“No,” I replied, speaking for the first time. “She never spoke about men, period. Didn’t even have a brother.”
Avery blew out a breath, but nodded as if he’d expected that.
“And your brother?” he asked. “Would you tell me about him? His affinities…”
I furrowed my brow. “My brother?” Why did he want to know about Zephyr? I thought he’d been looking for me all these years. Maybe he thought Zephyr had killed his men during the massacre?
The longer Avery looked at me, though, his eyes wide and imploring, I began to realize…he didn’t know. He was pretty sure the phantom was a woman, but he didn’t know who I was to him. He knew I wasIris’ daughter, but he thought the one who shared his affinities was Zephyr.
I shook my head as if that would somehow change the truth. I knew Zephyr’s father was Levi. It was obvious, given the skin tone.
“He has an unheard of affinity,” Avery went on, nodding. “Scary at times, right? I know. I know what it’s like when his temper gets out of control. He killed my men at the massacre. I saw the aftermath. It probably frightened you, but…he can do beautiful things, too, right? He killed those men to save you, didn’t he?”
I continued shaking my head, even as a strong force rammed against my mind. I winced, and his eyes narrowed just slightly. I tightened my hold on Aiden, then, making sure I shielded him along with myself. This man wouldn’t get through, and I didn’t know what he’d do when he realized.
“All these years, I’ve been searching. I knew he’d have the divine affinity, but I never imagined he’d have used them to protect a sister. It makes perfect sense.” Avery began to pace, and I blinked several times.
He had no idea.
He thought he had a son.
Also,what?
“Can you take me to him?” Avery asked suddenly. “Is he…” he breathed out sharply. “Is hehere?Will he see me?”
I only shook my head in disbelief.
“Please, show me where he is.” The force rammed against my mind again, but I didn’t even flinch this time. He couldn’t reach me, I was sure of that now. He was sending his affinity at me full force, and it wasn’t getting anywhere.
He rammed against me again, and my affinity perked up in my hands, then began vibrating like it was getting ready to strike.
If my affinity sensed a looming threat…I couldn’t ignore it.
I squeezed my hands into fists, stepping back to cover Aiden more thoroughly. I wasn’t sure how to wake him. I really hoped this wasn’t some affinity thing where I’d need Lena to wake him back up, but I wasn’t opposed to kidnapping.
“Show me where he is,” Avery begged. “Show me. I know I wasn’tthere– I’m sorry. I didn’t know…I would have come for you.Bothof you. He never let me see…Le–”
“You caused the massacre,” I said in a strangled whisper. “Youcaused our pain and suffering. How dare you speak to me…like you cansaveus?”
Avery shook his head frantically. “No. No, it wasn’t…there wasn’t supposed to be a massacre that day. I was only there for my Ward. I didn’t know the two of you were there–”
“You ordered the deaths of dozens of people!” I cried, becoming increasingly agitated by the ramming against my mind.
He wasn’t waiting for an answer from me, he was going to take it whether or not I wanted to give it.
As usual, someone was underestimating me, only he had no idea what he was messing with. He couldn’t even sense that he wasn’t getting through to me.
“I didn’t,” he said desperately. “It wasn’t supposed to happen that way. She just–” He cut off abruptly, shaking his head. “I would have come for you. Please tell me his name. At least tell me his name. I can find him and explain–”
“He hates you,” I whispered. “He wouldneverspeak to you.”
Avery looked almost devastated for a moment, then he rammed against my mind again, and this time, I responded, pushing back so hard he visibly flinched.
When he recovered, his eyes turned wild. He shook his head, narrowing his gaze slightly as he looked me over, seeing me in a new light.
“You’re a Telepath,” he said slowly, then nodded. “That figures. Ben always–”
He was cut off as a heavy door creaked, revealing Alexander.
