Page 25 of Titan

My Pull thunders inside me, and my claws curl into the table, gouging deep marks into the wood. We always had a stronger hold on the Keystone—it was firmly on the mortal plane—but the Relic Room constantly moves from realm to realm, keeping itself safe. It’s been years since it was on Earth.

“Not quite,” Drusila jumps in, only slightly dampening the intensity of the Pull. She unfurls a map of the county, a large red circle marking the center of it. “We don’t know exactly where. But a new witch has joined our coven, Violet. She is powerful. Still getting the hang of things, but with her help, we’ve been able to trace the Relic Room’s path to the Santa Monica Mountains.”

“That terrain is massive. We’ll be searching for years.” Rook leans forward in his chair, wings held rigid and tight to his body.

“We need the shifters’ help,” Dredd interjects, his voice holding more lightness in it than I’ve heard in centuries. “They know the mountains.”

“They refuse to believe that anything survived the fall,” I remind him. I don’t like smothering the first bit of joy I’ve seen in Dredd, but I need to keep my brothers realistic in our goals.

“They’llbelievewhen we have the Keystone.” Dredd slaps his spiked tail against the table, marking it in his impatient fervor.

The room shifts at his intensity, and suddenly I can feel all five of our Pulls beating as one. It is relentless and consumes all the air. From the corner of my eye, I notice Drusila steeling herself against the wave of magic moving through the room.

“Uh…” Drusila starts cautiously. The interruption doesn’t break the Pull, but it does tamp it down enough that we can focus on her words. “We’ve been tracking the Relic Room—where it has appeared and when. We haven’t been able to lay eyes on it, but there have been some close calls. Based on the amount of magic residue left behind at each location, the coven has been able to determine that the room only presents itself with the full moon. It will appear again. Whether it is a month from now or six, we are still determining—”

“We have to be ready,” Dredd cuts in, and there is no mistaking that his message is for me.

“We will be there,” I say firmly, my Pull scraping against my chest once again.

At times the Pull has been enough to cause madness. Yet all twenty original gargoyles, even Maximus, who led the rebellion against us, held firm and together until the fortress fell. But my brothers and I are the last gargoyles left among the Strange, and we are struggling against the Pull’s demand. What has always been a crucial mission just ratcheted up in importance.

“Then the plan stays the same,” I continue. “We will search for where the Keystone is being held at the wrap party, and I’ll secure an invite to Freddy’s unveiling of the ceremonial vessel the next week while the rest of you scope out the security setup and layout. Once I’m sure where it is in the building, we will regroup and determine the best way to retrieve the Keystone. Any questions?”

“No,” Rook answers, quick and efficient as always.

“As long as I’m not the one stuck in the human suit all night, it works for me.” Knox inclines his head in agreement, tossing and catching his sapphire glamour ring.

“We have no reason to believe that any human knows the Keystone’s true power, and there has been no sign of any Strange in the area of Freddy’s loft.” Stiel methodically lays out the plan. “The party should be easy enough. Actually retrieving the piece at the unveiling event is going to be harder.”

“The coven may be able to help with that,” Drusila adds.

“That’s much appreciated, Dru. We will accept your assistance, if required.”

“We have our own reasons for wanting access to the Relic Room. You know that, Titan,” Drusila says solemnly. “I’m not doing you a favor. The Keystone will unlock knowledge lost for centuries. That knowledge is valuable to the coven.”

I nod and turn to Dredd, who is waiting impatiently. I may command the brotherhood, but with so few of us left, we all have a say. He responds with an irritated grunt.

“Do you doubt my commitment to our cause, Dredd?”

For all our lives, we have fought by each other’s sides, knowing that even in the heat of battle, we can trust one another. I don’t blame him for questioning me. I know the guilt Dredd feels for his part in the fortress falling. So he can question me, as long as he knows I will take my brothers to the end of this mission.

“No,” Dredd says quickly and securely. “But I don’t like a non-Strange being in our business.”

“You don’t have a problem with Eden?” Rook volunteers.

“Eden is one of us, human or not. She has proven herself.” Then Dredd looks at me. “Your Jules may have good intentions to help…”

I force myself to control my breath at her name coming from Dredd’s mouth.

“The guest?” Drusila whispers and Knox confirms.

“She doesn’t know the world she is getting into,” Dredd continues.

“Julianna is under my care, and she will only be as involved as is safe.” I arch a heavy warning brow in his direction. “I’m sure she’ll appreciate how much you care about her safety.”

Dredd hisses, then, at my bared teeth, seems to quickly collect himself. “I don’t wish her harm, but this is a once in a century chance we’ve been given, and you’re going on dates.”

“Enough, Dredd,” I roar.

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