Awakening Book One of the Trust Series

chapter 20

Declan just wanted to shut off his mind at the moment from the world. He felt like he needed a stiff drink. At least he had been with Caitlyn and Derrick and not on his own for this round with the Cine Tofa. It made the proceedings a bit more bearable. Her easy laugh had soothed him when he could feel himself tensing up during some particularly rough spots. It was nice not to be alone in the talks. Declan was pleased that Caitlyn admitted that she learned a lot from the experience. This was different from all the other training they had prior to that point. It shouldn’t have surprised him that she was exceptional at this as well. Her ability to debate her side and push for what she felt was needed, gave her the building blocks that would make her a terrific negotiator.

His father would be proud when he reported back to him on her progress. With the Council’s permission, he would like to make her a permanent fixture with the continuing discussions with the Cine Tofa. Monroe and the others seemed to respect her, if not necessarily like her, and that was a hard feat to accomplish. He knew that most of them thought he was a bastard, with the exception of Monroe.

Declan was settling into his office he hardly ever visited anymore, ready to complete some overdue reports, when he felt the presence of an angry man come crashing through the door. Declan did not even look up from his desk at his unexpected guest. “Garrett,” he stated quietly, “to what do I owe this pleasure?”

“Oh, I think you know.”

Declan ripped his eyes away from the information he was preparing for the Council, the latest Intel that he had gathered from his various contracts within the Cine Tofa and the results of the always tedious treaty discussions. He sighed. He really did not want to talk to anyone at the moment. “No, Garrett. I really don’t. I am guessing since our paths do not pass all that often that this is about Caitlyn.” He could not imagine that Caitlyn would have told him what almost transpired, but then again, he couldn’t be positive she had not either.

Garrett’s face was stoic as he hissed. “Oh, believe me, it is. What the hell were you thinking, bringing her out into the field already?”

“I was thinking that she was ready for some true interaction with the Cine Tofa. She needs to know the enemy, not just hear stories.”

“What the hell is wrong with you? You are still mentoring her! She has not even taken the Threshold yet!”

Declan stood. He did not like the way Garrett was looking at him. “That is right. I am her mentor. And as I am her mentor now, not you, I’ll decide what is best for her development. As for the Threshold, she is almost ready to the take the test, my version of the test. Not that she couldn’t take it now and pass with flying colors. Hell, you were going to have her take it months ago and she was a quarter as strong as she is now. Once she passes it, you know she would be eligible for any mission that the Trust thinks her fit for. At least I am making her more ready for the real world than you did.”

Garrett banged his fist on Declan’s desk obviously annoyed at the truth of that comment. “All you care about is getting another one of your little soldiers in this fight against the Cine Tofa.”

The tension in the air was thick. Declan was tired of hearing Garrett under estimate Caitlyn. “That is not true. She’s not a fragile flower, Garrett. The sooner you get that through your head, the better. Caitlyn is a lot stronger than you have ever given her credit for. She learns faster than I ever did, ever will. I won’t deny that she will be an incredible asset to the Trust, but I have never once encouraged her, tried to persuade her to get involved beyond what she was comfortable with. She wants to take part. As her mentor, it’s my job to open her to all available options.”

“You would send her to her death if it meant helping your cause.”

Declan was tired of this. Declan stood up, bringing himself to full height, his palms flat, securely on the desk. “I would never hurt Caitlyn. Ever.”

Garrett snorted at that. Declan continued. “Garrett, you need to stop looking at her from the boyfriend perspective. Why do you think that Caitlyn accepted another mentor so readily? It’s true that I could naturally teach her more because of my abilities, but there were underlying reasons beyond that. You did not even try to push her, try to make her think outside the box. Our minds are a puzzle that none of us have even begun to understand. You taught her the definite, ‘You can do this, you can’t do that.’ But somewhere in Caitlyn’s newly transformed brain, she understood that she needed to be pushed, needed to question what was really possible. It’s not that I think I am necessarily stronger or more talented than others, but my mentor taught me to look beyond, don’t let others dictate what I think I am truly capable of. I am giving Caitlyn that gift. You did not want to because you were afraid that by doing so, she would grow beyond your abilities and then you could not protect her. Well, guess what? Caitlyn does not need anyone’s protection.”

His opponent was quiet for a moment. He knew the words he had spoken had stung. “You are giving her a God complex. You are as bad as some people in the Cine Tofa. She thinks she is invincible. She doesn’t realize that she needs to be cautious. I am not opposed to thinking outside the box, Declan, but there is something to be said about proceeding with caution. You have thrown that completely out the window with her.”

Declan knew his lips formed a tight line as they always did when he was upset or in deep thought. He thought that Caitlyn was not taught caution? Caitlyn was always taught caution! She was well aware of the responsibility that came with this life. “Again, you underestimate her. Caitlyn is very vigilant but she is also aware that sometimes things require calculated risks.”

“Caitlyn does not need calculated risks.”

“Caitlyn does not need a lover who is controlling either, but here you are, trying to pull the strings on a puppet that doesn’t need it or want it. I’m sure she would not be pleased that you are here, Garrett. Really, what is your intention here, what is your purpose? Because it seems like right now, you just want to have a pissing contest with someone who you deem to be a rival for her affections.” He decided to get to the heart of the matter. It’s what he suspected Garrett was really here for anyways. Garrett was worried that something was going on between the two of them. Blind fool. Did he not see how dedicated she was to him? He made that last comment hoping to confront Garrett straight on.

