It was six-thirty in the morning. Olivia Carter was up and dressed in a warm floral dress appropriate for spring. She was going to see Leo this morning, and nothing or no one was going to stop her. Not Titan's edgy and paranoia-filled warnings, not the guards and gatekeepers who were on extremely high alert because a third slip-up meant losing their jobs - if Titan was even that merciful. She took her phone and started at the texts again. Olivia: Titan suspects something Leo: He was always a smart cat, but don't worry we'll figure out how to beat him over and over. Remember the plan? Olivia: Sure, you'll be posing as a fortune teller and I'll be posing as your customer. Leo: You got it, so if they are going to follow you, then let them come. But don't let them take that action. Walk up to your guard, and let him know that you are going out for the day, and he needs to accompany you. I mean that's what he's getting paid for, right? Olivia: Yeah, damn right. Darius was stationed
She did as he said but turned to him with a big smile. "Why on earth are you smiling?" "Today was a good day," Titan narrowed his eyes. "Oh yeah?" "Yeah," "Tell me about it," "Well, I went to see a fortune teller who made an almost accurate prediction about me," "Almost?" "Well, he couldn't predict properly because he was some kind of crook," She had to get her stories straight. Outright lying to both Titan and Maya was the fastest way to get caught. "A crook? Why are you so happy you saw one?" "Because it was just fun okay?" She came to sit beside him. "You know, it was really nice getting to go around the whole neighborhood again." "Reminiscing about your old life?" Titan asked. "Well, not reminiscing exactly and no it's not like I miss it or anything. It was just nice to be out there," "You seem to be happier whenever you go on one of your famous solitary moments." "Yeah, because I am at heart, an old solitary soul," "Well, I guess I should let you be then, and not b
The cockcrows reached into her sleep. Dawn was just breaking, and the automated curtains opened up on both sides of the room, unveiling a gorgeous and picturesque sunrise. Olivia sat up with her knees drawn up, resting her head on them watching the breathtaking beauty of nature. The sunrise was a precious performance - a reminder that today was a performance for her as well. Somehow, someway, she had to make Titan decrease his suspicions of her. After the events of the last few days, extracting his teeth would be easier. Or maybe his werewolf fangs. Do I look like I was born yesterday? The statement rang over and over in her head. Titan Black was a lot of things but stupid was not one of them. He was admirably smart and analytical. A trait great for kingship perhaps but was too much of a risk for her. He went through situations and people with a fine tooth comb. If he caught Leo and subjected him to endless analysis, he would come back wanting or lacking in a way that would ju
Olivia walked as fast as she could without looking over her shoulder, once. The earlier she met up with Leo, the better for her, and the faster she could get home, and deceive Titan all over again. If he started to believe all was fine, he would let her be, and she and Leo could thrive. The morning darkness was still thick and she could hear the sounds of owls, buzzing insects, and fireflies in the thick greenery, trees, and foliage that surrounded her. Her mind turned to Titan again. She hoped he would understand her, but it was almost impossible. It was too dangerous to parade Leo in front of him. And as long as Leo remained a secret, he was still an enemy. And as an enemy, he was too close to a Titan-style kind of death. No, she had to protect him. She reached the boundaries and stopped. "Leo?" she called. The figure following her lurked a few meters away, standing close to a tree. Leo emerged from the shadows and they embraced tightly. "I missed you!" he said, kissing her ha
Titan looked up hopefully as Asher walked into the study. "Any luck?" Asher shook his head. "No man, see it's easier to fight four highly trained US Marines and win than get that phone from her iron-fisted grip." Titan knocked his table with his knuckles as he spoke, looking outside his windows from his swivel chair. "That phone is the key to everything," "I know man, but when it's not in her hands, it's in her line of sight. She doesn't let go of the damned thing. It's like an aggravating addiction." Asher paced the office for several minutes before he looked up at his friend, and made an observation that made him smile. "Well look at you, you're calmer this morning, yesterday, you were ready to go to war," "Oh, a war will come when I get my hands on Olivia and her lover, I just need to bide my time and plan strategically," Titan said. "You can't wage a war with them until you know her motivations Titan, for Olivia to do this, something huge must have happened to her," "Whose
It was past midnight when Asher made his way back to Titan's study. "What did you get?" Titan asked eagerly. Asher shook his head. "Not much to be honest, I went into town trying to dig up anything I could find online, but he's a digital ghost. I found a deactivated email though," Asher said, handing a printout to Titan. "Took a bit of digging but the sucker's name is Leonardo, and he's some kind of military deserter. There's nothing else on his early life, education, or career. Whoever he is, he's keeping himself off the radar." "That's because he has something to hide," Titan said reasonably. "Could be a criminal," "We can't jump to conclusions," "Ryan texted me that Olivia was dressed when he went over to her bedroom, which means they have plans to meet up tonight," "Well, there's no way that's happening as long as Ryan is with her right?" "Right," Titan confirmed with a curt nod, trying to conceal his anger. "The only thing is that Ryan is not a bloody robot, and he's goin
Olivia drew him in and kissed him harder, encircling her hands around his strong broad shoulders. She had missed him, and she could tell from the way he held her close that he'd missed her too. Her shortcomings, notwithstanding. Unexpectedly the doors opened, and Asher and Ryan walked in. "Hey Titan…" They broke off at the sight of the kiss, exchanging amusing glances with each other. Olivia and Titan broke off, with Olivia turning around to look at them. "I guess you guys don't knock anymore," "Yeah good morning to you too Olivia," Asher said in a tone immersed in mockery. "Seems like you vanished last night though," Ryan said knowingly. His tone told Olivia he was inferring something else. Could Titan have told him what was going on? Was Asher in on it too? They usually looked happy to see her, but this morning they looked…suspicious? "I'll see myself out," she said to no one in particular. Three pairs of eyes watched her walk out and shut the door. "It's funny how you mention
Olivia hurried back into the bathroom and out with the first aid box. "Seriously?" Ryan asked. "Yeah seriously," Olivia insisted. "I mean since you both stood there and watched him bleed," "He's a werewolf, Olivia, he's going to heal," Asher said. Olivia opened the box and spoke without turning around. "And if he's so all-powerful, why do y'all need a first aid box?" "Uh for the remaining non-paranormal creatures that live in this house?" Asher said without disguising the disbelief in his voice that inevitably appeared because he could not believe he had to say the obvious out loud. "I think we all better give you both some space," Maya said gently shoving Asher and Ryan out, Olivia gave her a grateful smile. Titan was still staring into space. He looked at nothing, felt nothing, and said nothing. He heard voices, saw faces, but was not present. His mind was cut off, lodged somewhere between fighting off reality and struggling to hold onto the familiar with all his might.