Titus watched in more than a little awe as Theron’s face softened while he looked down at his mate with longing and love. He tried to block out the sappy thoughts rushing through both their minds but couldn’t, not entirely. He’d served with Theron for over a hundred years, and it still amazed him that a hard-ass, honor-bound Argonaut like Theron could change so much all because of a female. But then, that’s what a soul mate did to an Argonaut. They changed everything.
Not that he was looking for a soul mate. Considering his gift—and his curse—he didn’t want one. And he definitely didn’t need the responsibility or worry. Demetrius’s harried thoughts about Isadora simply being in the human realm pinged around the room as he stood next to the queen, as did Zander’s, regarding not only Callia but their son Max—neither of which were things Titus wanted to know, let alone stress over. He didn’t want to be responsible for anyone else, not if this was the result. But that didn’t lessen his interest in the redhead standing at his side.
The redhead radiating warmth, even inches away from him, who was suddenly breathing like a racehorse in heat.
He looked down at her. And noticed her face was turning quickly from pink to red. “What’s wrong with you?”
Air. Tight. Can’t… She waved her hand as if she were having trouble breathing.
Confusion morphed to concern, and Titus pushed away from the window, grasped her by the sleeve again. “Uh, Callia?”
Callia’s footsteps echoed across the floor. “Let go of her, Titus.”
“Who is she?” Zander asked as Callia took her from Titus and led her toward a chair.
“Have a seat here.” Callia eased her into a chair Phin had pulled out for her. Titus watched as she bent forward and put her head between her knees, weird, raspy breathing sounds coming from her lips.
Callia knelt at her feet. “Look at me. That’s it. Slow breaths. I want you to draw in a breath then let it out while I count, not stopping until I get to four. Ready? Breathe in. Good, now let it out…one, two, three, four… Good. Again.”
The redhead focused on Callia’s eyes. Tried to follow directions. Her hands shook against her knees, and concern for her well-being—a concern that came out of nowhere—shot through Titus as he watched.
“Should I get a paper bag?” Isadora asked, coming to stand on Callia’s right.
“No. This is better. Sure and steady,” Callia said to the redhead. “One, two, three, four. Again.” Then to the rest of the group, “She’s having a panic attack. We just have to rebalance her oxygen and carbon dioxide levels. Good, you’re doing great. Now slow. In through the nose, out through the mouth.”
Slowly, the female’s breathing regulated and the pink tinge to her cheeks began to fade. Relief swept through Titus.
Callia smiled. “Better. Much better. Keep breathing, just like that.”
“Is she okay?” Casey asked.
The Argonauts were as quiet as Titus, watching and wondering who the hell she could be. And all seemed to be in awe of Callia’s calm handling of a situation none of them knew how to manage. Put them in a field full of daemons, and they knew exactly what needed to be done. Give them a hysterical female, and each one froze in fear.
“Yes, she’s going to be fine,” Callia said. “She just needs some space. It’s no wonder she had a panic attack in a room full of you guys. I’ve felt like freaking out while surrounded by the Argonauts myself on more than one occasion. Good, keep breathing. You’re doing perfect.”
Argonauts? The redhead lifted her eyes, looked around the room with wariness. But no other thoughts got through to Titus.
“Who is she?” Phin asked.
“That’s the question of the day,” Titus answered, shoving his hands into the pockets of his jeans and staring at her.
Her gaze shot in his direction, and though he couldn’t be sure, he thought he saw a spark there. A flare of…was that interest?
His blood warmed even as his brain screamed, Not a good idea. You don’t even know who or what she really is.
Theron looked his way, and Titus read the What are you picking up from her? thought in the Argonaut leader’s mind.
He tore his gaze from hers and looked to his guardian kin. “She wouldn’t answer any of my questions, just said she was a friend of Maelea’s. And I’m not getting anything to confirm one way or another.”
“I thought Maelea didn’t have any friends,” Demetrius said near the door.
“Yeah, bingo,” Titus answered, looking back at her.
Her breaths picked up speed. She didn’t break his gaze.
Callia pushed out of the crouch she’d been in and rested a reassuring hand on the female’s back. “You boys aren’t helping the situation. Theron, I need to take her down to the clinic. I want someone to check her out.”
“Titus will take her,” Theron answered. “Nick’s healers are good. You can check on her in a little while, Callia, but we need you here for a few minutes.”
That didn’t seem to appease Callia, but she nodded.
“T?” Theron asked.
“Yo.”
“You up to staying with her until we’re done here? I want to ask her a few questions, but first we need to figure out where the hell Gryphon is.”