The Guardian Chronicles 2: Dark Horizon (34 page)

“Guess that means the mole wasn’t just confined to us then,” Elise sighed. “Or here’s an even more disturbing thought, what if there is more than one?”

“In all honesty, that might actually be the case,” Jonathan nodded. “Or at least that seems to be the direction that the council is leaning. There are, however other matters of more importance.”

“What’s more important than finding out who the mole or moles are and finding Sainte-Pierre’s mysterious partner?” Gabriel asked in surprise. He assumed that would be the focus of the next several weeks, especially since the moles seemed to have found a way to access their storage facilities without getting caught.

“The fact that several of the vampire covens have officially withdrawn from the treaty banning open war with lycans,” Aadesh sighed. “This creates a problem for us.”

“Which covens?” Ethan asked.

“The Heralds and the Bloods,” Aadesh said. “Two of the most powerful covens in the world, their breaking with the treaty could have very serious repercussions. We’ve already started seeing an increase in violence against the lycans, units are being mobilized to help stem the tide of violence before it spills over into the streets.”

“Two hundred years of peace,” Everett sighed. “And it comes down to this, why?”

“I think it’s safe to say that Anton was telling the truth,” Jonathan went on. “And that someone, most likely Sainte-Pierre’s ally, is working hard to ensure that the Guardians are busy dealing with everything else but the search for him or her.”

“That’s probably a valid point,” Elise nodded. “Have the vampires made any mention of breaking the treaty that would allow them to hunt humans?”

“No,” Jonathan said, shaking his head. “And several more have pledged to remain neutral and out of the fighting all together, including Anton and his coven.”

“But if they do break that treaty, we’ll be stretched pretty thin trying to defend the humans and the lycans,” Ryan pointed out.

“And we can’t openly go to war with the Bloods and the Heralds,” Elise sighed. “That would draw everyone into a conflict that we might not be able to contain.”

“Right now the Guardians will act in a defensive capacity only, assuming lycan packs actually ask for help,” Jonathan explained. “Until then we are to stay out of it and try and keep this thing from growing completely out of control.”

“We’re going to be hard pressed to do that,” Ryan sighed. “Demon and monster sightings have gone through the roof over the past few weeks.”

“We’re doing all that we can,” Jonathan assured them.

“We need to find this person,” Ethan said, leaning forward. “We find whoever or whatever is behind all this and then we shut them down before they really cause damage.”

“We’re hoping that we can get some more information out of Sainte-Pierre’s mainframe,” Marissa added.

“Sounds like it’s all going to hell in a hand basket,” Ethan grunted. “And as much as I hate to say it, Anton was right about this. Ew, that left an awful taste in my mouth.”

“We’re entering dangerous waters,” Jonathan said, looking at the assembled Guardians. “Things are going to continue to get more complicated and dangerous the longer this ally of Sainte-Pierre’s is out there and on the loose. We’re drawing up new assignments; we should have them for you in the morning.”

They stood and filed from the room, Gabriel being one of the last ones out. He fell into step behind Ryan and Tony.

“Guess this means that things are going to get a whole lot more interesting,” Tony grunted.

“
Oh more than you know,” Ryan nodded, he turned seeing Gabriel behind them. “Glad that you are on our side in this we are going to need all the help that we can get.”

Gabriel just nodded.