Page 109 of G.O.D.S Omnibus

“Everything is fine,” I say, mustering up a fake smile. “I’ve decided to go to the academy next year and they have housing for us and mine is ready now. So why wait, you know?”

I don’t know how much Petra knows, so a half lie works.

“That’s good. I’m so glad things are working out for you. It’s been lovely having you around the house.”

“I still plan to stop in for those cooking lessons. Can’t live on noodles and toast for my entire life.”

She laughs and rewards me with a bright smile. We say our goodbyes, and I head outside and throw my suitcase in the boot. I make a second trip for Rathew’s cage, but once I’ve got him situated safely in the front seat, I head to Creed’s house to break the news to them. Luckily for me, when I pull in, everyone’s cars are already here.

Unloading my bag, I walk up the stairs to the door. After I let myself in, I wander around the house until I find everyone in the kitchen seated around the table. They all look up as I enter the room.

“What’s in the bag?” Kai asks.

“If Chester is moving in, then so am I. Mr Z wants us to be a damn team, then so be it. Why wait until the end of the year?”

“You can’t just invite yourself to move in.” Trace smirks, clearly amused by my declaration.

“Yes, I can. Chester informed me we were all going to be living here anyway. What better way to bond? I can’t work on trying to be nice to you all if I’m avoiding you.”

“Sounds reasonable,” Creed adds.

“Oh, Kai, can you go get Rathew out of the car? His cage is heavy.”

“You brought the rat?” he asks.

“Of course I did. We can add him to the death noodles and naked cat.”

Kai smiles at that and heads outside.

Chester snorts. “The cat is weird as fuck.”

“Take that back!” Creed spits as he jumps up from his chair and puts Chester in a headlock.

“No, his naked balls sit all over the kitchen bench, and it’s gross.”

“Okay, boys, calm down. I need a bedroom, Creed. Preferably one that’s away from you guys.”

“It’s been sorted for years, Tenshi. Laughn had one wing of the house for him and the others, and I have a wing for me and the guys. That set of stairs,” he says, pointing to a closed door, “goes to a loft room which is yours.”

“That’s only eleven rooms. Chester said there are fifteen. What are the others?”

“There are a couple down on the main floor, one Chester and Kai will use for their tattoo studio, and there are also a few guest rooms.”

“Oh, well, let’s show me to my new room, then.”

Creed mockingly bows as Kai comes back just in time to follow us up to the room. The staircase in the kitchen is hidden behind a door that looks like a pantry. It’s a very narrow spiral set of stairs, and we all go up single file until we reach a door at the top and Creed pushes it open.

I stand in awe as I look around the room. The massive windows overlook the picturesque backyard.Holy shit, is that a lake?I didn’t realise there’s one at the back of the property. There is a couch facing the view out the window and bookshelves line the walls on either side.

I’ve noticed a gothic theme running through the house, and my room is not an exception. The walls are black and most of the furniture fits that theme. There is a large four-poster bed, the frame made of black wrought iron, and it rests against the back wall with fairy lights hanging behind it. My eye is then drawn to a white shag-pile rug in the centre of the room, and from there, to a vanity with a mirror against a wall between two doors. One leads to a walk-in closet, and the other appears to be an en suite.

“This is beautiful,” I whisper in awe, taking in the artwork on the walls.

“We started working on it years ago, with the hope you would be able to come back. It felt weird preparing the house for everyone and you not having a space,” Creed says, coming to stand behind me.

My skin instantly prickles with pain at the thought of being touched, but he leaves a small space between us. I relax within seconds, something only Creed can do.

“It’s perfect,” I whisper.

---