“You’re the ambassador of SHA, Sully,” Lucas said as he led them out of the building. “Behave like a professional for once in your life.”
“He’s such a fuddy-duddy,” Sully said. “Can you believe the bloke is just two years older than I am, yet he acts like he’s my father.”
“That’s because you clearly need a father figure,” Lucas said. “And I would appreciate it if you could address me instead of airing your dirty laundry to a stranger.”
“Stranger no longer,” Sully said with a playful wink.
Lux smiled. It seemed no matter what Lucas said, Sully had a comeback. “Don’t worry about it,” she said to Lucas as they entered the neighboring building. “I can handle myself. If he truly gets out of line, I’ll put him in his place.”
“Well, it’s good to see that someone other than myself is capable of showing a little maturity.”
They came to the science lab and Lucas pushed the door open. “We have one of the most advanced and modern facility in all of Nevada.”
“Are you into science?” Sully said. He leaned in closer. “Or perhaps you prefer chemistry.”
“I guess you could say that I have a certain curiosity about science,” she said. “But it’s not a passion.”
“Good enough.”
They headed to the modern gym, then peered into the elegant chapel and finally took a good look at the spacious cafeteria.
While Asher walked behind them with Lucas comparing notes on demon slaying, Sully kept a tight hold on Lux. “I’m really looking forward to spending time with you,” Sully said. He led her out through the modern campus, pointing out various buildings as they walked about.
“We don’t have dorms here,” he said as he headed off campus and down the road to a large house. “Instead, we have a few private homes scattered about that can house several students.”
He stopped in front of a massive home with huge windows, and a terra cotta roof. Lux glanced at the house, not daring to think that it could be her home for her time there.
“This will be yours,” Sully said with pride. “It’s our most beautiful Mediterranean style house. Isn’t it fabulous?”
“You’re kidding,” she whispered. She took in the immensity of the home, the raw iron work on the window grills, the rounded arches and the adorable balcony off the second floor.
“Why are we stopping here?” Asher called out.
Lucas pulled out two sets of keys. He handed one to Lux. “This is your home for the next little while.”
“Holy mackeral,” Asher said.
“Don’t get too excited,” Sully said. “Your flat is out back.”
Lucas handed the second key to Asher.
“These homes are usually reserved for the children of the staff and execs, but since you have angelic blood, we need you to stay nearby,” Lucas said. “Lux will need you as well.”
Asher looked curiously at him. “How do you know what blood I have?”
Lucas led the way up the path and opened the carved front door. “It’s our job to be informed and the type of blood you have is information we need.”
Lucas pushed the door open and Lux gasped as she caught sight of the huge open space.
“Are you kidding me?” she said as they set foot on the marble floor.
A beautiful staircase spiraled up to a grand mezzanine that overlooked the elegant foyer. To the left was a modern den complete with computer, printer and scanner, and to the right was a large library filled with old leather-bound books.
“This is gorgeous, guys. Look at this.” Lux entered the living room and ran her hand over the back of the soft leather sofa. It was even grander than Moore’s lavish home, but with a warmer friendlier feel. “I might never want to leave.”
Sully grinned. “You can stay as long as you like.”
Lucas looked at Lux with a small, shy smile. His features warmed and he lost his cold edge. “I’m glad you like it,” he said softly. “I helped design the house when Mum left London to come live here.”
“Ah, I thought I’d detected a Brit accent,” Asher said.
Lucas pressed a tight grin.
“You designed this?” Lux said, marveling at the architectural details. “Do you have a degree in architecture?”
“Lucas has that innate thing going for him,” Sully said. There was a hint of pride in his tone, but also a bit of envy. “Give him numbers and figures and problems and he’ll figure it out. He designed all this five years ago when he was only fifteen.”
“Seriously?” Lux said. She looked at Lucas who seemed embarrassed by all the attention.
“He graduated high school at fifteen and crossed the pond with Mum, while I stayed behind at some tight-assed finishing school,” Sully griped. “I’d wanted Mum to set me up in my own flat, but she insisted that I board at the school.” He stuck his index finger down his throat and forced a gag. “Such a drag.”
“You were thirteen, you wanker. Mum would have been accused of child abandonment,” Lucas said.
“Never mind him,” Sully said, waving his big brother away. “I’m going to go show her the upstairs. Why don’t you show Angel here his flat.”
Without waiting for a response, Sully led Lux up the stairs while Lucas and Asher headed out the back door.
“I’m eager to show you your room. I’m sure you’ll love it.”
At the mezzanine, Lux looked down at the grandeur of the foyer and then up to the beauty of the ceiling above.
“This way,” Sully said, guiding her down the wide hall. He opened the double doors to a sundrenched room.
As a beautifully warm breeze blew in from the large window, Lux stared at the immense room and gasped. “Do you realize that the entirety of my house back in San Francisco would fit in this room? This is gi-normous.”
In addition to a large sturdy bed, the room had two lovely leather loveseats facing one another
