk through the journals?
This is fun.
Nice aim, baby. Don’t worry, I’ll bring your pen back over to you.
Also, in a toxic relationship I can’t talk to my mate or share anything with them. They don’t acknowledge me when I am trying to communicate with them. They don’t let me watch over them as they sleep. They don’t like that I want to own them like a treasure and consume them.
I feel lonely and abandoned.
That is why my relationship with Corvus and Scorpius is not toxic. They always listen to me. That is why I’m enraptured with you Arabella, you fit in with the three of us perfectly.
Aran Alis Egan
Thanks for the pen, Orion. Some people are chivalrous gentlemen unlike other people (MALUM), who are dramatic and misogynistic.
Also, side note, is that why I’ve been having weird dreams about a figure watching over me?
I thought Malum was the only one who did that?
Corvus Malum
I like to stand watch for everyone’s protection. It is my job as Ignis. As my Revered, you should love it.
I noticed you didn’t call me ugly like you so often do when you run that mouth. Perhaps because it’s a lie, my gorgeous girl.
Aran Alis Egan
You’re ugsome, unkind, unruly, and unwell.
Corvus Malum
You can’t write ugly while describing me, can you?
Aran Alis Egan:
Ugsome is a synonym for ugly.
Corvus Malum
Then use it in a sentence, gorgeous. Ugsome also means offensive, which is how you meant it. I like arguing with you. Intellectually you stimulate me, in every sense of the word.
Aran Alis Egan
You are utilitarian. UGH FUCK THIS SHIT. I also like arguing with you. The fact that you aren’t stupid is attractive.
Corvus Malum
I’m hard right now. Everyone, please ignore that.
Aran Alis Egan
You did not just say that.
Orion Malum
Holy sun god, I can’t believe you said that Corvus.
I’m glad your sensitive side is finally coming out for Arabella.
Also, to answer your earlier question, I don’t stand watch like my Ignis. I stalk. It’s different. I need to watch you breathe, or I can’t breathe myself. I’m obsessive compulsive about other people, but I’ve never fixated on anyone like I have you, sweetheart. You’re much more fun to watch than Corvus and Scorpius. I also like to watch Luka.
Sometimes my fixation can turn violent, and I feel terrible for chasing you down the hall in Elite Academy. My urges overcame me, and I lost myself in obsessing over you.
I am truly so sorry.
I never want to be a source of fear for you.
I want to be your home.
Sorry guys, it’s the truth. She smells better, and is prettier, and is captivating, and vicious, and stunning, and is everything I’ve ever wanted in a mate. I want to kill for her.
So. Badly.
Corvus Malum
My feelings are slightly hurt, Orion, but I understand what you’re saying about obsessing. I can’t stop thinking about our Revered. She consumes every second of my thoughts.
These journals must be broken.
Aran Alis Egan
Aw, Malum, your feelings are hurt? Poor baby girl.
Thank you, Orion, for saying sorry. It means a lot. I like that you obsess over me because sometimes I find myself obsessing over you too. Also, I think it’s so adorable that you like Luka. Um, I mean, you’re cool.
Orion Malum
Sweetheart, that’s everything I’ve ever wanted to hear. I love that I can speak aloud to you, and you listen. I love that you aren’t scared of my devotion. I will never stop apologizing for chasing you. Sun god, I’m blushing right now. I’m not ashamed of what I’m saying.
Please don’t tell Luka how I feel.