Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(105)

With that last thought, Caitlyn was then consciously brought back to the training room, her mind attempting to process everything it just witnessed.





Chapter 32



Monroe sat in his chair, fingering the worn binding of his favorite book. He usually found comfort from the words etched in between the covers, but not today. All of the confirmations that he had received today that everything was business as usual was wrong. He just knew it.

Monroe could not shake the feeling that something major was brewing. The Cine Tofa had been unusually quiet as of late, and his contacts with the Trust were virtually impossible to reach, which was not par for the course. Something was happening alright, he just needed to figure out what it was and he hoped that it was soon.

The minutes passed as he found himself re-reading the same passage for the fifth time, not really absorbing the words. His head shot up as he heard the doorbell ring, his butler answering the door. Monroe was not expecting any company. He sat up straighter as he recognized the voice that was invited in.

Declan McPherson was shown into the room as Monroe shut his book with a resounding snap, rising to greet his unexpected guest. Declan motioned for him to stay where he was.

Monroe cleared his throat. As much as he tried, he could not keep the surprise out of his voice. “Declan.”

“Monroe, I am sorry for intruding.” For what it was worth, the young McPherson genuinely appeared guilty for interrupting him.

The elder gentleman stood up anyways, placing his novel back on the bookshelf before turning back to the young man. He did a quick assessment of the unexpected guest in front of him. Declan had heavy bags around his eyes, but that was not what concerned Monroe as those were par for the course with Declan at times. Instead it was the finality that shone in them that really bothered him. The Descendant carried a heavy burden of that much Monroe was certain. This was no casual visit, not that it ever was when there was a McPherson involved it seems. “No need to apologize.”

“Thank you. But it is not every day that someone just pops into your home.”

“It’s not the first time, Declan, and I am sure it will not be the last. What brings you here on this Sunday evening?” He decided to get right to the point.

“Business. Like always.”

A sigh escaped his lips. “Well, I figured. It was too much to hope that you were just stopping in because you were in the area. Let me start by advising that I’ve heard about the security breach.”

“You and the rest of our kind it seems. Not a very well-kept secret.”

“No, I guess it was not. How is Garrett Livingston doing?”

Declan’s eyes narrowed. “You know about that?”

Monroe smirked. Both sides always thought he knew less than what he truly did. In truth, that made his job much easier a lot of times, but it was rather insulting at others. He liked to remind them now and again that he should not be underestimated. “You know it is my business to know everything about everything. On both sides. But yes, I’ve known for years his true identity. When you find out that Nathaniel Livingston’s son just mysteriously vanishes one day, you investigate. No matter how much both parties tried to cover it up.”

“Why did you keep that secret?”

Monroe told him the truth. “It was not my secret to tell.”

“I don’t like it, but I can respect it.”

The middle-aged man shrugged. “Thank you. You know I’m neutral. Will always be neutral. Even though I may have opinions of what is right and wrong, if there is not someone who can be objective, then what chance do we have as a people?”

“Someday you will need to choose, Monroe. You cannot stay neutral forever.”

With that, the room took on a more somber tone. Monroe sensed the change in the atmosphere. They were finally getting down to business. All jovialness in Monroe’s voice disappeared. “So what brings you here?”

Declan looked him straight in the eye. “I’ve come to deliver a message. And as you are a neutral party, you are the appropriate person to convey it to the other side.”

Monroe could feel his shoulders tensing. This was not going to be good. “And what exactly is this message?”

“As of this moment, the treaty is null and void.”

Monroe paused. He knew that the recent events revolving the security breech would have a negative impact, but could have never had imaged this. With one sentence, all the work that he had put in over the years, trying to maintain peace between their people, would unravel. If it would unravel tomorrow, this month, or next year, he didn’t know yet. But he knew it would. He was careful with his next words. “Declan, this will have dire consequences.”