Protector of the Flame Read Free Page B

to shower and change. Then I’ll be ready to go.” She kissed his temple, pulled herself away from him and went inside.
    In the hallway on the second floor headed to her room, she ran into Talus.
    “I was coming to see if you needed help with anything before you and Cyrus leave.”
    The affection radiating from Talus still boggled Serenity’s mind. Their journey to friendship had been bumpy at best. Losing Talus’s brother, Cassian, had changed everything. It warmed Serenity to finally look upon Cyrus’s remaining ward as a sister. “I’m all packed. I just need to change.”
    “What are you going to wear?”
    Serenity shrugged. “I guess jeans and a shirt.”
    “Cyrus always travels in a suit.”
    “Oh,” she said, entering her room. Being the chosen one marked to give birth to the redeemer was hardly reason to give up comfy denim and rubber soles, but as the kabashem and wife of Cyrus, a formidable leader destined to rule one of the Great Houses, perhaps it was time to step up the wardrobe a notch.
    “I’ll bring your bags down for you.” Talus followed her inside.
    Serenity slowed her pace, troubled by a lingering question. “How do you feel about leaving Cassian here?”
    Short auburn hair hid pale green eyes as Talus lowered her head. “He would’ve preferred to be buried here, not at Herut.”
    “We’ll come back eventually.”
    “Once Cyrus accepts his call to serve Herut we’ll be tied down there. The Council members only leave for short periods of time.”
    The thought of never knowing when she could return to New York almost made the loss of everything too much to bear. Serenity sucked back tears. A life with Cyrus was worth any price, and for now she had the next seven days to look forward to.
    She opened her walk-in closet and scanned the meager things left hanging. Her gaze focused on an emerald cashmere sweater dress with short sleeves. It had a matching sweater coat that fell to the calves. Lightweight and soft, it was perfect for travel. She tossed the outfit onto the bed, eager to begin her week-long honeymoon, indulging in exotic food, once-in-a-lifetime sightseeing, and hours of sweaty sex, using her husband’s rugged body.
    The bedroom door burst open. Cyrus rushed in, eyes wide almost crazed, raven hair tousled. “Take off the necklace from the immortal witch.” His voice had a hard, frightening edge.
    “Why?” She reached for her neck. When she thought she had the chain, it slipped between her fingers.
    A horrified gasp clipped the quiet tension of the room as Talus jumped backward, tripping on the sofa. Serenity’s heart stuttered. The necklace slid through her fingers again.
    A grim expression wrenched Cyrus’s face. Jagged bolts of terror ripped through their merged energy stream.
    “What’s wrong?” She swallowed the acrid taste of panic filling her mouth.
    Cyrus clasped her shoulders. “We tried to remove the glodems.” He spoke steadily, drawing out the words when she simply needed him to spit it out. “None of us can lift or break them. They won’t budge.”
    “What does that have to do with me or the necklace?” She grasped for the chain once more, her fingers desperately searching for it.
    “Serenity,” he said in a tone so controlled strain leaked through, “when you touch the necklace…it crawls into your skin and becomes part of your flesh.”
    One glance at the petrified look on Talus’s face confirmed the impossible words to be true.
    Her blood curdled. She broke free from Cyrus and raced to the bathroom. Her pulse hammered in her head. Her thoughts spun into a terrifying tangle.
    In the mirror, she could see the gold chain and the amulet, Aset’s colorful wings cradling a stone wrapped in golden thread. The gift from the immortal rested against her breastbone, warm on her skin as any other piece of jewelry would.
    Slowly, she reached for the chain. A harsh shiver took hold as her fingers drew closer, eyes locked on the charm.
    An inch from the