Calming a Gorgon (Cryptid Enforcement Bureau #2)

Prologue - And So, It Begins

Lunch in hand, a smirk spread across Cyrus Grimm’s face when he opened the two way glass door of Killian Neftlem’s office and found the Siren sitting behind his desk with his head hidden by his floating monitors, typing away.

He’d made it a few steps inside by the time the man finally stopped working and waved the screens out of the way with his hands. Killian smiled upon spotting him.

However, Cyrus’ own smile stiffened, even as he kept walking.

His heart picked up pace as he neared, and the unbeckoned threads of fate formed in his vision around Killian.

His eyes were automatically drawn to the thicker line leading directly into the Siren’s heart.

What only days ago had been a brilliant aqua-green color, with not a dim spot in sight, was now blackened right where it disappeared into Killian’s chest, the darkness spreading even now.

Cyrus’ heart clenched tight in his chest, his smile wavering further as he once again looked into Killian’s face.

But he was only able to stare into the man’s unearthly beauty for a moment before a bleak, unspeakable future took its place.

No longer did he see the Siren’s heart-shaped face, slightly upturned nose, and large, startling, glowing blue eyes, but a skull with Killian’s long ombré teal and purple hair, and a single bullet hole right between the sockets.

With a clear vision of death before him, Cyrus stopped the ever-falling sands of time, an action that was as easy as breathing.

In an instant, the color of the world bled away, becoming a pale version of reality, and without a shred of doubt or hesitation, he reached for that blackened thread and plucked the darkness off, cleaning it until it was once again shining and bright, forever changing the fate that had been waiting for Killian.

Cyrus restarted time, and the lines disappeared as Killian began to move again. The Siren frowned slightly, likely at his off expression, or no doubt having seen his eyes change briefly to green.

“Something wrong?”

Cyrus smiled genuinely. “No, nothing.” He chuckled and held the bags up. “Food?”

“Oh, thank fuck! I’m starving!” The Siren hummed happily and started pulling out containers once the bags were set on his desk.

As he eyed the man he loved with all his being, Cyrus couldn’t help but hope that he hadn’t just lied… Nothing was wrong, not anymore. For how long though…he didn’t know…