Page 30 of Galen

“You don’t have a choice in the matter.”

I glared. “You could be nicer to me.”

“It’s not my job to baby you.”

Galen’s nostrils flared as we stared each other down.

“Hey!” Gray poked his head through the open doorway to my right. “What are you guys doing?”

“Show Simon around the place,” Galen said, turning away from me. “I have other matters to attend to.”

He left without another word, his heavy boots clicking on the floor as he went down the hall.

“Don’t mind him,” Gray said, looping his arm with mine. He seemed overly affectionate and clingy. Kind of like… well, a real sloth. “He’s like that with everyone. Since you’ve been around, he’s actually been nicer. If you can believe it.” He led me into the room he’d just come out of. “This is one of my favorite places in the mansion. It has the comfiest couch ever.”

One side of the room had a TV and shelves of gaming consoles. Even retro systems. I was impressed. Not as impressed as I was when I saw the arcade. A glass wall separated the two rooms, with a door to pass between them. I glided a hand across the pinball machine in awe. I felt like a little kid again.

“You can play if you want.” Gray jumped on the couch and grinned as he curled up on the cushion. “I’m just gonna lie here for a bit.”

He napped while I played Pac-Man. After a while, I left the arcade and passed through the door where the couches and TV were. Raiden came in and chuckled at Gray.

“Sorry about him.”

“It’s fine,” I said. “If you guys really are the deadly sins, he can’t help it.”

“I’m glad your mind hasn’t snapped yet.” Raiden plopped down beside Gray and turned on the TV. A bag of chips was under his arm, which he wasted no time tearing into.

“Uh. Yeah. Me too.”

I stood and walked over to the window. The sun was sinking low in the sky, taking the light with it. Was I really stuck there at the mansion? For how long? I might not have had an overly exciting life, but it was mine. And I wanted to go back to it.

“Hey.” Raiden came to stand beside me. “Keep your chin up, little human. Things could be worse.”

“I keep hearing that,” I said, focusing on a lone cloud. “But it doesn’t mean things aren’t shitty right now.”

After Gray napped, we left the entertainment room, and he showed me the indoor pool. Windows surrounded it, letting in the sun. A rock waterfall was at one end, creating a soothing sound.

“Nice, right?” Gray stuck his foot in the pool. “Always at a good temperature too. Oh, and if you want more privacy, you can do this.” He bounced over to the wall and turned a knob. Shutters closed over the windows. “The roof opens up too. At night, you can look up at the stars if you want. I don’t swim too much though. It makes me sleepy.”

I got the feeling everything made him sleepy.

I swept a gaze throughout the room, noticing beach chairs along one wall and a door beside them. A door that led outside. My heart picked up speed, and I stepped to the left, pretending to look at a marble statue in the corner—probably Castor’s doing since it looked expensive. I eyed the door and took another step toward it.

Where I’d run? I had no idea. I didn’t even knowwhereI was, other than a fancy-ass mansion. If I could find a road, I could run until I found someone to help. Part of me thought I was being ridiculous. Regardless if I believed Galen’s story about them being demon-fighting half angels, I knew the attack had been real. Something had nearly torn me apart in my shop. But I couldn’t shake the unease of being trapped in a mansion with strange men.

I inched closer to the door.

“Do you not like me?”

I looked at Gray. He stood beside me, his brown eyes big and sad.

“Huh?”

“You’re trying to leave,” he said, glancing at the door. “Am I making you uncomfortable? Being annoying? I can try not talking so much.”

And just like that, the urge to leave fled.

“I just wanted some fresh air,” I lied. “I enjoy your company, Gray.”