A Discovery of Secrets and Fate (Chronicles of the Stone Veil #2) - Sawyer Bennett Page 0,29
letting him see I have vulnerabilities.
My head hangs as I let the tears just fall down onto my black workout pants.
Titus’ voice is tender, and it washes over me. “Just let it out, girl.”
And I do. I take a moment to let these pockets of grief that have been building up inside of me out, purging the heavy emotion with it.
Titus stands. His tennis shoes squeak as he walks across the wooden floor and out of the room. He’s back in less than a minute, holding a wad of toilet paper he must have pilfered from the bathroom, which he sticks under my hanging head so I can see it.
“Thanks,” I mutter in a watery voice and use the tissue to sop my eyes and blow my nose.
When I look back up, Titus is once again sitting across from me with his legs kicked out. The expression on his face is tender, and I’m grateful it’s him and not Carrick who I decided to have a crying jag in front of. I imagine Carrick would look put out and frustrated, but Titus confirms I’m safe with him even if it’s just to have a snotty moment.
“I’m sorry.” I give a little laugh. “It hits me at odd times.”
“You just lost your sister four days ago, Finley. I’d cut yourself some slack.”
I nod. He’s right, and I give myself the grace he suggests. “What’s worse than watching her change into a Dark Fae is not knowing if my sister is still inside or if she’s dead.”
“Carrick and Zaid have been researching and reaching out to contacts all over the world. They’re trying to find answers as to what happened to Fallon.”
I blink in surprise. I didn’t know Carrick was going to those lengths as he certainly hadn’t said that just yesterday when he came to the Fantasia. I had assumed he wouldn’t lift a finger to help me find out what happened to Fallon unless I agreed to join Team Prophecy.
Taking a deep breath, I let it out slowly. “I don’t know what to do, Titus. I don’t want to be a part of this. I want to go back to my normal and dull life. I don’t want to see fae and daemons anymore. I just want to be a coffee shop owner and maybe date a cute, normal guy.”
Titus’ gaze is sympathetic to my plight. “You’ve got a lot on you, and I can’t even imagine the burden. If it helps, I think your shoulders are strong enough to bear it.”
“But I don’t want to bear it,” I reiterate.
“We don’t always get what we want,” he points out.
I glare. “Well, it’s not fair. Why do I have to be a player in a game I don’t want to play?”
“Because most likely many people on this planet will die if you don’t,” he suggests.
“So I’ve been told,” I mutter, then growl in frustration. “I just feel so alone, and I’m scared.”
Titus shakes his head with an admonishing look, causing the long dreadlocks hanging over his shoulders to sway. “But you’re not alone. You have Carrick and Zaid. You definitely have me.”
“Carrick can’t stand me, and Zaid hates everyone,” I reply petulantly. “And yes, I have you, but you have a life, too. You’re just here to train me.”
“I’m your friend, Finley. You can count on me.”
My lips tip upward in a fragile smile. “Thank you. You can count on me too, but not sure how a wimpy woman like me could help a big, badass annihilator.”
Titus laughs, white teeth blazing. “I’d definitely have you at my back in a fight, Finley. You’re incredibly good.”
“Well,” I say as I start shoving all the stuff I had spilled out of my pack back in. “I’m sure my sore muscles tomorrow will disagree with you.”
“Same time tomorrow?” he queries as he pops to his feet and extends a hand to help me up. When I grab hold, he hoists me to my feet, backpack and all.
Just as I start to shrug it on, my phone starts ringing inside. My body locks tight as my blood turns cold.
Titus must sense something because he asks, “What is it?”
“That’s my sister’s ringtone,” I rasp. It rings again. “She’s calling me.”
Titus’ eyes flare. “Answer it.”
“No,” I exclaim in horror.
“See what she wants,” he urges.
“Uh-uh,” I reply, shaking my head in denial.
“Finley,” he drawls in frustration.
“Titus,” I mimic back.
The phone stops ringing, and Titus and I merely stare at each other for what must be a solid minute