War's Passion (Sons of War) by Lia Davis Page B

Gwen’s gaze. “Can you let me know if you find out anything in your father’s journals?”
    “Of course.”
    Drake stood. “I’ll see if I can get any hits on the names. Aphrodite, do you know their ages? Or their birthdays? That would help narrow the search.”
    The goddess shook her head. “I can try to find out. I’m also going to talk to Themis and Nike and see if they’ll give me anything. I can’t make promises, but I’ll try.”
    Zavier rose from where he sat behind the bar, a tablet in his hand. “I’ll help Drake with computer searches.” Walking around the bar, he moved toward Gwen. Markus didn’t miss the way Elle tensed when Zavier reached between them from behind the sofa and handed Gwen the tablet. “All the journal files are loaded as well as some research notes I found.”
    She took the hand held computer. “Thank you.”
    A few moments later, Markus was alone with Gwen, surprised she stayed behind when the others left. He remained silent while he drank the last of his beer, unsure of what to say to her. The knowledge of them being mates didn’t sit well her. That led him to think she wouldn’t believe him if he told her they were fated to be together.
    The silence finally got to him and he set the beer bottle down hard enough the sound echoed through the downstairs. Gwen flinched, but didn’t look at him.
    “I don’t understand the things I feel when I’m around you.”
    There. He said it.
    Studying her hands in her lap, she sagged into the sofa. “I’m starting to care for you more than I should. It scares me.”
     
     
    ****
     
     
    Markus’s shadow fell across Gwen as he stopped in front of her. She glanced up and he held out his hand. Reluctantly, she placed her hand in his and allowed him to pull her to her feet. With their fingers linked, he tugged her toward the kitchen. “What are you doing?”
    “I’m making you something to eat , since I ruined dinner.”
    Guilt crept up her spine. “Look, Markus, earlier I was tired and sore and frustrated. I didn’t…”
    He stopped and turned around. “Don’t apologize. I was an ass. I’m always an ass. Just ask my brothers.”
    One corner of his lips lifted, making her smile. “Okay, but I was being crabby as well.”
    Closing the distance, he lowered his head and kissed her lightly. Moaning, she leaned into him, but he ended the kiss much too soon. With a raised brow, he turned around and led her to the kitchen.
    Markus set her on the counter beside him as he chopped vegetables for an omelet. He’d said it was the only thing he knew how to make. The confession made her laugh and her heart melted a little more.
    When she turned on the tablet Zavier gave her, she noticed the files were neatly placed in a folder with her father’s name. Opening the folder she scanned over the journal entries while asking Markus questions.
    “Do you think I’ll find something useful in my father’s journals?”
    He shrugged. “I hope so. Even if it’s only a small amount of information, it’s more than we know now.”
    Good point.  If her dad worked with Garrick, then there was bound to be something he recorded. “What if Dad didn’t know anything?”
    As soon as she asked the question she knew the answer. “Never mind. Aphrodite said my father had foresight. She said it was unpredictable, but I’m guessing he could ha ve seen something.”
    Markus nodded. “Let’s hope he did.”
    “Can I ask a personal question?
    “Sure.”
    “You didn’t have a childhood, right?”
    He paused chopping for brief moment, then resumed. “No. Have you heard the legend of the Spartoi?”
    When she nodded, he continued. “We are the Spartoi, or the Sons of War. Although the truth has been modified over the centuries. After Ares’s dragon was slain in a battle between the gods and their earth borne children, Ares sowed one set of the dragon’s teeth into the earth. From the teeth were born the Spartoi.”
    “How many of you were