The Guardians (MORE Trilogy) (8 page)

“That doesn’t sound like you.” Katherine pocketed her phone and peered at Caleb curiously. “I mean, I’ve heard rumors of you and the Guardians
 . . .
”

“Like that’s a big secret.”

“But bad-mouthing Mommy and the Council?” Katherine snickered at Caleb’s dark look. She’d always loved getting under his skin. “I’m just saying it’s refreshing to hear you thinking for yourself, that’s all. Maybe the girl’s been a good influence on you.”

“Ava doesn’t have anything to do with it.” He leaned in, his eyes glittering in the darkness. “Hasn’t it ever irked you, Katherine? We’re the most powerful beings on this planet, and we’re relegated to . . . to chauffeur duties and babysitting. Doesn’t it seem like our time could be better spent elsewhere?”

Katherine stared at him, eyes wide with surprise at the underlying vehemence in his voice.

“We’re supposed to be Protectors. From whom? It seems a bit ridiculous, is all. Half-Breeds are some horrible threat? Or maybe the humans? I’m not sure I see it.”

“Caleb, what are you talking about?” Katherine whispered as she glanced over her shoulder, suddenly nervous. “You can’t say things like that.”

Caleb opened his mouth to respond, but after a moment, shook his head, letting out a self-deprecating laugh. “Sorry. Ignore me,” he said. “I’m just tired. Need a few cubes and a good night’s sleep, I think.”

Katherine let out a quiet breath, all teasing gone. “That’s probably a good idea.”

He forced a smile. “Yeah . . . yeah. Forget I said anything. I don’t know what’s gotten into me lately.”

“Don’t worry about it,” Katherine replied. “You know I won’t mention it again.”
 

Caleb turned to leave, but stopped when she touched his arm.
 

“Be careful, Caleb. You of all people should know you don’t want to end up in the Council’s crosshairs.”

He nodded, but his jaw was tense, and he didn’t meet her eyes. “It’s fine. I’m fine. I’ll see you later, Katherine.” She released him, and he walked away through the trees, a little embarrassed at his outburst.
 

It was true that he’d been feeling jerked around by the Council lately, but that was really nothing new. The Council had always operated on a need-to-know basis when it came to the Protectors, and he’d never had a problem with it before. Caleb had always taken his responsibilities as a Protector seriously, and even when working with the Guardians, only did so because he thought he was doing the right thing—for his people, as well as the humans and Half-Breeds. For a moment when talking with Katherine, however, he’d felt an unfamiliar irritation . . . a
frustration
with his role in Race society, and he wasn’t sure why.

He pulled a couple of R-cubes from his pocket and chewed them thoughtfully. He really wasn’t in the mood for walking. A quick shift home and some sleep, and everything would make more sense in the morning.

Ava flipped through her notes, but she could feel Lucy watching her—again—and didn’t need her Race senses to know something was on her mind. She looked up, only to have Lucy drop her eyes immediately to the book Ava knew she wasn’t really reading.

“What?” she asked.

Lucy blinked innocently. “Hmm?”
 

If she hadn’t known her so well, Ava might have bought it. “Don’t ‘hmm’ me,” Ava said, slapping her textbook shut and shoving her notes aside. “You’ve got something on your mind. Out with it.”

Lucy bit her lip, eyeing her roommate nervously. “It’s just . . . I’m not sure if I should say anything.”

“About?”

Lucy pushed her books aside and crossed the room to sit cross-legged next to Ava. After a moment, she reached out to squeeze Ava’s hand, a sad and almost pitying look on her face.

“Okay, now you’re freaking me out,” Ava said, forcing a laugh.
 

“Sorry.” Lucy winced, but she didn’t pull away. Instead, she took a deep breath. “Okay, it’s about Caleb.”

Of all the things Ava had imagined, that wasn’t one of them. “What about Caleb?”

“How . . . serious are you guys?”

Ava wasn’t even certain how to answer that question. Sure, she knew how she felt about Caleb, and she was pretty sure she knew how he felt about her. But it was complicated. They seemed stalled in a way, especially after their recent conversation about the bond. Ava avoided thinking about it because part of her didn’t know what it meant, and part of her was worried about what it
could
mean.

“We’re pretty serious, I guess.”

“You guess?” Lucy squeezed her hand again.
 

Ava felt the urge to tell her everything. She couldn’t, of course. That would put Lucy’s life in danger, not to mention her own and probably Caleb’s as well. But she could talk to her about
some
of it. The
normal
stuff. The
boy-girl
stuff. Maybe if she left out all the supernatural, life-threatening parts. After all, Lucy was her best friend. And she did have more experience with guys than Ava did. A lot more.

“I love him,” she said quietly, the words foreign on her tongue, though she’d thought them plenty of times.

“Yeah, that part’s pretty obvious.” She scooted next to Ava and put her free arm around her shoulders. “And?”

“And . . . it’s good. It’s really good.” Ava said, not meeting her eyes.

“But?”

Ava glanced at her sidelong. “You sound like a Schoolhouse Rock song.” At Lucy’s blank look, she sang tunelessly, “
Conjunction Junction, what’s your function?
I swear, Luce, your childhood was sorely lacking.”

