Awakening Book One of the Trust Series

chapter 28



Declan pinched his nose as he stared at his father. He would be lying if he did not acknowledge that the past two weeks had taken its toll on him. The amount of information that had been compromised spanned wider and deeper than the Trust had even feared.

Every password, every system had to be reset and reconfigured. It was a daunting task and Caleb, Michael, and the other specialists were sleeping two hours a night, trying to make everything secure. Declan was sure that Lionel was off somewhere far, grinning knowing that they were running around like chickens with their heads cut off. He took a deep breath, trying to sooth the recent wounds of betrayal.

His father stood up silently and poured himself a glass of water. He looked from behind his shoulder at his son. “Would you like some?” He asked, lifting a glass.

Declan just shook his head no. Jonathan then moved back to the table, sitting down. “You look exhausted, Declan.”

“Dad, none of us have slept much in the past two weeks.”

“Yes, but you look particularly worn.”

He rolled his eyes lightly at his father. “You did not have me come here for a chat about me did you? What’s up, Dad?”

“Always to the point lately, aren’t you? Two things. The first is regarding Garrett Stevens-”

“Garrett Livingston.” Declan interjected.

His father was perturbed by his interruption. “As I said, Garrett Stevens is going to be released tomorrow. I thought you may want to let Caitlyn know.”

Declan did not welcome the news although he knew it was coming. As it was, he had not even seen Caitlyn in the past two weeks, instead sending Andrea to train with her for healing. She reported that while Caitlyn was exceptional and could potentially be a decent healer, she was distracted. Declan knew that he was at least partially responsible for that. In truth, he wanted to reach out to her and talk with her, but he had not had a free moment to spare. At least, that is what he told himself. Perhaps he had put off their conversation a bit too long. Garrett returning would complicate things. Declan would need to see her tonight. They had to sort some things out before he came walking back into her life.

His father smirked at his son as Declan realized he had caught him lost in his thoughts. “And what is the second thing?”

“The Tribunal has made a decision.”

His head shot straight up, looking his father square in the eye. Declan did not need him to clarify what decision. The Trust had been debating on what actions to take, if any, regarding this treason.

“And what is the decision?”

Jonathan took a sip from his water. “The decision will be declared tonight in a closed joint session with the Councils and the Tribunal.”

There was a pronounced sadness that hung in the air from the last syllables his father spoke. There had only been two other times when there was a joint closed session. This was not a good sign. “Declan, we would like you there. We are inviting several others to the session as well.”

Declan’s eyes shot up. Allowing non-council Actuals in the session was unheard of. “Excuse me?”

“You are going to be given specific directions this evening, which you will follow to the exact letter over the next several weeks under a complete shroud of secrecy. Is that understood?”

“Yes, sir.”

“The meeting will take place in two hours’ time, just enough time for the delegates of the foreign Council and the Tribunal members to get here. I expect that during that time you will pack. Pack lightly, but smartly. You will be leaving as soon as the orders are completed.”

“What about Caitlyn?”

“What about her?” His father’s voice held surprise.

Declan sighed. That was a question he really had not meant to have voiced out loud. He pushed down his thoughts and replied, “Well, what about her training? It’s almost complete. I’ve barely spoken to her at all.”

“We are making other arrangements.”

“Such as?”

Declan knew the answer before his father said it. He had just hoped he was wrong. “Since Garrett is returning tomorrow… well, you and Councilman Riley wanted him to try and teach her projectile telepathy. Now is as good a time as any. Unless you have objections?”

Jonathan eyed him as he emptied his glass. Declan had a lot of different objections. He still felt that Garrett should not be trusted, no matter how much faith the Tribunal gave him. He felt that after seeing Caitlyn and how hurt she was by the betrayal, she should not be subjected to him. But most of all, he simply did not want the rival for her affections anywhere near her, even if Garrett may have had her first. But those were not valid reasons in his father’s eyes. “No objections.”

He nodded. “Good. It will be of the most benefit to Caitlyn while you are away. I will make arrangements and will make sure that Garrett is debriefed. I suggest that you begin to get ready.”

Declan’s mouth dried up. He stood to leave, knowing his father was done. He needed to speak with Caitlyn at some point this evening, even if it was just for a few moments.

Four hours later, Declan emerged from the Tribunal meeting with a heavy heart and a sense of foreboding. In a span of two hours, the world can change dramatically, the perspective of what needs to be a priority can alter significantly. Declan’s first order of business per the Tribunal was to go to North Dakota. Instead, he found himself transporting outside Caitlyn’s door.

Declan stared at the shut door, alone, trying to sort out the feelings he had been holding at bay for the past two weeks for Caitlyn. And now, when any rational man would be fighting for her attentions, he was practically sending her into the arms of his rival. He could do this. He needed to do this. Declan reached out to Caitlyn in his head. “Are you available? I need to talk.”

