Page 89 of Galen

“Why are you all staring at me?”

Clara averted her gaze while I turned to adjust something on a shelf.

“Good morning,” Simon told him.

“Morning.” Kyo dropped his bag behind the counter. Sometimes he brought his laptop so he could make graphics and promotional posters for the shop that he posted on social media. He also took photos of the items and posted them for potential online buyers. “You know that feeling when you walk into a room and everyone gets quiet?”

“It wasn’t on purpose,” Simon said, the coloring of his cheeks giving away his fib.

“I just came to tell you guys that I’m moving into Ravenwood Mansion,” Clara said without missing a beat. “A majority of my grandmother’s things were sold, but if there’s anything else I find that I think you’d like, I’ll let you know.”

“Oh.” Kyo smiled. “Cool.”

Simon already knew. She had told him through text when she’d made the decision.

“What about London?” Kyo asked. “Didn’t you say you lived there?”

“I lived there with my girlfriend,” Clara answered, then made a face. “Well. Ex-girlfriend now. Turns out she was sleeping with everyonebutme. Who knew. I’ve been planning on moving back here anyway, and she just kind of pushed things along. But anyway. I spent the past few weeks shipping my things over and getting paperwork and all that jazz sorted. I’m just glad I got here before my dumbass dad could sell the house too.”

“So this means we’ll be seeing more of you?” I asked.

“If you’re lucky,” she responded with a honeyed smile.

“Lovely.”

Simon snorted a laugh before pressing his lips together. Kyo regarded him curiously, as if he was trying to figure something out. Then his eyes moved to me. For a moment, I could’ve sworn I saw… something in his gaze. An understanding of some kind. But then it was gone.

“Who wants coffee?” Kyo asked, clapping his hands together once. “This rainy weather makes me want to curl up and take a nap.”

“That would be great,” Simon said. “I just bought some new creamer too. Hazelnut and a caramel macchiato one. They’re in the minifridge.”

“Sweet.” Kyo walked down the hall toward the break room.

“Once I get settled into the mansion, you should come see me,” Clara told Simon. Her green eyes shifted to me. “I’d say you could come too, but there’s no way in hell I’m removing the warding to let you in.”

“He won’t be going anywhere without me,” I said. “Not until I know it’s safe.”

“Then you can drop him off and fly away or something. I don’t know.” Something piqued her interest though, and she tilted her head at Simon. “Are the demons still after you? Is that why it’s not safe?”

Simon nodded. “Since the ring was in my shop, I guess they associate my scent with it.”

Clara poked my chest. “Keep him safe, then, angel boy.”

“Why do you care, witch?” I glared down at her hand as she dropped it back to her side.

She ignored me and turned to Simon. “Your spiritual energy is calming. It’s like a breath of fresh air. Very few people have such a pure aura.”

I understood exactly what she meant, for he had the same effect on me.

The praise triggered Simon’s awkwardness, and he blushed, which I found too fucking precious. “Uh, thanks. I guess?”

“You’re welcome.” Clara slung the strap of her purse across her chest. “Have a good day, boys.”

“You really need to be nicer to her,” Simon said, bumping my arm with his. “It’s not fair to judge her when you don’t even know her.”

Deep down, I knew he had a point. But I’d seen too much bad in the world to ever trust anyone so easily. Especially a witch who may or may not be working with demons.

“I haven’t stayed alive this long by trusting every witch I come across.”