Playing With Fire (Power of Four Book 2) Read Free Page A

and my dad.” It was only a few days ago that Aaron had met Patrick, and he remembered their conversation well.
    Patrick looked confused. He glanced to Michael before looking back at Aaron. “I meant your other uncle,” he said. Seeing Aaron’s confusion, he elaborated. “Your paternal uncle, Alex Adams.”
    Aaron stood still. Patrick’s words echoed in his head, fighting to make sense. Slowly, Aaron looked over to Michael. His uncle was staring at him, his face shadowed with guilt. He couldn’t hold Aaron’s stare for long. Patrick was looking between them in confusion.
    “Did I miss something?” he said. “Aaron, you okay?”
    Aaron didn’t say anything. He took a step back and turned, walking away.
    “Aaron! Aaron, wait!” Michael hurried after him. He grabbed Aaron’s arm, and forced him back around. “Listen to me.”
    “Why?” Aaron snapped, pulling himself out of Michael’s hand. “Do I have more family I don’t know about?” he seethed. “More uncles? Aunts? Grandparents, even?”
    “I know you’re mad,” Michael said. “You have every right to be.”
    Aaron shook his head, moving back a few steps. “You know what? I get that mum and dad didn’t tell me about being a mage. I get that they kept this world from me, kept the fact that I’m an Elemental hidden, but not to tell me about my own family?” Aaron was so angry his hands were shaking, his fingertips buzzing. “That’s it. I’m done with them. I’m done!”
    “Don’t say that,” Michael pleaded. “At the very least, hear them out–”
    Aaron let out a bitter bark of a laugh. “Hear them out? Yeah, okay, I’ll hear them out. Problem is, they won’t tell me anything.”
    “Yes they will,” Michael said. “This time they will. And if they don’t, then I will.”
    Aaron paused, staring at him, unsure if he believed him.
    Michael took a step closer. “I’ve always wanted to tell you, Aaron. I urged Chris and Kate to tell you the truth but they couldn’t bring themselves to do it. It’s not my place to tell you what happened.” He reached out to hold on to Aaron’s shoulders. “But if they don’t give you answers today, then I will. I’ll tell you everything , I promise.” He held Aaron’s gaze. “But give your parents one last chance to do right by you.”
    Aaron tried his best to push his anger down, to bury it for now so he could face his parents. He stuck his trembling hands into his pockets and hunched his shoulders before nodding.
    ***
    Sam and Rose were still upstairs – whether or not they were packing, Aaron didn’t know. He was in the living room, seated on the sofa with Michael. Both his parents were in front of him, apparently too wound up to sit. Aaron didn’t say anything. He sat in silence as his mum and dad shared uneasy looks. Neither of them started the conversation. Aaron turned to give Michael a look.
    “He’s waited long enough,” Michael said to both Chris and Kate. “Don’t make him wait any longer.”
    Chris nodded at Michael before looking at Aaron. He shook his head slightly. “I don’t know how to start this,” he said, betraying his honest hesitation.
    “How about you start with family?” Aaron said, trying and failing to hide his anger. “Why don’t you start with Uncle Alex ?”
    The colour faded from Chris’s face.
    “Why didn’t you tell me?” Aaron asked. “Why keep family a secret? Why not just tell me I have an uncle–”
    Michael reached out and held on to Aaron’s arm. He shook his head at him. Aaron looked back at his dad, to see what could only be described as pain flash across his features.
    “I’m sorry,” Chris said, his voice reduced to nothing more than a whisper. “I should have told you.”
    Kate came to his side, her hand slid into his and Chris closed his eyes, drawing quiet strength from her.
    “Alex,” Chris started, “was my brother.” He opened his eyes to look at Aaron. “You had an uncle, Aaron, but we lost him.” Chris