Lord of Destiny (The Dragon Demigods #6) - Charlene Hartnady Page 0,31
now. I get the distinct impression that she won’t open up in front of the others.
“I’m not leaving until I meet my brother,” Zale says.
“We might not have a choice.” Raven’s eyes look fearful for a second, and then it’s gone. The emotion is replaced with determination. “We’re not leaving you behind. Either we all stay, or we all go.”
“I don’t think we have to worry anymore. It’s been long enough, I think we’re—”
“Stop!” Raven raises her voice. “Don’t go there. We’ll discuss it later when West cools off, and Maddox is back. We’ll take a vote.”
Zale finally nods. He doesn’t look too happy about it.
They’re afraid. At least, Raven is. My scales rub. I try to catch Raven’s eyes, but she keeps them averted. “I’m going to help West.” She plasters on a smile that isn’t fooling anyone.
“How can we help?” I ask.
She throws out a tense laugh. “There are only a few plates.”
“Forget the dishes. I’m talking about your situation. With whatever is going on with your group.” I keep my voice soft and even.
They’re not fine at all, but I don’t say that. “If there’s something threatening you, we should know about it, since you’re staying with us.”
“You have nothing to worry about.” She shakes her head. “We wouldn’t put you in danger.” Then she walks away.
This isn’t nothing, and it isn’t the first time I’ve gotten the sense that they’re running away from something. I wish they’d tell us. I meant what I said about helping, about being more prepared.
9
Raven
The front door closes, and it’s just us left in the house.
“I can’t believe this,” Maddox pushes out. He leans back in his chair. “I have a brother, and I could have more family out there. We all could.”
“It’s crazy,” Zale says, shaking his head. “My half-brother’s name is Bolt. I have a half-brother. It’s surreal.” He swallows thickly. “Who would have thought this would happen a couple of days ago?”
“Not me!” Barrett says.
“Good chance we all have relatives.” West looks like he’s buzzing with energy. He shifts a couple of times in his seat and sits up taller. His eyes are bright. He looks lighter in himself than I’ve seen him in a long time. I pray he isn’t getting his hopes up too much. A blood relative would mean the world to West. It’s at times like these that I feel myself soften when I look at him. What can I say? I do still care for him. That will never go away. I still love him, even if it isn’t in the same way anymore. I also see a hint of a smile toying with his lips. I don’t want him to be hurt. We may never know who West’s father is, which means that even if he has a half-brother, we wouldn’t be able to confirm it easily. I don’t want to rain on his parade, so I keep quiet…for now.
“Our fathers sure got around.” Barrett glowers; he is in the opposite mood. “Bastards! Sowing their seed and never sticking around to raise their offspring. No wonder we’re all a little fucked up.”
“What?” I snort. “And you think ‘normal’ people from ‘normal’ households aren’t just as fucked up? I think you’d be shocked.”
“I suppose,” Barrett says, shrugging. “Still, think of the trouble they caused. A few days of fun, and boom…a whole string of illegitimate children were born. Bunch of pricks, if you ask me.”
“Choices were made. The gods never forced anyone,” Maddox says. “It takes two to tango.”
“They’re fertile bastards,” Barret throws out. “I’ll say that much.”
“Forget the gods!” West’s voice is a rasp. “They want even less to do with us than our weyr did, and that’s saying something. All I can say is that I hope Stephan and the rest of those fuckers stop jerking our chains,” he adds. “We need to meet all of them. I might have a brother too. I’m sure I would recognize my own flesh and blood. Maybe I could…” He shakes his head. “Forget it,” he mumbles. West is desperate to find out who his father is. It’s something that’s always plagued him, and understandably so.
“They’re not jerking us around,” Maddox says. “They’re being cautious. I’m sure they’ll come back with answers for us. With some sort of a plan.”
“That’s why Jarrod and Stephan called a meeting with their group,” I say. “They want to introduce us. Let’s wait to hear what comes of it.”