Page 125 of Spit

“Have you been able to Lace?” Arlo asked.

I shook my head. “I haven’t tried,” I admitted.

Arlo held out his arm, allowing me to hold onto the crook of his elbow. I knew what Lacing was the same way I knew what a segway was or what sea urchins looked like. I didn’t know how Lacing felt—I had never had that pleasure.

The world folded in front of my eyes to a single point, leaving behind the darkness and giant burning stars close enough to touch. There was no air, no sound. The world continued to shift like a Rubik's cube before the familiar sight of Arlo’s lab greeted us. I sucked in the air, placing my hand on my chest as I hunched over.

“I’m not sure I like that sensation,” I told him.

“It takes some getting used to.” Arlo winced.

Together, we walked through Hemlock House, up the winding staircase, and past the dining room. I didn’t know what to expect, but it felt like the other shoe was about to drop.

For the past month, each of the stewards had avoided me. No one had tried to introduce me to the Gluttony sector or tell me my duties. I had been placed on a sabbatical/vacation for all intents and purposes.

They hadn’t chosen me, I realized.

I had chosen them. I had risked everything and given away my previous life for six damaged demonic men.

Quinn, who had helped me when we were alone and drugged. Who had spoken to me when it felt like my sanity was waning. Those days in the sterile white cells with no one but a nude Greed demon felt like a million miles away, but not far enough. I had come out of that cell changed, and I knew that I would have lost myself if Quinn hadn’t shown my kindness in the dark.

Mars, who had shielded me with his body. Who had kept me warm when I had forgotten anything but the cold.

Sev, calculating and untrusting, was perhaps the person who was most like me. Even though he was a lust demon, I had never felt his magic touch me since we first met. He gave me space. He made me laugh. Everyone underestimated Sev, but I saw him for who he was.

Trey, who had woken me up. Had made me feel at home for the first time in the red city. Had let me imagine a life with the stewards for the first time. A future.

Arlo, a demon, lost his mind with rage at the idea of me being hurt. Who I knew would keep my heart safe if I gave it to him. He would love completely and without restraint.

And Legion. Damaged, beautiful Legion with his savior complex and his impenetrable mask.

I had no idea how we had ended up in the central wing, on the same corridor as my room, but it seemed once again that the house had a mind of its own. Arlo led me to another room at the end, opening the door to reveal a suite.

My eyes struggled to focus as I took in the décor, mirrors upon mirrors. A ceiling made of a single sheet of reflective glass, an ornate floor-to-ceiling mirror at the end of the four-poster bed. Plush purple velvet bedspread and a white sheepskin rug on the floor.

A wide archway separated the bedroom from the living room. Golden love seats, with dancing white filigree designs on the fabric, were arranged in a square around a fire pit made of chrome and lava stones. Versailles, in the present day.

The stewards sat on the settees, waiting for me. Arlo, at my side, fiddled with his fingers before crossing his arms over his chest and standing to the side.

“What’s going on?” I asked.

Legion brushed his hands down the front of his tailored pants as he stood up and turned to face me. Over the past few weeks, I thought I had deciphered most of his facial expressions, but I couldn’t read the one on his face—and that scared me.

“Legion?” I lowered my voice to a whisper. Concerned. “Is everything okay?”

Legion sighed, running his hand through his dark hair and tugging the strands. “Ms. Boudaire, please take a seat.”

“Uh-oh.” I joked. “What did I do now?”

No one said a word. That wasn’t good.

“We’ve come to a decision,” Legion announced.

Sev, whose arm rested on the back of the couch, snorted in derision. “Speak for yourself, benevolent leader.” He said dryly. “If you think I’m going along with this, you’re cracked.”

Legion ignored Lust.

My eyes trailed over each of the men. Mars looked away when our gazes met, and Quinn held eye contact for a blink before looking away as well.

---