Page 28 of Gray

“Humans can be so daft sometimes.” Phoenix sighed. “He’ll give you a clean slate by wiping your memory. The bad parts anyway. No more nightmares. No more guilt.”

The offer was more tempting than it should’ve been, and I instantly hated myself for even considering it. I had dedicated my life to protecting people, to fighting the bad guy, whether it be stopping terrorists or literal monsters. So to consider joining the dark side—great, now I was imagining Phoenix as a Sith lord—went against everything I believed in.

But to forget that night, to fully breathe again without guilt weighing me down—what price would I pay for that freedom?

“Why use me as a spy? Why not just kill them?”

The demon cocked his head. “Because my boss doesn’t want them dead. Not yet anyway.”

“I have a better idea,” a vaguely familiar gruff voice said from above me. “You can die right here and now, demon.”

“Where’s the fun in that?” Phoenix said, though he didn’t seem nearly as cocky as before.

Galen jumped down from the rooftop, his large black wings catching on the breeze before he landed between us. He glared over at me. “I thought I told you to leave town.”

“I don’t take orders from you.”

He snarled before pinning that heated gaze on the demon. “I’m surprised you stooped so low, Phoenix. Going after a mere human? That’s beneath you.”

“It worked once before.” The smile returned to Phoenix’s face. “Or have you forgotten dear Simon being attacked in his shop? He almost died, the pitiful, fragile thing.”

With a roar, Galen lunged at him. The demon vanished just like he’d done earlier, but this time he didn’t reappear. He was gone.

For now.

Without Phoenix to release his aggression on, Galen turned to me, nostrils flaring. But then he paused, and his eyes narrowed slightly, like he was thinking hard about something. Or listening. Seconds later, he focused on me again.

“You’re coming with me.”

“The fuck I am.” This alpha asshole was begging for a beating. Half angel or not, I’d take his ass down.

Galen came closer. “You’re a target now. Why? I don’t know. Other than the fact Gray seems to have taken a liking to you.”

The mention of Gray woke up my heart, made it race faster. “I can take care of myself. I’ve been doing it for years.”

“The monsters you’ve hunted? That was child’s play compared to what’s coming. Now come with me. I won’t ask again.”

“I’m not going anywhere with you.”

“I don’t have time for this.” His arm shot toward me.

I expected him to slug me in the face, but his fingertips pressed to my temple instead. Before I could ask what he’d done, the world around me faded away.

Chapter Five

Gray

Simon screamed as the chainsaw-wielding maniac burst through the front door, surprising a group of drunk teenagers.

I laughed and ate some popcorn. We were in our home theater, sitting in comfy recliners with yummy snacks and watching a slasher movie on the huge screen.

“Why did you pick this one?” he asked, peeking through his fingers.

“’Cause it’s funny.”

“People dying is funny?”

“No. But hearing you scream is.”