Free Ashes of War (Sons of War) by Lia Davis Page B

in. Pushing it way, she dropped the news on him she’d hoped to break to him gently. “I’m not Artemis. I’m her daughter…and yours.”
    He paused and searched her eyes. Of course he wouldn’t believe her. His gaze flicked to his right shoulder. “Who’s the dragon?”
    “My mate.”
    Releasing her, Evan stepped back from both of them. “I have no daughter. Tell the gods their tricks no longer work to taunt me. Leave now, before I call the police.”
    He turned and walked into the small office on the far side of the garage. Ash’s nose tingled and her vision blurred as fat tears filled her eyes and rolled down her cheeks. Ty stepped in close and hugged her to his chest. Then he teleported them out of there.
     
     
     
     

Chapter Twelve
     
     
    Gwen drummed her fingers on the desk in the hotel room she and Markus checked into an hour ago. They gotten the first lead on a weaver. “Why do they hide?”
    Markus massaged her shoulders gently. “Because, love, they use to be hunted by daemons for their powers. The few left do everything they can to hide their true natures.”
    “And that’s why I’m perfect for locating them,” she said dryly.
    Leaning down, he kissed her cheek and then her neck. Warmth spread through her, making her smile. Gods, she loved him with every fiber of her being. They were a mated pair, bonded to each other—soul, mind, and body. His strength was hers and hers, his.
    Gwen would have it no other way.
    Markus was hers, as was his dragon.
    His low growl vibrated against her skin. “Your desires drive me crazy.”
    She pressed her thighs together as his need filtered down the mating bond. All of the sudden, he was gone. Turning her head, she found him looking through the peephole in the door. A ting of fear made her heart rate spike a little.
    Closing her eyes, she breathed in and out slowly to calm the panic that still haunted her. After all, watching her father die in front of her eyes by a fire breathing dragon and spending fourteen years running from the dragon kind of made her edgy. Okay, so she was a little more than edgy. More like a pathetic mess who suffered from panic attacks at every loud noise.
    “Gwen?” Markus’s concerned, low tone broke her from her thoughts.
    She waved her hand at him over her shoulder. “I’m fine.”
    The door clicked open and the oddest sensation circled her, kissing her bare arms. Turning toward the now open door, she stared at the woman who walked into the room at Markus’s encouragement.
    Standing about five foot four with modest curves and long, curly, fiery red hair, the woman was pretty and glowed from inner magic. The glow was her magical signature, an aura. Gwen wasn’t sure how she saw it. She was almost tempted to ask Markus if he saw the soft ice blue hue, which surrounded the woman.
    “I’m Selene, the weaver you’ve been looking for.”
    Gwen blinked, then turned to Markus, who shrugged and closed the door. Focusing back on Selene, Gwen rose from her chair. “I’m sorry. I’m being rude. I didn’t expect you to just show up.”
    Selene laughed softly, a beautiful and infectious child-like sound. “You and your dragon are drawing too much attention with your inquiries.”
    “What do you mean? We were discreet.” Gwen glanced at Markus for some kind of reassurance. Of course, he didn’t give it.
    Selene sighed. “Most the people in town know what I am and are very aware some seek to harm me and anyone standing in their way.”
    “Oh.”
    Markus walked over to stand next to Gwen, his arms folded over his chest. “Will you help us?”
    Holding a hand up, Selene shook her head. “Not so fast, dragon. You haven’t told me what you want. Nothing comes free.”
    “We’ll pay you for your time.” Markus shot back with a low growl.
    Selene glanced to Gwen. “Does he always growl?”
    Nodding, Gwen tried to hide her smile. “Yes. We seek a weaver to help break a memory spell.”
    Tapping her chin with an index finger,