The thought registered immediately, followed by a shot of fear that speared straight to her heart. She didn’t want this Argonaut knowing anything about her relationship with Titus. For reasons she couldn’t explain, she had the feeling he’d use it against her. Or Titus.
She fixed an impassive look on her face and crossed her arms over her chest, mimicking his stance. If he wanted to play the part of a bully, so could she. She was, after all, flame and destruction. “I suppose you could wish to stop it. Though that hasn’t worked well for me. Maybe you’ll have better luck.”
His tensing jaw told her he didn’t appreciate sarcasm. Tough shit. She didn’t appreciate being treated like an object.
His palms landed against the sleek table’s surface with a slap, and he leaned forward, his eyes full of distrust. “I don’t know what kind of game you’re playing, but you’ll not do it with one of my Argonauts.”
The heat inside her intensified. “I’m not playing any game. And your Argonaut is a thousand times the hero you are. Let’s stop dancing around. We both know what you plan to do with me. I’m not about to let that happen.”
Theron drew back. He continued to stare, but this time with surprise in his eyes. “Titus is Odysseus’s descendent. He’s the most logical of any of the guardians. He never leaps without thinking through every possible scenario, and he’s the last one of us to be ruled by his emotions. But that fire inside you is fucking with his mind. And every hour he spends with you not only turns him into something he’s not, it jeopardizes his future.”
For the first time since their conversation began, Natasa didn’t have a smart comment to toss back.
The thought that the fire element somehow affected Titus’s thought process hit hard. His inability to walk away from her, his need to help her slowly lit off a whole new set of worries.
“You can threaten all you want,” Theron went on, “but know this. If Titus tries to help you escape, then he’s the one who will suffer. There are consequences to betraying our order. If you care about him at all, you’ll think long and hard about what happens next.”
Natasa’s skin grew hot. Her heart picked up speed. Perspiration formed along her forehead.
Theron moved for the door and pushed it open. The blond guardian who’d touched Titus earlier stepped toward him from the hall.
“I want her placed in a holding cell,” Theron said to him. “Until we can move her to a secure location away from the colony, I don’t want anyone near her. Especially Titus.”
Footsteps sounded from the hall, cutting through Natasa’s frantic thoughts.
A dozen men in armor rushed by. Theron drew one soldier to a halt. “What’s happened?”
The man’s face was taut, his features grim. He was a half-breed. Not nearly as big as the Argonauts, but strong. Natasa remembered his light green eyes, and realized he must have been one of the men who’d brought her and Titus to the colony. “We’re under attack. Satyrs have been seen moving up from the south. And word is there’s a horde of daemons not far behind them.”
Oh, shit…
“Skata,” Theron muttered. “Where’s Nick?”
The half-breed’s features twisted into a scowl “No one knows. We can’t find him.”
“Perfect.” Theron looked toward the blond. “Zander, get her secured, then find Demetrius and start the evacuation process. We need to get the colonists moved over to Argolea in case this goes bad. Then find your mate and the queen and make sure they get the hell out of here. Gods know those females do what the hell they want, when they want.” To the half-breed, he said, “I’ll gather the Argonauts.”
The half-breed nodded. Footsteps pounded in the hall again as he and Theron left, and then Natasa was alone, staring into the face of the blond, strikingly handsome Argonaut who’d brought her man to his knees only minutes ago.
Her man?
Her skin grew even warmer. Yes, Titus was her man, and her heart and head were suddenly in a fierce battle over what to do. Something that only kicked up her fear and agitation more.
She narrowed her eyes. “I don’t like being manhandled.”
“So I hear.” The blond’s silver eyes sparked. “Right now, though, girlie, you’re not the one I’m worried about. Let’s go.”
Satyrs? And Daemons? Fuck…
Titus tugged on his shirt and shoved his feet into the boots he’d kicked off only hours ago. His strength had returned, and now he had only one thought: to get to Natasa before his worst fears came true.
The bed in the room they’d shared was a mess of blankets and sheets, and he could still smell that unique lemony scent he now associated with her. As if she were still here.
He dropped onto the side of the bed, leaned over, and laced his boots, ignoring Callia standing in the doorway, her arms crossed, a pitying look in her violet eyes.
He didn’t need pity right now; he needed action.
Footsteps echoed from the hall. He lifted his head.
Zander stepped into the room, tugging—oh, shit—Natasa in after him. “Close the door, thea.”
Callia quickly shut the door and locked it. Confused, Titus pushed to his feet and looked from face to face. “What’s going on?”
Natasa turned toward Zander. “I thought you were supposed to lock me up.”
“I probably should. But something tells me he’ll”—he nodded toward Titus—“figure a way to break you out no matter where I put you. You can both thank me for saving you a step.”
Shock rippled through Titus, followed by bone-melting relief. He reached for Natasa’s waist, wrapped one hand into her hair, and pulled her into his arms. A muttered “Thank you,” slid from his mouth just before he kissed her sweet, tempting lips.
“I was right.”
The thought came from Callia, followed by a whispered, “See?” But Titus barely cared. All he could focus on was the silky soft skin beneath his hands and the warm lips pressing against his own.
Relief slid to concern. Her skin was hot. Too hot. But he could cool her. He was confident now he was the only one who could.
“Titus, wait.” He drew back at Natasa’s worried voice. “I don’t want to be the reason—”
He looked over her head toward Zander. “Why?”
The Argonaut flashed a lopsided grin and tossed his arm over Callia’s shoulder. He angled his head toward his mate.
“A hunch,” Callia said. “One doesn’t have to read minds to see the obvious.”
“Titus,” Natasa said again. “I’m not going to get between you and your or—”
Titus leaned down and kissed her once more, cutting off her words. In the few seconds he’d held the Orb, everything had become clear, including what they needed to do next. “Theron’s an ass. Forget about him.”
She huffed. “No argument there, but—”
“I know how to get to your father.”
She froze. “You do?”
He nodded. Gods, he loved when she looked at him like that, like he was the only thing she needed. “Call it ancient intervention. I’ll explain it all later. We need to make tracks before Hades and Zagreus catch wind you were here.”
Fear washed over her features. A fear that heated her skin another degree and amped his urgency. He let go of her waist, grasped her hand, and looked toward Zander. “What will you tell the others?”
Zander shrugged. “I’ll think of something.”
He tightened his fingers around Natasa’s. “Theron will be pissed.”
Zander’s eyes sharpened. “Theron’s wrong on this one. A guardian’s soul mate”—he looked toward Callia—“isn’t something you mess with.”