Grey Blood - Chapter 13: Chapter 13

After Alec and Elias left, the house felt strangely different.
It wasn't empty—far from it. The remaining five brothers were still there, loud and full of life, filling the space with their casual banter and teasing remarks.
But without Elias's strict presence or Alec's protective hovering, Angelina felt... untethered.
She was used to being unnoticed, slipping into the background, making herself small.
But here?
Here, she had six brothers who wouldn't let her fade into the shadows.
Leo, lounging lazily on the couch, was the first to speak. "So, Little Star, what do you want to do today?"
Angelina hesitated. "I... I don't know."
Caleb grinned. "How about we show you around the house?"
Jace smirked. "Yeah, we never got the grand tour." He gives Angelina a knowing look, know one knows he already showed her some part of house last night
Following the act Angelina nodded shyly.
"Perfect," Leo said, stretching. "Let's go before Damien forces us into some kind of chore."
Damien, who was already in the kitchen wiping the counters, shot him a look. "I heard that."
Jace grinned. "We know."
Angelina felt her lips twitch upward.
Maybe... this wouldn't be so bad.
The mansion was bigger than she had realized.
They started with the game room—a massive space with pool tables, a foosball table, a dartboard, and an entire wall lined with gaming consoles.
"This," Jace declared dramatically, "is the most sacred part of the house."
Leo snorted. "You say that about the kitchen too."
Jace shrugged. "Both are equally important."
Caleb grinned. "What do you think, Angel? Do you game?"
Angelina shook her head. "I... I've never played before."
The room went silent.
Jace gasped. "Never?"
Angelina shrunk back. "Um... no?"
Leo chuckled, ruffling her hair. "Don't worry, Little Star. We'll fix that."
Angelina relaxed slightly.
They moved on to the indoor pool, which left her completely speechless.
A huge glass ceiling let the sunlight stream in, making the water glisten.
Caleb grinned. "We'll have to have a pool day soon."
Angelina blinked. "I... don't know how to swim."
Jace clutched his chest. "Angel. You're giving me a heart attack."
Caleb rolled his eyes. "Relax, Jace." Then he turned to her, his voice warm. "It's okay. We'll teach you."
She didn't know how to respond to that.
No one had ever offered to teach her things before.
By the time the tour ended, Jace had somehow convinced everyone to have a movie night.
"No horror," leo warned. "She'll never sleep again."
Angelina blushed. "I don't mind..."
Leo hummed. "Still, let's not traumatize you on your second day."
Jace pouted but relented.
Instead, they settled on an action movie.
Leo pulled Angelina down next to him on the couch, Caleb sitting on her other side.
It was... nice.
The warmth, the casual teasing, the way they pulled her into their world so easily.
The movie played on the massive screen, filling the room with explosions and dramatic music.
But Angelina wasn't really watching.
She was too caught up in the feeling of being surrounded.
Not by danger.
Not by hostility.
By warmth.
Leo was sitting on one side of her, relaxed but attentive, occasionally nudging a pillow under her back so she was comfortable. Caleb was on her other side, stealing popcorn from the bowl in her lap and grinning every time she looked at him.
Jace, Leo, Nikolai, and Damien were sprawled across the couches, Jace making exaggerated sound effects, Damien sighing every time they got too loud, and Nikolai...
Well, Nikolai barely reacted at all.
But at least he hadn't left this time.
It was... nice.
Not something she was used to.
But something she could maybe, just maybe, get used to.
At some point, she must have gotten sleepy, because the next thing she knew, her head was resting against Leo's shoulder.
He didn't move.
Didn't shift away.
Instead, he pulled the blanket over her a little more and murmured, "Rest,bunny."
His voice was softer than she expected.
So was Caleb's, when he whispered, "She's gonna pass out any second."
Angelina forced her eyes open. "I—I'm awake..."
Jace snorted. "Sure you are."
She frowned. "I am."
Leo smirked. "You just blinked like, five times in slow motion."
Damien sighed. "She needs to sleep."
Nikolai scoffed. "Then she should go to her room."
The moment the words were out, Leo and Caleb both turned to glare at him.
Jace waved a hand. "Ignore him. He's just mad he actually likes having you around and doesn't know how to deal with it."
Nikolai's expression darkened. "Shut up, Jace."
Jace just grinned.
Angelina watched the exchange, feeling something strange settle in her chest.
Nikolai wasn't nice to her.
But he hadn't tried to push her away this time.
That was... progress, right?
After the movie ended, everyone started heading to their rooms.
Angelina got up slowly, still groggy, and almost stumbled.
Leo caught her arm. "Careful, Little Star."
Damien, ever the mother hen, frowned. "Are you sure you're okay?"
She nodded quickly. "Yes. Just... tired."
Caleb ruffled her hair. "Get some rest, Angel."
She hesitated.
And then, before she could overthink it, she whispered, "Goodnight."
It was small.
Quiet.
But it mattered.
Leo smiled. "Goodnight, Little Star."
Caleb grinned. "Sweet dreams, Angel."
Jace smirked. "Don't let the bedbugs bite, Bunny."
Damien just gave her a warm look. "Sleep well."
She turned toward her room, feeling lighter.
And then, just as she reached the door, a voice—gruff, reluctant—spoke from behind her.
"...Goodnight."
She froze.
Slowly, she turned back.
Nikolai wasn't looking at her.
His arms were crossed, his expression neutral.
But it was him.
He had said it.
A small warmth bloomed in her chest.
"...Goodnight, Nikolai."
She didn't wait for a response.
But she swore, as she closed her bedroom door, she saw him soften—just for a second.