“No, I wasn’t aware. But that doesn’t matter.” A frustrated response, his mouth pinched. “Druids are taught from birth the consequences of choosing dark power, and yet you stand before me with red eyes and a dark chi. Your presence alone tells me the Guardians have become a liability.”
Titus cocked his head, a familiar presence walking the halls behind him. “Rae.” He nodded to his side, a hint of desire darkening her eyes at his command. She smirked, leaning closer to Edwards ear.
“Be very careful who you threaten, Councilman Edwards.” With a last pressure of her blade, she stepped back. “You’re not immortal.”
Edwards didn’t touch the blood that dripped down his cheek, his jaw clearly clenched. His eyes returned to the door, which opened as if on command. Titus didn’t bother to turn, knowing who it was who’d entered.
“I’m not your dog,” Sythe growled, the scent of copper, death, and rot flowing along with every step. He gripped a head in a tight fist, the hair auburn as he dropped it with a thud onto Edwards’s desk.
Titus expected panic, maybe even a full-on attack at seeing the head of Bishop, his face frozen in death. But with Rae beside him, her hand pressed gently against his heart, he felt nothing but grim satisfaction.
‘Looks like you’ve been busy,’he commented, connecting mentally to his brother.
Sythe turned, meeting his gaze.‘This one’s for you.’He raised his brow at Rae.‘And your new mate?’Titus nodded, and Sythe grinned.‘Fucking hell, what else have I missed?’
Edwards recoiled from the head,the chair scraping as he pushed it back. “Is this the Daemon that murdered Vector Wallace?”
“The very same, your highness.” Sythe bowed, a sarcastic dip of his waist. “But this wasn’t done for you, it was for my brother.”
“He’s not your brother,” Edwards snarled.
Sythe shrugged, not seeming to care. “And you’re nothing but a sperm donor.”
If Rae recognised Sythe as one of the men who beat up Miles, she didn’t let on. “Are you telling me, Mr ‘scared of anything with breasts’ has touched a woman?” She snorted. “I don’t believe you.”
“That’s quite enough.” Edwards clicked his fingers, the doors opening, and the security returning. “I ask that you all leave the premises immediately, and son, I expect an answer soon.”
Sythe shook his head. “I’ve already given you an answer, it’s go fuck yourself.” He flipped up his middle finger. “You can tell the Fates that too.”
Edward’s skin flushed angrily.
Titus reached for Rae, following the security out of the abbey, back through the twists and turns until they’d been kicked out into the surrounding green, Sythe chuckling behind them.
“Such a pompous prick,” Rae said, biting at her lip. “Should have let me kill him.”
Titus laughed, tugging her against his chest. She was everything he never knew he wanted, needed. Her smile, her laughter, and even her attitude.
“So, are you going to introduce me before I go back?” Sythe asked. “Or are you going to make me beat it out of you?”
Titus brushed his fingers along Rae’s jaw. “Sythe, I’d like to introduce you to my mate.”
* * *
RAE
The pendant was cracked, what looked like lightning shooting through the centre of the blue stone. It didn’t matter to her, not when the celestrial relic had likely saved her life. The spell Vivian had thrown had been a black curse, at least that was what Kyra had said, explaining there was a residue on her aura.
Not that Rae could see, or feel her own aura, so she had to trust the witch.
“Are you ready yet?” Eva called with barely constrained excitement.
“Perfection takes time!” she shouted from the bathroom, applying a sweet-smelling cream to her skin. It created an extra protective layer, helping the burns heal with minimal scarring.
Eva, Alice and Sam waited impatiently, ready to hit a karaoke bar on the other side of the city. Rae couldn’t contain her excitement, but Titus had delayed her by a good thirty minutes. She had no regrets, that man a professional with his fingers.
“You’re already perfect,” Sam chuckled, his knuckles racking against the closed door. “But if you take any longer, we’re going without you.”
Rae shook her head, eyes dropping to the new guild mark between her breasts. There was still the moon, but beside it was a stylised sun, indicating the new leadership for Crimson Hollow. It could have been worse, but Kyle already seemed a much fairer Guildmaster, even paying her for her hits, rather than keeping the money.
