Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(33)

Caleb whistled. “Wow. Caitlyn, he told us you were a quick learner, but not that that quick.”

Caitlyn had shrugged it off. She was getting used to random people telling her what an accomplishment it was. To her it felt normal. “I guess it just comes easily to me. So Caleb, Isla, what do you do?”

Caleb was the first to answer. “I actually have a degree in computer programming. So I work for the Trust in their computer programming department for their new software, but… I also am a hacker.” He grinned slyly. “I get paid to hack into the Cine Tofa’s computer systems.”

That was actually pretty cool and she said as much. “What about you, Isla?”

“I work for the Trust’s public relations department. My job is to make the Trust look as perfect as possible, and make sure that nothing inappropriate is leaked. Right now it is a sweet job, but when the Inception occurs, it is going to be hell.”

Caitlyn thought they both somehow resembled their jobs. Caleb was just a little rebellious with his messy hair and crooked tie, while Isla in contrast, looked like perfection and completely business like even though she was in a cocktail dress. Caitlyn could tell she was always on the job, as this Declan McPherson apparently was. That was something she could respect about Isla.

A gentleman tapped Isla on the shoulder, whispering in her ear, with Isla nodding in earnest. She grabbed Garrett’s arm. “I have to speak to you about something in private. Can I borrow you for a moment?”

Garrett looked at Caitlyn as if he was unsure if he should leave her. She gave him a playful shove towards Isla. “I’ll be fine. Go. Discuss.”

“Thank you.” Garrett followed Isla’s lead into the crowd.

Caleb shrugged at Caitlyn as the two walked away obviously as confused by the exchange as the Potential was. “This party needs some excitement. I think it is time for some refreshments. Do you want me to get you a drink?”

A drink sounded perfect in that moment. She was hoping it would ease her nerves that were creeping back in. “That would be great.”

“What would you like?”

“Some kind of white wine would be terrific.”

“No problem. I’ll be right back.” He winked and took off in the direction of the bar across the room. She stood there in the corner, enjoying watching the various people talking. Most were laughing and having a good time, but there was still a good number that seemed to be discussing business. Caitlyn eyed the floor for people that she knew, but it seemed like a lot of people at this gathering were high level Actuals and therefore her knowledge of whom people were was limited at best.

Caitlyn jumped when she heard an unfamiliar voice come up next to her from nowhere. “Hi.”

She turned to the sound of the voice, and was again greeted by those blue eyes that Garrett had pointed out earlier. “Hello.”

He stuck out his hand. “I am Declan McPherson. You must be Caitlyn.”

She shook it, giving a firm handshake. “I am. How did you know who I was?”

Declan gave that appraising look she had caught him giving earlier in the evening. “You have a reputation.”

This Caitlyn knew already. Everyone she had met this evening thus far had made some small remark about how remarkably well she was doing. “So I’ve heard.”

He smiled at that response. “It’s not a bad thing. People are just impressed and excited is all. What do you make of what they are all saying?”

She absentmindedly tugged at a strand of her hair as she thought briefly on his question. Her instinct told her just to go with the truth. “I don’t think what I am doing is remarkable at all.”

He arched his eyebrow. “You don’t?”

Caitlyn shrugged. “No, I don’t. I mean, it comes so natural. The blocking, the telepathy, the telekinesis. Everyone has been going on and on about how difficult it is preparing for the Threshold and being up to par, but I almost feel as if I am not being challenged enough.” She paused, realizing perhaps that comment could be misconstrued. Her eyes widened and she rushed to clarify. “Not that I am saying that Garrett is not doing a wonderful job. Because he is. He is a terrific mentor. But I guess what I am trying to say is that deep inside I know that there is more to what I can do, more to what I am capable of. I just feel like I am barely scratching the surface. Wow… That sounds very arrogant, doesn’t it?”

“No, it sounds like you are telling the truth. I don’t see anything wrong with that.”