Awakening Book One of the Trust Series(72)

Garrett did not respond. Declan placed a hand on his tense arm. “I do not have any intentions of going after Caitlyn. She is just a good friend.” Declan spoke the truth. The whole almost kiss with Caitlyn was a fluke, a moment of weakness. It was something that would not repeat itself.

Garrett must have seen the truth in his eyes because his arm relaxed slightly and he did not say anything but instead nodded and walked out the door as suddenly as he came in.

Declan walked back over to his desk, collapsing in his chair, rubbing his hands over his face. As if this week had not already been tense enough, now he suddenly had to worry about jealous lovers. He knew he would need to talk to Caitlyn about this to figure out the best way to get their training in, but not spend as much time together. Declan hated that because as much as he could appreciate Garrett’s jealousy, he really did value the time he got to spend with his blonde haired friend. There were few and far between people who understood him, and she was one of them.

Declan decided that he really needed to get away from everything, just for a few hours and clear his head. But he knew he did not want to be alone. In a rare move for him, he tucked his report in his hidden safe and transported away, hoping to escape the weight of the world.

When he arrived at his destination, he walked up to the house he was once so familiar with. He sent out a lone thought. “Lionel.”

After a moment, there was a response. “I’ll be right there. Is something wrong, Declan? It’s been months since you have been here.”

“I just need the friendship of an old mentor.”

“Who are you calling old?” The thought was still ringing in his ear when Lionel opened the door, with an easy smile on his lips.

“Well, I would certainly never call you old. Can I come in?”

“Of course.” Lionel motioned for him to come in and Declan entered the foyer. Lionel always had an impressive house; he was never one to be subtle. The architecture and décor was bold and full of contrast, warm yet utterly cold at the same time. It wasn’t the style that Declan would choose for sure, he liked traditionalism. But Declan had been to the estate a hundred times before; he was used to Lionel’s eclectic nature. Lionel ushered him to his private study, where Declan settled into one of the big leather chairs across from his fireplace.

Before sitting down, Lionel stood, appraising Declan for a minute. He was used to this. It was one of Lionel’s trademarks when he trained him ten years ago as a teenager. Every time they met for a training session, Lionel was always quiet for a bit. What Lionel was exactly evaluating, he was never quite sure. Declan knew that most in the Trust were unnerved by this, but his father and him were used to his quirks and did not think twice about it anymore. Finally, when Lionel was appeased with whatever thoughts he was thinking, he took a seat in the chair opposing his and spoke. “So what is on your mind?”

Declan gazed into the empty fireplace. “To be honest, I am not sure. I feel stressed by the weight of everything. The negotiations did not go as smoothly as I had hoped. It was as if the Cine Tofa was making a mockery of the proceedings. I know that they are getting some kind of inside intel. They have to be. They have captured five spies in a matter of six months, two of them at the same time. Five. And that is with taking the utmost precaution not to disclose their identities.”

Lionel pursed his lips. “If there was someone from the inside, who could it be? We have been keeping a very tight rein on internal matters, Declan. Ever since we lost Graham two years ago…”

Declan shook his head. “I don’t know. And that is what is frustrating me. There are always spies on either end, but never one that was so close to the Council. The intel they are getting is too secretive to be someone who is in the outside circle. You know I have always had a knack for ferreting out traitors, but this time, the trail is stopping cold.”

Lionel drummed his fingers on the arm of his chair. “Yes, your father is very frustrated as well. The group of people that he trusts is dwindling dramatically. I frankly don’t blame him one bit. But there is something else bothering you.”

Declan paused. “Yes, there is. Caitlyn. Or should I say, Caitlyn’s boyfriend.”

“Ah, yes. Garrett Stevens.”

Declan’s head shot up in surprise. “You know him?”

Lionel smiled sadly. “I was very good friends with his mother, as was your father, before she died a few years back. I like to keep tabs on him, make sure he is okay. He has no family anymore so I know his mother would want me to.”