Garrett did not disappoint. His nostrils flared and he took a step towards Declan. Declan stepped out of the way keeping his abilities at bay. He did not want a fight. “Rival for her affections? It’s exactly what I thought. You spend more time with Caitlyn than I do. And when I am with her, Caitlyn is constantly talking about you, what a terrific mentor you are, and how amazing your talents are. You have her tucked neatly where you want her, waiting for her to come to your bed. You are a conniving bastard.”

Declan saw the fear that was underlying beneath all that hate that was in his eyes. He could see he was terrified that he would lose her. He immediately felt remorse for going about this the way he did instead of coming straight out and alleviating Garrett’s fears. Garrett was just a man in love. Declan could never fault him for that. Everything regarding his character he had known previously, and from his in depth conversations with Caitlyn, indicated that he was a good man. Declan took a deep breath. “It’s not like that at all. I am not looking for Caitlyn to be in my bed, Garrett. She is a good person, one of the best I have ever come to know. But trust me when I say that she is completely devoted to you. I won’t deny that Caitlyn and I share something special, but it is the natural bond between the mentor and the student. I have to trust her and she needs to trust me. I need to know her inside and out, and she needs to know me the same way in order for this to gain the most benefit. Surely, I would hope that you understand this from your experience with your mentor.”

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.”

Lionel always did have a soft spot for orphans, as he was one himself. “I never knew that.”

“But what is bothering you about Garrett?”

“As Caitlyn’s mentor, I need to spend a lot of time with her. Remember the hours upon hours you spent with me my first couple of years?”

“I saw more of you than your own father did.”

“Exactly! Well, let’s just say that Garrett has not taken kindly to that either and was thinking that there was something more than the mentor-student relationship going on.”

Lionel’s eyebrows rose. “And is there?”

Declan thought about the night before but quickly shook himself out of it, his response aghast. “No! Never! Caitlyn is a very good friend granted; sometimes I think only you, my father, and her get me sometimes, but that is it. Friendship is where it ends.”

“Just making sure. It’s been a while since I have seen you with a girlfriend, ever since Janelle.”

“Yes. And you and I both know that did not work out.” Janelle had definitely not worked out. Janelle and he were polar opposites; at first, that was the attraction. She was carefree and wild, while he was tight and reserved. They balanced each other out, or so they thought, he had even contemplated proposing to her at one point. But it soon became obvious that the differences were too great. Her father was the head of Trust Corporation and a Descendant, but yet she desperately wanted out of the whole Trust/Cine Tofa scene. She wanted nothing to do with the responsibilities of being an Actual; she wanted to live her own life, without the restrictions. She wanted him to come with her, buy a house somewhere, both get jobs, live a normal life forgetting about what they were.

Declan could not make that sacrifice for her. He cared too much for the Trust, he was the Trust. He loved these people and wanted to protect them and the normal humans as much as possible. By leaving and living a normal life, he felt that he was abandoning them and his father. Declan couldn’t do that; wouldn’t do that. Janelle did not understand. Eventually he and Janelle went their separate ways. Sometimes he checked up on her to see how she was doing. She was living in Wisconsin of all places, attending graduate school. Last he had heard, she was dating a normal human.

Lionel interrupted his thoughts. “I know the two of you did not. But if memory serves me correctly, that relationship was over two years ago, Declan. Don’t think that it has escaped your father and I that you have been busier than normal lately, and most of the time it is with Caitlyn. I think we both had figured that maybe there was more to the two of you. When we saw the two of you at your home a few months back, there seemed to be quite a bit of potential. Surely it would not be the first time that the mentor/student relationship bloomed into something more.”

Declan shook his head at the absurdity of that. “Not in this case. As I have told you before, Caitlyn is a prodigy. Her talent is amazing. Not only is she learning at an extremely accelerated rate, but she is smart, strong, and capable. You met her, Lionel. Unquestionably, you could tell the same as I that she was someone who was going to be a tremendous asset to the Trust.”

“Yes… I did see that. Your reports on her progress have been more than impressive. Caitlyn probably has the most potential of any new Actual since yourself, Declan. I understand why you would want to spend so much time mentoring her. But even you realize there is more to life than training and council meetings. I also taught you that there needs to be a balance, Declan. And you are precariously standing on the edge. Certainly there are plenty of women here to provide some distraction. And with all the stress of everything going on, you could use that. If you still plan to ignore what is right in front of you, then find a pretty girl and woo her. Who cares if it is not love? Companionship is nice too.” He winked at him.

Declan rolled his eyes. He could not believe that Lionel was trying to play matchmaker with him and Caitlyn Young. “Well, I was thinking that I might take a few days to myself, get away from all of this. Not saying I want companionship, but a beach with nothing around to distract me sounds nice.”

“That sounds wonderful! Get away; forget about the Trust and all its stresses. Even Trust members need a vacation. Remember a few days away, and the Trust will not fall apart, Declan.”

“I’m sure it won’t.”

With that, Declan hugged his friend and said his goodbyes. He would go away. It would give Garrett the reassurance that he was not after Caitlyn, would let him recharge, and hopefully give him an open mind when he returned to figure out who was giving away Intel. A vacation was just what Declan needed.