“We still have to deal with the issue of the fire element,” Casey said from Theron’s side. “Even if Zagreus can use Nick to harness Krónos’s powers and…crap….I don’t know, figure out how to somehow free the Titan, we still need that element. And having Prometheus on our side would be a huge boost.”
Theron crossed his arms over his chest and scowled at Zander. Isadora knew from talking to Callia that Zander had let Titus and Natasa go in search of her father. She leaned into Demetrius, totally understanding the reasoning, but every second that passed without word from them amped her worry another degree.
“What of her ‘unquenchable fire’?” she asked, looking up at the rest of them.
“Titus isn’t going to let that happen,” Zander said. When all eyes turned his way, he added, “Trust me. I saw the guy. He’s got it bad for her. No way he’s letting her out of his sight.”
Theron rubbed his forehead. “According to Phin, he had it bad for her before any of this even happened.”
“You say that like it’s a bad thing.” Casey’s lips curled in a smile. “I remember a time when you ‘had it bad.’”
Theron’s arm wrapped around Casey and he pulled her close to his side. “I still have it bad, meli. Especially when you pull stunts like that last one. But that doesn’t change the fact the object of his obsession is more of a loose cannon than Zagreus ever was.”
Footsteps echoed from the hallway. Isadora looked past Theron and the others who were turning to see what the ruckus was about. Surprise registered when Titus appeared in the doorway. Unlike the last time Isadora had seen him, there was a wild look in his hazel eyes. His clothes were wrinkled and covered in dirt, his hair free of the usual leather strap, hanging in messy waves around his face. And there was enough stubble on his jaw to tell her he hadn’t thought of shaving in days.
Theron dropped his arm from Casey’s waist. “Titus—”
“You.” Titus looked past the leader of the Argonauts and zeroed in on Demetrius. “I need you right now.”
“What’s happened?” Demetrius let go of Isadora and the baby and pushed to his feet.
Titus took one step into the room. “I have to get to Prometheus before it’s too late. He’s the only one who can stop it. I know where he is…I just don’t know how to get there.”
“Stop what?” Theron asked.
“Where?” Demetrius said.
“Pandora.” Titus didn’t even look Theron’s way. “He’s being held in a cave high in the mountains.”
Pandora. Isadora’s pulse picked up speed. She looked up at her mate, who was suddenly looking down at her. Prometheus was on the island where she and Demetrius had been trapped together by Atalanta. Where Zeus had dumped all the worst of the monsters and beasts from the ancient days. They’d been within walking distance of the Titan and hadn’t even known it. “Oh my gods,” she muttered.
She didn’t have to ask what Titus was trying to stop. Everyone knew.
“How long?” Demetrius looked back at Titus.
Titus scrubbed a hand through his messy hair. Panic filled his eyes. “I don’t know. Eighteen hours, maybe less.”
“Holy skata,” Theron muttered. “And you’re just now telling us?” He looked to Zander with a see what kind of mess you caused look. “We have to make sure she’s contained before—”
Fury flashed in Titus’s eyes, and he hurled himself toward Theron, slamming the leader of the Argonauts back against the wall beside Isadora with a crack. “You’re not touching her!”
Isadora gasped and pulled the baby close to her body in a protective move. Casey and Callia scrambled toward the bed to protect her.
“Son of a bitch.” Demetrius lurched around the bed. Zander’s boots scuffed the floor. Theron’s head hit the wall with a crack, but the leader of the Argonauts had the strength of Heracles on his side. Isadora knew he wasn’t really hurt, just surprised….as were they all.
“Dammit, Titus.” Zander grasped him by one arm. Demetrius got hold of the other. Together they yanked Titus back from the death grip he had on Theron’s throat.
“What the fuck has gotten into you?” Theron roared.
Titus’s face looked pained, but he jerked against the hold Zander and Demetrius had him in. “You’re not putting her in a cage. She’s not a freakin’ animal!”
“Holy Hades.” Exasperated, Theron ran a hand down his face as if to calm himself, then pinned Titus with a hard look. “You’re losing it, man. Pull your shit together and remember what’s at stake here. Do you have any idea what she really is?”
“She’s a person. Not an object and not a pawn that you”—he yanked his arms out of the guardians’ grips—“can manipulate in your vendetta against the gods.”
Theron’s eyes darkened. Isadora tensed, realizing how close to losing it the leader of the Argonauts was. He stalked forward, getting right in Titus’s space. “I don’t give a rip about the gods right now. I’m focused solely on what we—as guardians—took an oath to defend. Start thinking with your brain, Titus, instead of your dick. She’s the end of the fucking human world.”
“Since when do you care what happens to the human realm?” Contempt filled Titus’s eyes. “You never did before Casey came into your life. You forget shit so fast. Once you realized she was your soul mate, you were willing to sacrifice everything for her—everyone in this room and all of Argolea. I’m not asking you to do that. I’m not even asking for your friggin’ help. All I need is for Demetrius to tell me where the island is located before Natasa dies.”
“Lena said her temperature might continue to rise,” Callia said warily. “Is she overheating?”
“No,” Titus answered, staring at Theron, distrust and anger swirling in his eyes. “She ate hemlock. Poisoned herself in the middle of the night so it would kill her before the element could ignite inside her. And she did it to save the human realm, not destroy it like you all think she’s hot to do.”
Theron’s eyes widened.
“Shit,” someone muttered. “Fuck me,” someone else whispered. In the shock reverberating through the room, Isadora’s gaze found Demetrius’s. She nodded.
Demetrius looked at Titus. “I’ll take you to Pandora.”
Relief rushed over Titus’s features. He moved quickly toward the hall. “We don’t have a lot of time.”
“Titus—” Theron called.
Titus stalked through the door without responding, disappearing around the corner without another word.
Looking as shocked as Isadora felt, Theron turned toward Demetrius. “We’ll need charmed weapons if we have any hope of getting past those beasts on Pandora.”
“Pretty sure what we’ll need we can find in the Hall of heroes,” Demetrius answered.
Theron was going with Demetrius and Titus. Though fear shot through Isadora’s belly at the thought of Demetrius back on that nightmare of an island, a little of her anxiety eased. She knew Theron had only been performing his duty, protecting the human world as best he could, but Titus had a point. Theron had been willing to give up everything for Casey. And Titus had every right to be pissed at all of them for not giving Natasa the same benefit of the doubt, no matter who she was.
“Should we gather the rest of the guardians?” Zander asked.
“No,” Theron answered. “We don’t want to do anything to attract unwanted attention from the gods. Cerek and Phin can keep cleaning up. I’ll alert Orpheus and Skyla to watch over the Horae until the queen is clear to travel back to Argolea.” He turned toward Casey. “Can you contact Gryphon and tell him to keep everything under wraps? The last thing we need is the Council figuring out shit’s going down.”
Casey nodded, stepped forward, and wrapped her arms around Theron’s waist. “I will. Don’t worry, everything here will be fine. Just help Titus find Prometheus before it’s too late for Natasa.”