“Gray, is something wrong?” she asked.
Charlotte wasn’t a bad mortal as far as they went. She attended temple weekly and prayed. Those prayers had never been directed at me but aimed at my brothers and Sloan. Protection, love, children — everything Charlotte wished for her life to be filled with.
“No. Why do you ask?” I answered curtly.
“You’ve seemed volatile the last few weeks.”
Volatile was one way of putting it. I was constantly livid or in pain, and I couldn’t decipher why.
When people prayed to me, I granted it with a little more tenacity than usual and I was waiting for Hunter to call me out on it, but it looked like his marital problems were taking centre stage at the moment, allowing me to get away with my misdemeanours.
I shrugged in response.
“You know.” Charlotte sighed. “You can talk to me if you need anything.”
I looked at her for a few moments and wondered what she might say or what advice she might offer if I told her, I’d fucked her friend multiple times and that she was actually a demigoddess, and if any of that came to light, we’d both be dead.
“I’ll pass if it’s all the same.”
“I don’t know how Quentin puts up with you sometimes.”
I huffed.
“And Tyler. You can be impossible, Grayson.”
I’d much rather talk to Quentin. That was the strange thing about it. I didn’t just crave her physically. I missed finding out about her day. I wanted to lie in bed with her and listen to her complain about an experiment that didn't work until she finally gave into sleep. There was a growing chasm between us, and it felt too much.
And it was partially my fault. Avoiding her had seemed like the only logical option, but without her, I felt empty. No one challenged me the way she did. No one amused me with their antics the way Quentin could.
When I left Charlotte’s office, the institute was quiet. It was just gone five and if I knew Quen, which I’d like to say I did, then she wouldn’t have finished with the rest. She’d still be in the lab.
Quentin had told me to stay away from her, but I couldn’t. No one had successfully told me what to do in centuries. The desire to be around her was too strong and so I’d attempt to be around her and stay in control.
Tonight, I’d make us both dinner and she could tell me about work and whatever else she wanted just so I could spend time with her.
Why wait until tonight? I could find her in the lab and wait for her to finish.
When I walked into the room, the benches were empty, but something felt off. I picked up the pace, walking down the aisle.
“Scott,” I called out. “I wanted to… ARCHER!”
He was standing in front of Scott and before I could stop him, his bare fingers brushed against the skin of her cheek.
I didn’t think before unleashing my aura, pushing him away and leaving a wall of it in front of her for protection.
“Leave her alone,” I growled, striding up beside her.
“I just wanted to know what’s so interesting about her, but I’m starting to see it now. I couldn’t get a read.”
I faltered slightly. “No read?”
“Not a single thing. I mean, I know she’s an angel, but you’re telling me she’s got no secrets? It makes no sense.”
I shook my head. “She’s spent a lot of time with Gods. She’s been up to Elysia. Who knows how her body is coping with those changes?”
“We should! Perhaps I’ll talk to Gareth and Hunter about extending this little project.” He turned to Quentin. “You need control samples, right? Maybe you can add yourself to the mix because something isn’t right here.”
Archer dropped his aura and stalked out of the lab. Turning at the door, he said, “I’ll be in touch, Scott.”
