For several long seconds, nobody moved.
The rain continued falling.
Emergency lights flashed red across the cargo deck.
Steel groaned beneath their feet.
And Allison Croft stared at the stranger who had just casually destroyed her understanding of reality.
"I'm your uncle."
The words echoed in her head.
Again.
And again.
And again.
Her uncle.
No.
That didn't make sense.
Her mother had never mentioned a brother.
Not once.
Not in twenty-two years.
Not during birthdays.
Not during holidays.
Not during family stories.
Nothing.
The stranger seemed to read every thought crossing her face.
His expression softened.
Only slightly.
"You have your mother's thinking face."
Allison blinked.
"What?"
The man pointed toward her forehead.
"Right there."
His deep voice carried easily through the storm.
"You wrinkle it when you're trying to solve something."
Theo immediately nodded.
"She does."
Lucian nodded too.
"She does."
Allison looked offended.
