IX. Back Home

I arrived at Hayden’s office and set up my laptop at a table. Hayden was sitting behind his desk waiting for Dorian to send him over the files. His demeanor seemed cold towards me and I couldn't help but wonder if perhaps he knew where I was and that I had spoken to Max. I wanted to ask him about my mother's necklace, but I didn't have any way of bringing it up without telling him about Max. Even though I didn't know if I could trust my brother, I felt betrayed by Hayden and the fact that he knew my mother and hadn't said a word about knowing who I was. He made it seem like he hired me because I was a good worker, but I knew that it was because he knew my mother. I wondered if he had been the one to save me from the Titans when I was young. I couldn't remember the man that saved me and gave me to Dorian. I knew I needed to see Max again because he knew a lot more than I did. Maybe I could find out who was the man that saved me all those years ago. Lost in my thoughts I finally received an email with 30 files of recent sightings of Titans on Olympus, Earth, and the Underworld. I placed a large notepad in front of me with a pen and began to write down as much information as I could find on the Titans. Several of the files had described somebody who resembled Max and I grew worried about what would happen if they knew that he was my brother. I would probably lose my job. I continued to look through the files for several hours and I only noticed the time when my laptop began to flash that it was out of battery. We had stayed up until 1 AM and hadn't even noticed. My stomach was rumbling, and I looked over to Hayden who was leaning against his chair with his head back, asleep. Although I felt angry at Hayden, I couldn't help but stare at his beautiful face. I had never really had time to examine his handsome face, perfect hair, and smooth skin. I had found Hayden attractive from the beginning but had never considered him as a potential interest. Admitting to myself that I was potentially interested in Hayden only made my heart fluster more as I watched him. I got up from my seat and left the office going down to the canteen and getting us both a coffee. I walked back and he was still asleep in his chair. It made me smile to see him so relaxed and comfortable. I placed a cup of coffee by my laptop and carried his to his table. I watched his chest slowly rise and fall admiring his face. I felt the urge to touch him, but I knew that I would wake him. I sat down on the corner of his table and just watched as his chest rose and fell for another couple of minutes before softly touching his cheek. Suddenly his eyes opened, and he grabbed my wrist pulling me closer to him. I couldn't think of any excuse that I could give him for having the audacity to touch him.

“I got you some coffee,” I said in a fluster as he loosened the grip on my wrist. My heart was beating out of my chest. I definitely crossed the line this time. I stood up from the table and quickly took a step back as he sat up straight in his chair.

“Thank you, Miss Lockwood. I hadn't noticed the time. You should go get some sleep.” He replied, not showing any reaction to me touching his face.

“I’m okay to continue Sir. This is an important case and I want to get as much information as I can so we can prevent the attack.” I replied with a smile and returned to my seat.

“Miss Lockwood, you continue to defy me. I need you to rest so you can do your job properly.” He replied harshly. I felt a small twinge in my heart. Perhaps he was angry that I touched him.

“Yes Sir. Goodnight.” I went back to my room and collapsed on my bed. It took me but a couple of seconds to fall asleep. For the remainder of the week, we spent our time looking through the files trying to get as much information as we could and identify at least one of the Titans. I couldn't find any spare time to go back down and see Max without Hayden noticing. I hadn't decided if to tell Dorian about Max or not. I wanted to protect him but that meant risking my whole career. Working with Hayden had been a dream come true and I didn't want to give that away. I knew I had to find Star and get proof that Max was only trying to warn the Gods.

I concentrated on finding at least one of the names of the Titans. I concentrated on women so I could find Star and speak to her. Nobody needed to know my ulterior motives, for all they knew I was just doing my job. After several days I did it. I couldn’t believe that I was staring at a whole profile of a Titan with a picture. Hayden had been more irrorated than ever before, so I was ecstatic to tell him that I got one. He had asked Penelope and Phoenix to help in their free time, but Phoenix was busy with his own work and had sent Gus to help. As I walked into Hayden’s office, they were both there, having stayed the entire night to find as much as they could. I felt guilty every night, going to my room and sleeping when they stayed behind and hadn’t slept a wink. I didn’t care much for Gus, but poor Penelope. I rushed in and quickly walked over to Hayden’s table where he was buried in his own research.

“Yes, Miss Lockwood?” He hadn’t even lifted his head to acknowledge my entrance. I placed the file in front of him and continued to stand in front of him, with a small smile on my face. I was proud of myself. For once I had managed to outwork the King himself. He opened the file and looked up at me with his mouth parted. “You got one?!” He asked standing up from his seat and walking around the table. “This is great, thank you, Miss Lockwood.” He grabbed my hand and kissed the top of my palm, before presenting the file in front of Penelope and Gus. My heart was still jumping, when I leaned in beside him and pointed to an address on Earth.

“I could go,” I said smiling. Whether they liked it or not, I was going to convince them to let me go so I could speak to her and find out how to help Max.

“We already discussed that.” Hayden stood up straight.

“No, we haven’t. If I go, she will speak to me. If you go, she will run from you.” I replied, determined to go. Hayden stood still for a second before looking down at Penelope. If he makes me take Penelope with me, I won’t be able to ask Star anything that might help Max.

“Fine, but I’m coming with you.” He replied and my eyes flashed open.

“What?” I asked, believing I had heard wrong.

“I’m not letting you go see a Titan all by yourself. I’m going to come with you.” He clarified.

“I don’t think that is necessary Sir…”

“I’m coming. I will meet you at the dungeons in 10 minutes.” He replied, leaving the office and going back to his room. Damn it. There was nothing I could do to change his mind. As I walked back to my room, I tried to think of a way to speak to her alone. Coming up empty, I descended to the dungeons, waiting for Hayden. Surely, he has better things to do than babysit me on Earth.