Page 38 of Titan

“Yes,” Julianna jumps in. “What is it that you collect? Relics from the Renaissance?”

“Medieval,” I gently correct before turning back to Freddy. “Particularly masonry. I have a few pieces from a thirteenth-century cathedral that I’m especially proud of.”

“I just received a piece of masonry. It’s a rather peculiar piece of stonework, though not my most exciting piece…”

The Pull digs into me, slowing my breathing and narrowing my vision, blocking out the room, the crowd, and Julianna, so everything is gray and fuzzy except for Freddy.

“Fourteenth century, I believe. From Germany.”

“How interesting! I’d love to see it,” Julianna says. Her voice is distant and tinny in comparison to the loud hum of Freddy’s as he inadvertently talks about the Keystone. “Will you have it out at your next unveiling?”

“Oh, no, no, no,” he says firmly, wagging his finger at her. “I’m keeping it in my private collection. Anyways, the Turkish ceremonial vessel is far too spectacular to share the spotlight at next week’s event.”

It won’t even be on display at his next event. I feel a growl working its way up my chest. My lips curl back from my teeth, and the desire to rip my emerald ring from my finger grows by the second. I attempt to calm the beast that begs to be let out, but the Pull calls me to it even now. It’s here. As I listen in on Julianna’s conversation with Freddy, the Keystone is likely locked away in a vault like everything else. That must’ve been what I felt at the hors d’oeuvre table.

My skin itches and begs me to slip off my ring. Even if I didn’t care about hiding my Strange nature from humans, I won’t be able to claw through multiple layers of thick steel or iron without drawing security’s attention. Better to lay eyes on the safe tonight and report back to the brotherhood. The witches will spell a subtle way to get me into the safe.

“… but I’ll have plenty of other items you will be interested in. A tenth-century tapestry from—”

“I’ll see if I can be there,” I interrupt him swiftly, the Pull not giving me any room for tact.

If Freddy is bothered I’ve invited myself, he says nothing.

“The lovely Blaire Star—I mean, Jules—will be accompanying you, of course.”

It’s a demand, not a question. Julianna for another week, in my bed, in my arms, distracting me, tearing me from my purpose. My Pull crashes into me, demanding I answer, but I’m unclear on which is the right one.

“I don’t—” she starts, but the Pull forces me to interrupt.

“Yes. Of course.” I place my hand on Julianna’s back. The soft touch of her skin on my palm clears some of the haze of the Pull away, allowing me to view her more clearly in spite of it.

It doesn’t matter what Dredd will say or how Julianna might tempt me. If this is what I have to do to get the Keystone, I’ll do it. The lightness that fills and warms my chest at the thought of seven more days with her is merely relief over knowing I’ll be close to the Keystone again.

“Good. I’ll have my people call yours and add you to the list.” He hands a card to Julianna, then, pulling it back for just a second, he catches my gaze. “You will have to promise to let me see your collection some time. I’d like to know who you deal with.”

“Of course.” I nod firmly.

The Pull that had held me so tightly in its grip begins to loosen. I feel something tug on my arm. It takes several yanks till I’m jerked back into full reality and out of my hyper-focused trance.

“He’s getting bored. We need to leave before we wear out our welcome,” she whispers in my ear, her body turned, flush to mine.

Freddy’s back is now to us. He is distracted, looking around at the other guests. Julianna makes an excuse for us to leave, but he has already locked eyes with a brunette across the room. She drags me to the far corner, opposite the stairs to the second floor. My stone flesh begs to rip free of my glamour to find the Keystone.

“I need to get upstairs,” I state the moment we are alone.

Julianna follows my gaze over to the floating stairs on the opposite side of the room and the man in a black suit with an earpiece standing at its base.

“What about the guard?” she asks.

“I’m figuring that out.” My natural desire to roar and terrify the man into running away won’t work.

“I’ll do it.” She looks up at me. Her brown eyes are wide with an eager determination that makes me smile and, for just a second, I feel like I can breathe.

“You’ve done enough tonight.” I tuck a strand of hair behind her ear, letting the pads of my fingers slide over the silken wave.

“I’ll distract him.” She shivers under my touch, then shrugs, a small grin firmly planted on her pretty face. “You need me for the unveiling event now. You just signed on for another week. You can just add distracting a guard to my tab. Besides, this is kinda fun.”

“I should’ve confirmed you wanted to go to the unveiling before I told Freddy you would come with me.”

---