Page 33 of Gray

“You heard the man,” I said to Mason, motioning toward the barstool. Raiden filled two bowls and placed them on the island. I yawned as I slid onto the seat. “Ray makes the best food.”

“Are you about to pass out again?” Mason’s hands moved forward, as if preparing to catch me if I toppled over.

Why did that make me melt?

“Nah. I’m good right now. Just a little bit tired. I have another hour in me at least before I zonk out again.”

“I only have like five seconds left in me before I die of starvation.” Raiden slurped noodles from his bowl, euphoria washing across his face. “Damn. That’s some good stuff.”

I brought my bowl closer and ate some too. It tasted amazing—not that I expected anything less. I’d eaten so much food over the years, but Raiden’s was always my favorite. He put so much care and love into every meal he cooked.

Mason didn’t eat. He didn’t sit down either.

“You can relax.” I patted the seat beside me. “Sit. I promise you’re safe here.”

That hard look returned to his eyes. “I was brought here against my will and told I can’t leave.Safeis far from how I feel. For all I know, that food could be drugged.”

“If we wanted to put you back to sleep, we wouldn’t need to drug your food,” I said. “We’d just have to touch your temple. Now, come on. Food’s getting cold.”

“Not hungry.” Mason turned and exited the kitchen.

“Uh-oh.” I sighed and slid off the barstool. “Guess I better go after him.”

“Need help?” Raiden shifted from his easygoing, goofy personality to a protector.

“Nah. I can handle it. Keep my noodles safe!” I jogged after Mason.

From behind me, Raiden said, “Oh, I will,” followed by a slurp.

“Where’d ya go?” I mumbled to myself, rushing down the hall and checking the rooms. He couldn’t have gone far. I tapped into the feeling I now associated with Mason and let my senses guide me. The tingling sensation over my skin heightened when I reached the foyer.

The front door was slightly ajar.

“Oh no.” I flung it open and sprinted down the steps into the cold night. “Mason?”

Would he really have run?

“Don’t sound so worried,” a sexy voice said from my left. He stood about ten feet away, face turned toward the sky. The night was clear, the moon shining bright. He peered over at me. “I don’t have a death wish. Trying to run from you guys is pointless.”

“Why are you out here, then?” I walked over to him.

“I needed space.”

I stopped in the grass. “Oh. So me chasing after you probably isn’t helping, huh?”

“You’re fine.” He looked up at the stars again. “It’s quiet out here. Are we still in Echo Bay?”

“Yep.” I kept about a foot between us and shoved my hands in my front hoodie pocket. “We live on the outskirts of town. Probably shouldn’t tell you that, huh? In case youdotry to leave. I’ve never been good at keeping secrets. It’s why my specialty isn’t anything that involves keeping my mouth shut. Don’t get me wrong. I’m sneaky when I wanna be. Stealthy and quiet. But I love to talk. I’m blabbing a lot. Sorry.”

“No. It’s fine.” Questions shone in his eyes. “You mentioned a specialty. What do you mean?”

“Like a special skill for wartime,” I explained, rocking on my heels. “All of us have one. Galen and Raiden are the muscle. Alastair’s the brain. You know, like the commanding officer who strategizes and gives us orders.”

“What is yours? Killing the enemy with cuteness?”

“Do you really think I’m cute?” I asked with a grin.

Mason averted his gaze.