Lucy smiled but didn’t let her off the hook. “But?”
 

“But,” Ava said and sighed. “I’m just not sure where it’s going. He’s holding back.”

“How do you mean?”
 

Ava gave her a significant look, and Lucy gasped, her eyes widening as her mouth formed an astonished O.

“You mean you haven’t?”
 

Ava shook her head, her face hot.

“But you’ve been together for months!”
 

Ava shrugged. “We’re taking it slow.”

“Well, that’s . . . fine.” Lucy patted her hand. “I mean, there’s nothing wrong with taking your time.”

“There’s not, right?”

“Of course not.” Lucy fidgeted a bit then exhaled heavily. Her words flowed out in a rush. “It’s just, I saw him—Caleb, I mean. Although who else would I be talking about, right?” She laughed nervously.
 

“And?” Ava wasn’t sure where this was going, but she had a feeling it wasn’t good.

“And he wasn’t alone.” The words came out in a final rush. “
Hewaswithawoman.
”

“What?”

“I mean, it doesn’t mean anything, right?” Lucy sounded as if she were set on high speed. She didn’t even pause for breath as the words rushed out of her mouth in a torrent. “They were only talking. And I don’t want to make it seem like a big deal, but I saw them, and I kind of waved, but he looked a little upset that I did—”

“Luce—”

“And she was
gorgeous
! I mean, no offense, you know I think you’re beautiful. You
are
beautiful, but she was gorgeous, and it just hit me as odd—”

“Lucy—”

“And I hated not saying anything to you, because we tell each other everything, right?”

“Lucy, slow down.” Ava shifted to face her on the bed, one leg tucked under her. “What woman?”

She shrugged. “I don’t know who she was. She’s tall and, like I said, gorgeous. Pale, but in a pretty way, not sickly, long straight black hair
 . . .
”

Ava’s stomach flipped.
 

Katherine.

“And they seemed to be having this intense conversation. I mean, not like fighting, but . . . involved.”

Ava knew she had to tread carefully. “It’s okay, Luce. I know her.”

“You do?”

Ava nodded, forcing a smile. “Yeah. She and Caleb work together.”

“She’s a physics tutor?” Lucy looked skeptical.

Ava laughed. “No. He has another job.”
 

Doing what?
 

Ava feared she was painting herself into a corner. “Back home on school breaks, you know?”
 

“So what’s she doing here?”

What
is
she doing here?

“Oh, you know, she’s pretty new at it, and Caleb kind of works as a consultant when he’s away. They’re old friends, so he’s helping her out.” It sounded weak and full of holes, even to her. She held her breath, remembering the old adage that the simpler a lie, the better. If in doubt, shut up. She reached for her book, like the conversation was over.

“Are you
 . . .
” Lucy ducked her head, trying to meet her eyes. “Are you sure that’s it? I mean, it didn’t look like a work conversation.”

Ava forced herself to meet Lucy’s gaze. “I’m sure. It’s nothing, Luce, really.”

“Okay,” she said slowly. “ ’Cause you know I’ve totally got your back, right? If that witch was making the moves on your man
 . . .
” She clenched her fists like a boxer. “I would take. Her. Out.”

Ava laughed. “I appreciate the thought,” she said. “But it’s really not necessary. Caleb and me, we’re good.”

“Well, the offer stands.” Lucy stood up and went back to her own bed, flopping down and still managing to be graceful about it. “You’d do the same for me, right?”
 

Ava grinned. “In a heartbeat.”

In a confinement facility in New Elysia, Elias Borré considered his surroundings with an indifferent air. It was nice, as prisons went; more like a small condo than a cell. The one-bedroom unit was comfortably furnished; the only thing lacking was anything that could be used as a weapon—like knives in the kitchen or mirrors in the bathroom.
 

He sat on the rather stiff sofa, watching the door, as he had for the past hour or so, too distracted to concentrate on reading any of the drivel lining the nearby bookshelf. He’d appeared briefly in front of the Council before being assigned his “quarters” and was scheduled for further questioning the following morning.
 

The Council had procedures, after all, and even Rogues were allowed time to rest. It was all so very civilized. He eyed the cameras they didn’t even bother to hide, wondering who was watching, and resisted the urge to make a crude gesture.

Borré felt the presence of another a few seconds before a quiet knock sounded at the door. It was irritating, since he was locked in—the knock only reinforced the illusion of privacy. It’s not as if he could stop anyone from coming in anyway. He didn’t bother getting up but remained on the couch as the door opened and the person he’d been expecting entered.
 

Borré glanced significantly at the cameras.

“Don’t worry,” his visitor said, taking a seat in a chair across from him. “They’ve been dealt with.”
 

He didn’t elaborate, and Borré didn’t pursue the point, instead relaxing back into the sofa cushions. “Have you heard from Sloan?” he asked.

“Foster’s back with the Michaels girl. Sloan and his men are keeping tabs on both of them.”

“His men?” Borré raised a brow. Sloan Bartok usually worked alone. He never needed anyone else.