I literally felt the room spin and my temples throbbed. Apprehension gripped my heart tight when I raised my face to see Jared walking into the room.

"I...I thought you were gone." I licked my dry lips and gulped nervously.

"Zion and Zaya are my children?" He kept his gaze on mine.

I filed away apprehensive thoughts and conjured calmness and quick thinking. "Where did you hear that?"

"You just said it. I heard you clearly." He looked ready to argue and was that hope and excitement I saw in his ...