Page 126 of Remnants: Disruption
“Well then I should be very dead. I’ve never taken on twenty-six people at once, but it hadn’t been the issue. The issue was Loki’s magical daggers.”
Cass’ eyes unfocus like she’s thinking about something.
“Your friends tried to find you, but I told them you were recovering. I did not wish to alarm them, though.”
I try to catch her eyes, but she’s still staring off.
“Thank you,” I whisper. Marla and Trish must have freaked when I didn’t show for breakfast. “Can I see them?”
Cass nods, looking less contemplative. “We have things to discuss, but yes.”
I turn my attention to the top file and snort.
“You really are trying to apologize, huh?” I ask, flipping open the cover toDAEMON Investigations.
“What you said before, in the bathroom,” Cass says, and I glance up to meet her eyes. “About havingotherpeople to spy on.”
I blink a few times, trying to recall. I’d been furious. Though I can’t find any of that fury in me anymore.
“I said a lot of things out of anger to you,” I say, shame dripping into my gut like a rot. “I was trying to hurt you with words because I knew you’d kill me if it came to a fight.”
“No,” she shakes her head, eyes widening. “No, I would never have let it get that far. You did hurt me, but I deserved it. I was acting out of line.”
“Then?” I prompt, closing the file to give her my full attention.
“There is no one else,” she says softly, fiddling with a ring on her hand in an uncharacteristic show of nerves. “I just wanted you to know.”
In these softer moments, I forget she’s a legendary figure. That she’s effectively a goddess.
“No other suitors?” I ask, giving her a teasing grin.
She levels an orange glare on me. And it sends a titter of nerves low in my abdomen.
“Some over the years,” she says, not meeting my eyes. “These days very few even speak to me as another mortal being.”
“How—” I suck at my teeth, wondering how to ask this question.
“How many years?” she prompts, a self-deprecating smile curling at her lips.
I nod, embarrassed that I would even ask. “I don’t know a lot about you, Cass.”
“That is something I hope to rectify, if you are willing. I know this is strange. You might feel trapped. It was never my intention. I never—”
She takes a shuddering breath and looks genuinely mortified by her rambling.
“I’ll admit I’m confused,” I say and meet her orange eyes. “But you were there for me in some of the worst moments in my life these last few weeks. More than anyone else was. Save for Marla and Trish. But it does feel sort of like I’m dating a goddess.”
She blinks at the word and I cringe.
“I mean,” I stammer, “I don’t—”
Cass’ face splits into another smile—which I’ll admit is pretty addictive given how her nose crinkles a little and a dimple forms at the corner of her right cheek.
“I am no goddess,” she says, glancing down at the simple, dark red robe that she’s known for. “But I understand. I hope to demystify myself in time.”
She seems to unfocus again, her eyes sort of drifting to something behind my head.
I reach for the file again but stop as she speaks again.
