“Titus?” she whispered, pressing her hand into the beast’s nape, the fur strangely soft. The markings that replicated his tattooed symbols brightened through the dark fur, giving off a pale white glow.
Tails, that was what wrapped around her middle, seven furry ropes that kept her to his side. His large head turned slightly, a silver eye blinking at her once before he returned his attention to Cassiel.
What the fuck.
The angel stood as still as a statue. “I meant no harm,” he said slowly.
Rae gripped her pendant once more, the metal no longer hot to touch. “Tell me why it shouldn’t exist?”
Cassiel warily watched Titus. “The blue stone holds a reminiscence of power long gone, a power that corrupted over time. Human minds are so delicate, weakening over generations, causing a sickness. It was why those of the line were culled, before that sickness could be passed onto my ancestors.”
“What sort of sickness?”
“Of the mind.” His eyes were direct when they met hers. “It was a different time, neither realm understanding mental illness as we do today. But the humans were, I guess in your language, worshippers of my people, believed we were gods. So they were gifted stones taken from the heart of the great mountain in Aetherna, beyond the veil to the sky. It protected the human worshippers, and then their children, from death so they could better serve their gods.”
“Death as in not getting my head smashed in when I fell into the sea?”
Titus growled once more, a deep grumble that she felt vibrate through his tails.
“Not entirely. It won’t stop you from suffering injuries, they’ll just be less likely to kill you.” Cassiel smiled, just a slight curve to his lip. “It’s designed to keep you alive, to never suffer from infections, or disease. To heal mortal wounds at a faster rate that would otherwise kill someone without the stone. Your essence became locked to the relic as soon as you wore it, giving you an extended lifespan, only to be removed if you wish to pass the gift to your child, one who also has celestrial blood.”
“There’s the catch,” Rae spat. “Human baby makers in exchange for slower aging. Fucking perfect.”
“Do not degrade such a gift.” Cassiel flung the words like an insult. “It was an honour to receive.”
“If you say so.” Her tone was harsh. “What happens if I remove it without a kid?” She’d not taken the necklace off since she first found it in her music box, and she didn’t plan to.
“You won’t be able to unless you bear a child, or if you’re killed in such a way the stone cannot protect you.”
Rae nibbled her bottom lip. “So how long will I live for if I can’t ever remove it?”
“It’s old, the magic almost dissipated. I could only sense it because of who I am.”
Rae rolled her eyes.Of fucking course onlyhecould sense it,she thought.
“If you don’t suffer from an extreme injury,” he continued, undeterred. “Or succumb to the sickness. Possibly two, three hundred years.”
“Jesus Christ.” Rae stroked along the tails around her waist, trying to sooth the beast that rumbled beside her, so tense it was if he was ready to strike. “So the pendant only works for me? It’s useless to anyone else?”
“Other than your child, yes.” His wings flapped, spreading. “It’s a priceless treasure from a time that no longer exists. Protect it with your life.”
“I don’t –”
Cassiel shot into the sky, the wind generated from the force causing the sand and stones to move. Darkness spread across her vision, Titus’s single wing moving to block the onslaught. With a shaking hand she reached out to touch it, the feathers small, not entirely covering the black skin stretched between the bones.
“I need the man to come back,” she said, Titus loosening his tails enough she could twist free. The beast turned to look at her, tongue falling out the side of his snout like a grin. “Seriously?”
There was no fear, not even when she studied his fangs, or the serrated claws that dug into the sand. He was beautiful in a terrifying way, his body sleek enough for speed, but covered in muscle, with powerful front legs that reminded her of a lion despite the head being closer to a wolf. He stood almost as tall as her, she’d guessed the size of a bear or a small car.
The wind whipped at her hair, reminding her she was soaking wet, and the sun had set. Wrapping her arms around herself, she eyed the large beast “What the fuck am I supposed to do with you?”
Chapter29
Rae
“You sure they’re not going to have an issue?” Rae asked, eyeing the Conservatory Hotel, the white columns framing a grand entrance edged with chrome and gold. Gargoyles protected the double story glass doors, the large stone creatures grumpy and snarling in their frozen positions.
Riley shoved at Titus’s side, who was trying to lay on her lap like a big dog, ears flat to his head. “They’ll be fine, just don’t let Ti harass anyone.”
