Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(34)

“Thank you.” She looked down, staring at the floor for a moment before looking back up in his face. “I appreciate that. I am beginning to feel like a freak among freaks, if you know what I mean.”

“Actually, I do… I saw Garrett pointing out my father and myself earlier to you, so I am guessing he filled you in on my history. If not… well, I have the same reputation as you. You get used to it after a while.”

She smiled. It seemed like he was easy to talk to. “That is good to know. So how long have you been an Actual?”

“Well, I’ve always known what I was. My family is from the linage of the Descendants.”

Caitlyn was shocked. “You are a Descendant?”

It was Declan’s turn to shrug. “Garrett did not tell you that part, huh? My dad is the Head of Household. It’s really not all that impressive to me.”

“It must have been so much easier for you knowing what was happening when you were still a Potential.”

“Yes… and no. I had my Awakening at the age of sixteen. Makes it pretty difficult when you are the sole teenager in decades that has awoken that soon.”

Caitlyn had a hard time imagining a teenager awakening with those capabilities. “I can picture that being rough.”

He nodded. “Almost as difficult as when you turned and had no idea what was coming.”

Caitlyn was going to comment on Declan’s response when she saw Garrett making his way through the crowd. When his eyes rested on Declan, his eyes slanted the slightest bit as he walked up to them.

“Garrett Stevens. Nice to see you again.” Declan put out his hand.

Garrett took the offered hand. “Declan. What brings you over here?”

The Descendant glanced at Caitlyn. “Just wanted to meet one of the big topics of conversation this evening is all. Caitlyn, it was a pleasure meeting you, and I am sure that you will continue to exceed everyone’s expectations. Garrett, if you will please excuse me, I have a couple of other people I need to see before the evening is through.”

Garrett gave a tight-lipped smile in return before Declan turned, disappearing through the crowd. Caitlyn turned to him. “What was that about?”

Garrett put his hands in his pocket. “What was what about?”

Caitlyn motioned her head in the direction Declan took off in. “Don’t play dumb. That.”

Garrett sighed. “Nothing really. Declan and I just don’t see eye to eye on everything. To be honest, we don’t even know each other very well. I work with his father a lot more than him.”

At that point, Caleb was finally making his way back with their drinks, stopping to say hello to a retreating Declan in passing. Caitlyn gladly took the offered glass when he arrived. “Sorry it took so long, but there was a leggy blonde that was begging to meet me.”

Garrett slapped his shoulder. “Who was it this time?”

“Stacy Rollingsford, daughter of the Councilmen. She just returned from some time with the Trust in Europe and she had not seen me in years. She was very interested in catching up if you know what I mean.”

“Well, I am surprised you are even here.”

The offense on Caleb’s face was evident. “Hey, I wouldn’t leave Caitlyn by herself. Who knows how long you and Isla would have been?” His head turned back in the direction of the bar. “But… if you are back…”

Caitlyn couldn’t help but laugh. “Go before she wanders off.”

Caleb leaned over giving her a kiss on the cheek. “I knew I would like you. I’ll meet up with you two later.”

Garrett moved his hand to her waist again. “Isla was advising me that there are quite a few more people who want to meet you tonight. Apparently, I am not doing my job well. Do you mind if I introduce to a few dozen people?”

“Of course not.”

The next two hours were a blur to Caitlyn. Between the politicians, the Councilmen, and the high ranking Actuals, Caitlyn felt as if she had been put through the ringer with the many questions she had been asked. Caitlyn was never a wallflower by any means, but the amount of questions that had been fired at her would leave the most social butterfly longing for a moment by herself.

Garrett seemed to understand how she felt as she was again subjected to another line of questioning, this time by an older woman who was part of some sort of Trust committee. “Need a moment?”

“Please.”

Garrett looked at the woman apologetically. “Mrs. Overton, please forgive me for interrupting, but I hope you will understand if I take this young woman away for a few minutes for a breath of fresh air?”