Page 57 of Gray

“See into my soul?”

“Gray’s told you about our sins?” His nostrils flared. “Well, I’m the holder of Wrath. Each of us have special abilities. One of mine is I can see the good, and bad, in people. I can see the deepest, darkest parts of themselves.”

“Yeah?” I stepped forward. “And what does mydark selfsay about me?”

“That you’re a loose cannon,” he said. “You’re barely holding yourself together. You’re so full of rage I’m surprised you haven’t snapped already.”

“You don’t know shit.”

“Keep lying to yourself, Hawk. But one day, that lie will catch up to you. God help anyone in your path when it does.”

“That’s funny coming from a guy who’s the literal embodiment of Wrath. Like you have any room to talk.”

“I deal with my demons,” Galen said. “Can you say the same? Because what I see is a man who hides from his problems. You cover up the dark shit instead of facing it. That rage is building more inside of you, and one day, sooner rather than later, you’ll blow your top.” He clenched his teeth and spoke through them. “Gray has his own shit to deal with. He—”

“Stop.” Gray appeared behind Galen, all signs of playfulness gone. “I don’t need you to fight my battles for me.”

“You’re not thinking clearly right now,” Galen told him. “You’re blinded by your emotions.”

“The only one blind here is you.” Gray walked over and grabbed my hand. His was shaking a little in mine. “We’re leaving.”

Before I could respond, he threw open the door and hauled me along with him as he stormed outside. Galen didn’t come after us. Not that I expected him to. We walked down the sidewalk for a while in silence before I stopped and turned to Gray.

“Sorry you had to see that,” Gray said, his eyes watering as they met mine. “He treats me like a child. I hate it.”

“He’s just worried about you.”

“You’re defending him?” He wiped at his eyes and looked away. The setting sun brought out the different shades of blond in his hair—golden highlights and lowlights, even a few light brown strands.

“No. He’s a total asshole. But I can see where he’s coming from.” Even more now that I knew about his ability. That explained his attitude toward me.

Galen saw the rage inside me. He saw the anger that swirled through my bloodstream every damn day, like a volcano about to erupt. Some days, I worried it would finally consume me whole. Worried it would take away my humanity and turn me into something I didn’t even recognize anymore.

“Crap,” Gray said, slumping in place. “I’m getting sleepy again.”

I put an arm around him, letting him lean on me. “Let’s get you home.”

***

A pretty blonde girl was in the arcade with Raiden when we returned to the mansion.

“There’s my sleepy boy,” she said before hugging Gray. He had napped in the truck on the way home, so he had a bit more energy. Her green eyes shifted to me. “You must be the hunter I’ve heard so much about. I’m Clara.”

“The witch. I’ve heard about you too.”

“All amazing things, I’m sure.” She winked at Gray.

“The best,” he said. “I told him you saved my life.”

Witches were human, yet I’d dealt with some wicked ones in my time as a hunter. They used magic to conjure demons and spread chaos. To harm. But Gray said Clara specialized in healing magic. Surely that meant she was one of the good ones.

“Did you bring me a present?” Gray asked her.

“I brought lemon bars. But…” She chewed her bottom lip.

Raiden coughed. “I, uh, might’ve eaten them.”

“What?” Gray put his hands on his hips. “You ate my present and didn’t even save me one? That’s it. I’m disowning you. Mason, get him.”