(ZANE)
"Don't mind him," Loki says, looping his arm with mine. He seems overly affectionate and clingy. Kind of like… well, a real sloth. "He's like that with everyone. Since you've been around, he's actually been nicer. If you can believe it."
He leads me into the room he's just come out of. "This is one of my favorite places in the mansion. It has the comfiest couch ever."
One side of the room had a TV and shelves of gaming consoles. Even retro systems. I am impressed.But not as impressed as I am when I see the arcade.
A glass wall separates the two rooms, with a door to pass between them. I glide a hand across the pinball machine in awe. I feel like a little kid again.
"You can play if you want." Loki jumps on the couch and grins as he curls up on the cushion. "I'm just gonna lie here for a bit."
He napped while I play Pac-Man. After a while, I leave the arcade and pass through the door where the couches and TV are.
Kaiser comes in and chuckles at Loki.
"Sorry about him."
"It's fine," I say.
"If you guys really are the deadly sins, he can't help it."
"I'm glad your mind hasn't snapped yet." Kaiser plops down beside Loki and turns on the TV.
A bag of chips is under his arm, which he wastes no time tearing into.
"Uh. Yeah. Me too." I stand and walked over to the window.
The sun is sinking low in the sky, taking the light with it.
Am I really stuck there at the mansion? For how long? I may not have had an overly exciting life, but it is mine. And I want to go back to it.
"Hey." Kaiser comes to stand beside me.
"Keep your chin up, little human. Things could be worse."
"I keep hearing that," I say, focusing on a lone cloud. "But it doesn't mean things aren't shitty right now."
After Loki naps, we leave the entertainment room, and he shows me the indoor pool. Windows surround it, letting in the sun. A rock waterfall is at one end, creating a soothing sound.
"Nice, right?"
Loki sticks his foot in the pool. "Always at a good temperature too. Oh, and if you want more privacy, you can do this." He bounces over to the wall and turns a knob. Shutters close over the windows.
"The roof opens up too. At night, you can look up at the stars if you want. I don't swim too much though. It makes me sleepy."
I get the feeling everything makes him sleepy.
I sweep a gaze throughout the room, noticing beach chairs along one wall and a door beside them. A door that leads outside. My heart picks up speed, and I step to the left, pretending to look at a marble statue in the corner—probably Thereon's doing since it looks expensive. I eye the door and take another step toward it. Where I'd run? I have no idea.
I don't even know where I am, other than a fancy-ass mansion. If I can find a road, I could run until I find someone to help.
Part of me thinks I am being ridiculous. Regardless if I believed Blaine's story about them being demon-fighting half angels, I know the attack was real.
Something had nearly torn me apart in my shop. But I can't shake the unease of being trapped in a mansion with strange men. I inch closer to the door.
Do you not like me?"
I looked at Loki. He is standing beside me, his brown eyes big and sad.
"Huh?"
"You're trying to leave," he says, glancing at the door.
"Am I making you uncomfortable? Being annoying? I can try not talking so much."
And just like that, the urge to leave flies away. "I just wanted some fresh air," I lie. "I enjoy your company, Loki."
He beamed at me. "Oh, okay. If you want to step outside, we can."
And we do.
I don't try running either. Not that there was anywhere to run. The sea is in front of the mansion, and a mountain rose behind it. I see a narrow road, but we are literally in the middle of nowhere.
Loki takes me to the gym once we go back inside. It is equipped with everything you could ever need—treadmills, weights of all sizes, punching bags, a bike machine, and even a small basketball court off to the side.
"Working out makes me sleepy too. But Blaine and Kaiser love this room."
Made sense. They are the most muscled out of the group. I remember the fullness of Blaine's biceps as he crossed his arms over his wide chest. What I wouldn't give to be the shirt on his back? He might be a jerk, but he sure is a hot one.
"For the last stop on the tour, your bedroom," Loki says, entering a room and throwing himself on the bed. "I hope you like it."
"Oh." A very small part of me is disappointed I won't be staying in Blaine's room again. Which is dumb. Blaine already made it all too clear what he thinks of me. I am nothing more than a job to him.
"Don't worry," Loki said, misreading my mood. "The sheets are clean. Kian had Valerian set everything up for you while I was showing you the house."
At my confused look, he adds, "We can communicate through our thoughts. He told me about it after I woke up from my nap."
Telepathic abilities. Just another strange thing to add to the ever growing list of crazy shit I've experienced lately.
The room has a queen-sized bed, a closet, a flat-screen TV mounted on the wall, and a connecting bathroom. A large window looks out over the sea, and I lean against the frame, admiring the view.
Closing my eyes, I hear the waves crash against the bottom of the rocky cliff. I also hear something else. Small intakes of air.
I look over my shoulder, seeing Loki asleep on my bed. I smile and turn back to the window.
If this is a dream, it is the most vivid one I've ever had.