Order of Scorpions

by Ivy Asher

Something warm settles in my chest. If I didn’t know better, I’d think it was hope, but I’ve long since learned my lesson from playing with that poison.

I feel as though there are so many unspoken things taking up the space between what he is saying and what he means. It’s oddly cryptic and annoying.

Being that it solves nothing at the moment, I tidy up my anger and set it aside to be revisited later.

“Brothers, I think we created a monster,” he declares with faux solemnity. The other two snicker. I give a derisive snort. “I was already a monster; you just showed me how to embrace it.” “Awww, Beasty!” Riall coos, picking me up and twirling me around. “That’s the sweetest thing anyone’s ever said to me!”