Air of Seduction (Elemental Enforcers #3)

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 word please .

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 memories or 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.”

Lucas leans forward and puts his forearms on his knees. “So, how do you two know you’re brothers and don’t just share a common ancestor?” He looks at Markus before swinging his gaze to Gawen.

Markus and Gawen stare at each other until Gawen nods.

Markus turns to Lucas. “The voice in our heads told us so. It said, and I quote, ‘my sons, find the third and be complete.’”

Gawen nods again. “Yes. And it was a male voice.”

“What does the third mean?” I study Markus’s face. Four thousand years old. It’s difficult to even comprehend. All the historical events he must have witnessed, at least if he was in the right place at the right time.

Markus shakes his head before his gaze meets mine, probably feeling my scrutiny. “I can’t be sure, but I think we might have another brother somewhere.”

“My thoughts as well.” Gawen pulls his mate closer. “I wonder what he meant by complete, though. It could be both good and bad. Who knows?”

A shiver of fear and foreboding races down my spine. Whatever it means, I have a feeling we won’t have to wait long until we get to find out.

***

Ronan

My eyes are on my hands, which are folded in my lap, making me look deceptively relaxed when I’m anything but.

What just happened to Markus and Gawen is incredible and life-changing, but even so, I struggle to concentrate on the current conversation.

My mind seems to have room for only one thought. Is Payton all right?

I keep my hands folded to avoid fidgeting or constantly checking my phone to see if she has sent me a text. I know she hasn’t, since my phone hasn’t vibrated in my pocket.

Lifting my gaze, I study the couples in the room. Five true-mated couples, the most I’ve ever been in the company of at the same time. I can see the deep bond they share. It’s evident in every look and movement.

Before I realize what I’m doing, I have my phone in my hand, staring at Payton’s number. No texts, no calls. But then I haven’t texted or called her either.

My body feels like one big solid lump of tension, and it’s been like that since I watched her get into the car with Olivia and drive away.

Is Payton my true mate? The more I ponder that question, the more I become convinced she is. And if she is, I won’t be able to stay away from her, because true mates are destined to be together, and once they meet, there’s no turning away. Fate will always win.

“I’m sorry. You’ll have to excuse me.” I’m up and moving toward the door before I can stop myself.

I need to know Payton is safe one way or another. I can’t sit still for another second until I know.

My feet take me to the stairs, and I ascend them three steps at a time.

“Ronan.” Noah’s voice sounds behind me just as I reach the second floor. “Have you heard from Payton? How is Olivia?”

Turning to him, I shake my head. “I haven’t heard from her, so I don’t know.”

His lips press into a hard line, and he scrubs a hand down his face. Then his eyes bore into mine with an intensity that’s almost scary. “I have to see her. I have to know if she’s all right. She’s been through hell. I should be there for her. Take care of her.”

I shake my head again. “She needs peace and quiet and rest. Perhaps when she’s had those things for a while, she’ll agree to see you. If you approach her now, you’ll only make this worse for yourself. For both of you.”

His eyes narrow, and his hands curl into fists. “So, I’m just supposed to wait… Is that what you’re telling me? I can’t fucking do that. She’s mine.” The last word comes out barely discernible from a growl.

Crossing my arms over my chest, I narrow my eyes right back at him. “And this behavior is exactly why you should stay away from her. How do you think she’ll react when you growl that she’s yours? Do you think she’ll be more or less frightened of you than she already is?”

Noah stumbles back a step like I’ve just pushed him. “But she… I…” His shoulders slump, and his head tips forward.

“I’ll talk to Payton and ask her how Olivia is doing and if there’s anything we can do to help.” I walk up to him and put a hand on his shoulder. “I’ll let you know whenever I get an answer, but it’s past midnight, so it might not be until the morning.”

He nods but doesn’t look at me. “Okay.” Without another word, he turns and heads toward his suite, which is in the opposite direction from mine.

Letting out a sigh, I turn and walk down the corridor. After closing the door to my suite behind me, I pull my phone from my pocket and find Payton’s number.

What is she doing right now? Is she asleep, or is she talking to her friend? But they aren’t the questions that have me pacing, unable to relax.

Is she still angry with me? Will she answer me if I call, or will she ignore me?

Fuck. I stop in the middle of the room. I might never know the answer to those questions if I don’t make the first move. She has no reason to contact me, since she has achieved exactly what she set out to do. To get her friend back.

But calling her at this time of night might wake her and piss her off. So, texting it is.

After opening a new text, I pause while staring at the screen with my thumbs hovering over the keyboard. My shoulders are tense. So much is riding on these words, and the pressure is making it hard to breathe.

What if I say the wrong thing, and she’ll never want to talk to me again? Then I’ll probably end up like Noah, borderline insane and desperate.

I start typing.

I’m sorry. I’m not really sorry. What am I supposed to be sorry for? All I tried to do was to calm things down. I delete the text.

How are you? Delete. She’s not a business associate.

Are you all right? I can practically hear her answer. Yeah, sure. My friend is just traumatized from being a vampire’s slave for a week. Delete.

I stare at the screen for two solid minutes, completely at a loss. Perhaps I should call her after all. It might be easier to know what to say if I hear her voice and get some kind of indication of how she feels about me.

Putting my phone away, I walk over to the window. It shouldn’t be this difficult. All I want to do is make sure she’s all right.

I yank my phone out of my pocket, type I’m sorry , and press send. It’s not so much about what I want to say, as it is about what she might need to hear.