War's Passion (Sons of War) Read Online Free

or odd. “Have you seen War?”
    One slender shoulder raised in a shrug and she pressed the C key. “No. I think he’s avoiding me.”
    “That makes two of us.” Markus studied her for several moments. She seemed preoccupied. Usually she hovered close to him or his brothers when she wanted something and annoyed them in a motherly way in her effort to bend them to her will. Yet, tonight she just ran a finger back and forth over the keys, not making a sound. “What’s wrong?”
    Not looking at him, she sighed. “Gwendolyn needs your help.”
    Dread hit him in the gut , then crept its way up his spine. If Aphrodite was asking him for help, it couldn’t be good. Usually the gods didn’t give three shits about the demi-gods. “Why me?”
    A sad smile formed on her face as she held his gaze. “Because I can’t get involved any more than I already am. Her life is in danger. Besides, she’s the last of my mortal children.”
    Blowing out a breath, he ran a hand through his hair. “I don’t know what I can do.” That was a lie. No matter how much he told himself that, he knew what he had to do. Garrick couldn’t be allowed to unlock any more descendants’ powers. The balance of the worlds was shifting.
    Aphrodite stood and narrowed her gaze. “Yes, you do. Protect her. Keep Garrick from capturing her.” Then she dematerialized and ended the argument. Playing bodyguard—especially to the goddess of love’s granddaughter—was the last thing he wanted.
    The front door opened and Markus whirled around to find Ty and Seth stalking toward him with purpose in their steps. Ty curled his lip and growled. “I smell Aphrodite.”
    “ She just left.” Markus bet their arrival was why she chose to leave. Like so many others, the goddess wasn’t comfortable around Ty. Markus didn’t blame her, really. Ty was different since his captivity and release. No longer Seth’s partner in crime when it came to pranks and parties with the females. After he escaped the Imperials’ prison, something in him broke. It was like the bastards extracted the fun-loving, compassionate male he’d once been right out of him and darkened his soul.
    Aphrodite once told Markus she feared Ty would turn rogue. So she stayed clear from him when she visited.
    Seth stepped around their brother and headed to the min i-bar in the corner of the room, and opened the small refrigerator. After pulling out a beer, he gestured to them in a silent question if they wanted one. “Both women are descendants.”
    Giving his brother a short nod, Markus paced to the bar and sat. Seth grabbed a beer and handed it to him. The day kept getting better. Descendants never hung out together. It was part of the curse that bound their powers, but now he wasn’t so sure. “Gwen is Aphrodite’s granddaughter. Who is the other female related to?”
    “ Nyx. Why was the goddess of love here?” Seth frowned.
    Markus stilled , the beer bottle inches from his lips. The goddess of night didn’t have many descendants. In fact, she was a personification of night and couldn’t take human form for long periods of time. So, as far as he understood, she’d never bothered with humans.
    Meeting Seth’s gaze, he asked, “Are you sure she’s Nyx’s?”
    Seth nodded and downed his beer. “Yep , she could see our dragons.”
    Damn . He filed the knowledge, along with his questions, away for later. Right now, they needed to figure out a way to keep the women off Garrick’s radar.
    “ Aphrodite wants me to guard her granddaughter,” Markus said dryly.
    Ty shook his head with a grin plastered on his face. “Better you than me. I will warn you, she’s skittish.”
    Seth waved his beer in Ty’s direction as if dismissing him. “She is not. A little timid, maybe.”
    “Great.” Markus groaned and scrubbed a hand over his face.
    “Seth , tell him the best part.”
    “They ’re coming to dinner tonight.” Seth rolled his eyes.
    Markus jerked his head in Seth ’s