Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,30

our group,” I say.

Jarrod snorts. “That’s an understatement.”

Barrett stares ahead for a few moments. “My father is Hephaestus.”

“Well, it’s confirmed then,” Jarrod says, clapping his hand on his thigh. “I didn’t doubt it for a second. You guys look exactly the same. You sound the same.”

“Holy fuck!” Barrett drops his head into his hands. He holds it there for a few seconds before coming up for air. “I have a half-brother?”

“You do,” I say. “We’ll arrange a meeting later today…tomorrow at the latest.”

“Who else?” West growls. “You made it sound like there was more than one of us with a sibling.” There it is again. He’s hopeful. I can see it in his eyes, and from the way he is eagerly leaning forward. West is almost holding his breath.

“It would help to know who you’re related to. Who your father is,” I say to West.

I see Raven wince.

“It’s not something I like to talk about,” West snaps, eyes narrowing.

“Some more basic information would help in determining—”

“You managed just fine with Barrett,” he says, folding his arms.

“I have a distinctive look,” Barrett says, running a hand through his red hair.

“I can’t tell just by looking at you,” I tell West.

“Me neither.” Jarrod shakes his head. “None of your features jump out. Give us something to go on.”

West’s face turns a bright red. For a moment, I feel like he’s going to lose it. Then his shoulders slump just a little. “I have nothing for you.”

“But you are a demigod?” I ask.

West nods. “Don’t ask me who my father is. I don’t have a fucking clue.” His voice is deep. His dark blue eyes have turned stormy, like he’s daring us to question him. His jaw tightens.

“What power do you have?” Jarrod tries to steer the conversation to safer ground.

How can he not know who his father is? Does he know his mother? I keep my questions to myself.

West snorts. In this moment, he seems more hurt than angry. “I don’t seem to have any powers. I’m like every other dragon shifter. Maybe stronger but that’s it.” He shrugs.

“You must have,” I say.

“I don’t!” he growls, sounding like a bear with a sore head. “Forget it, I’m going to wash those dishes now,” he says, storming off.

“I’m sorry.” Raven shakes her head. “Ignore him. It’s a touchy subject. Not my place to talk about but—”

I put up a hand. “It’s fine.”

“Understandable,” Jarrod adds. “I think I’d be pissed if I didn’t know who my father was. Those gods are all a bunch of dickheads. It helps to know which dickhead is your father.”

“I guess so.” She looks in the direction he just left in. “It’s just that he’s going through some…stuff.”

“Raven,” Zale warns. “Leave it alone.”

“You’ll let me know when I can meet…my brother? Sister?” Barrett says.

“Brother,” Jarrod replies.

“It’ll be sooner rather than later,” I add.

“You’re taking it well,” Zale says to Barrett. “I think I’d be freaking out.”

Jarrod and I lock eyes. He gives an almost indiscernible nod.

“You should probably know that you have a half-brother, too,” I tell Zale.

His eyes flash to mine. His jaw drops. “I…I have a brother?”

I nod. “One of our group is the son of Zeus.”

“Shit,” Zale pushes out. His eyes are hazed. His mind deep in thought. “I can’t believe it. I somehow didn’t think this pertained to me. I didn’t think… What’s his name?”

“Bolt,” Jarrod says.

“I want to meet him.” Zale starts to smile and then pulls in a breath instead. “What is he like? I can’t fucking believe it.”

“Bolt is out of town for a few more days,” Jarrod says. “We’re going to see if we can get him home sooner. We’re reluctant to convey this information telephonically.”

Zale nods and then swipes a hand over his face. “We might need to hang around for a little while longer.”

“If you can,” I say.

“We can’t stay in town for too long.” Raven clenches her hands in front of her like she’s nervous about something.

“We might have to,” Barrett says. “Maybe a few extra days, Raven.”

“No! We can’t!” she goes on. “We really shouldn’t. We need to keep moving.” She licks her lips. “You might need to tell your friend sooner. Or maybe we can come back in a couple of weeks.”

Keep moving. I frown. It almost sounds like they’re running away from something. Their weyr maybe? She didn’t make it sound like they had run away when we spoke last night, but perhaps they had. I want to ask Raven, but I can’t. Not right