Page 28 of Air of Seduction

A blinding light bursts from his chest and expands until his whole body seems to be filled with light. But when my gaze drops down his body, I realize that he’s not the only one shining like a star. I am too.

My sons.The deep voice fills my head.Find the third and be complete.

The light fades, and I pull in a shuddering breath as I lift my gaze to Gawen’s. Our eyes lock, and we both nod at the same time.

Without even asking, I know he heard the same voice I did. But why and how?

I’m finally able to pull my hand from his. But I have to swallow a couple of times before I can find my voice. “What just happened?”

He shakes his head, looking as stunned as I feel. “I don’t know. But I think you’re my…brother.”

Chapter 17

Lyn

I slowly stand from where I crouched behind Lucas and Erica when Markus and Gawen filled the room with light like the sun had just risen in the middle of the night and burst through the roof.

However, the light didn’t burn me like the sun would have done. My skin is still smooth and pale without any blisters or sores.

It’s deathly quiet, everyone staring at the two men standing in the middle of the room. They look nothing like brothers. One with hair so black it almost glints blue, and the other with hair almost as white as snow.

How can they possibly be brothers? It doesn’t make any sense. As far as I’ve understood, Gawen isn’t old, whereas Markus has wandered this earth for more than two millennia.

But perhaps even more intriguing: who is the parent or parents they supposedly have in common?

“I think we should gather in the living room.” Markus finally takes his gaze off Gawen and turns to Aidan. “Some refreshments would be nice. And perhaps something stronger.”

Aidan nods and heads toward the back of the house where the kitchen is located.

“This way, please.” Markus looks at Gawen before starting toward the living room.

People file into the room and find their seats on the couches and chairs surrounding the two tables we pushed together to make room for all of us.

“Lynette.” Markus is suddenly right in front of me, hindering my progress. “Will you please sit with me?”

My jaw slackens as I stare at him, and I stop myself in time before I ask him why. “Sure.” I’m too shocked to manage a smile. And it’s not so much because he wants me to sit next to him, but rather that he asked me instead of telling me and included the wordplease.

He puts his strong hand against the small of my back and leads me to a couple of unoccupied seats on a couch. When he pulls me down next to him, we end up sitting so close his thigh is flush against mine, and he has to drape his arm along the back of the couch for us to sit comfortably.

My whole body is jittery from how close we are and that this is all his doing. Was this really his intention, or is it merely a strange effect of the shock he just had?

Whatever the reason, I’m going to enjoy his closeness for as long as it lasts. Because it probably won’t be long before he comes to his senses and puts more distance between us.

“I know you probably have a lot of questions.” Markus’s voice is calm and strong, and the room goes quiet. “But so do we.” His gaze lands on Gawen, who’s sitting next to his mate across the table from us.

Gawen nods. “I thought I knew who my father is, but there seems to be more to my parentage than I was aware of.”

“I don’t know who my father is, nor my mother.” Markus’s thigh presses more firmly against mine, almost like he needs the reassurance that I’m there. “I don’t remember my childhood, except for a few glimpses I’m not sure whether are memoriesor dreams. But after four millennia, I suppose that’s to be expected.”

My head snapping around, I stare at him.Four millennia.He’s not just old; he’s ancient. But he doesn’t look it. His body doesn’t reveal his true age, although there are times his eyes do.

He turns his head and meets my wide stare. There seems to be a question in his eyes, but I can’t tell what it is. But then he gives me a sad smile and looks away.

I press my thigh against his to try to convey that I’m here for him. If only I could ask him what’s wrong. But I can’t among all these people. They might be friends and allies, but I don’t feel right about asking him what might be a personal question while he’s the center of attention.

“You’re older than I thought you were,” Aidan says. “But then you’ve always been secretive about your past.”

Markus chuckles, but there’s no humor in the sound. “Since I know nothing about my origins or my childhood, there hasn’t been much to say.”

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