Caitlyn’s response came quickly. “Yes. I am at my apartment.”

Declan closed his eyes for a brief moment and transported inside. Caitlyn was sitting on her couch, legs criss-crossed, with a magazine in hand, skimming through the pages. Her hair was pulled up into a messy bun, looking comfortable in sweats and a tee-shirt. Declan thought that she was breath taking. She stood when she saw him.

Declan strode over and wrapped his arms around her, holding her tightly. He was glad when she returned his embrace. He allowed himself just to stand there for a minute, enjoying the moment before it faded. He whispered into her hair, “I’ve missed you.”

“I’ve missed you too. But where the hell have you been? You practically disappeared without a trace. I know the past couple of weeks have been crazy, but seriously? You can teleport! Don’t tell me you could not have stopped by for even an hour, a minute, a second for God’s sake.”

He pulled away from her. She was right of course. He should have stopped by, talked about what had occurred between the both of them. Instead, he hid behind the pretense of being so incredibly busy that he did not have time. Declan corrected himself. He was busy, busier than any sane person should have been, but it still did not mean that he could not have stopped in. “I didn’t know what to say.”

“You didn’t know what to say? Really? Is that all you’ve got?”

“What do you want me to do?”

Caitlyn tugged at her hair frustratingly. “How about talk about what passed between us? You sound as if you suddenly regret it.”

“I don’t regret it. In fact, very far from it.” He took a step closer to her, wanting to stay near her.

“Well then, if not that, then what?”

He looked sharply into her eyes. “There just hasn’t been time to process what happened.” Declan lied. Truth was, the kiss invaded every other waking thought he had. He motioned for both of them to sit down on the couch and Declan stared at the discarded magazine that now lay on the floor. He grabbed her hands. “The kiss was amazing. But there isn’t…” he trailed off.

“There isn’t what?” Her eyes darkened and then became embarrassed. “Did you not think there was a spark between us?”

He couldn’t help but smirk at the comment. He leaned in, his lips now pressed very close to her ear, and heard her catch her breath. “Caitlyn,” he murmured affectionately. “There was most definitely a spark.”

He pulled his lips away from her ear and cupped her small face in both of his hands, staring into her depths, his lips only a few inches from where they wanted to be. He felt the heat of her breath; saw the longing in her eyes, and the anticipation that waited on that mouth. All he had to do was lean in, show her exactly how much he wanted her, and confirm that she wanted him in the same way.

It would be so easy. Just Caitlyn and Declan, together. But life, in reality, was never that easy. Declan now had a major responsibility placed on him, and it was something he did not take lightly. Four hours ago, he was going to fight for her. Four hours ago, he was going ask her to think long and hard about whom she really wanted. And now, he couldn’t. It wasn’t fair to ask Caitlyn to choose him when he wouldn’t even be around. She deserved to be loved the way she should be.

He closed his eyes, cursing for the first time his life. He couldn’t hide the sorrow in his voice. “There isn’t time.”

“There is not time for what?”

He pulled himself away from her. The moment was gone. “For me. For us. For me to fight for you.”

Her head cocked slightly as it often did when she did not like hearing what Declan was telling her. “You are talking in circles.”

“Caitlyn, you still care for Garrett, don’t you? There is no way that because of one… indiscretion, every feeling that you have for him simply went away.”

The answer that he was met with was silence. Declan had wished that her answer would have been an emphatic no, but he was not naïve enough to think that. His words were quiet. “See? You still have unresolved feelings for him that you need time to work out. There is a lot that needs to be said between the both of you. For what it is worth, Caitlyn, I understand. Besides, you are probably better off with him.” Another lie Declan tried to convince himself was the truth.

“Is that so?”

“Caitlyn… life has gotten complex to say the least over the past few weeks for me. The Trust has me running around, trying to resolve endless issues that have arisen. And now… well, things are coming to a head. I can’t go into many details, but I’ve been ordered away, on business for an extended period of time.”

“Ordered away? Doing what exactly?”

“You will hear about it soon enough. It’s unavoidable. Let’s just say that these are going to be some trying times, and my focus needs to be on the Trust right now. It needs to be on our people.”

“I can help, Declan.”

He smiled. “And you will. But right now, you need to finish your mentoring.”

“You are going to be away.”

Declan turned his face away from her. “Arrangements have been made for a temporary mentor to take over.”

“No! I won’t do another mentor. Declan, I’m finished. I can already do more than the vast majority of the Actuals in the Trust. Just let me take the Threshold. I’m ready.”

“You are ready, but I’m being selfish. If I let you take the Threshold now, I will miss it. And your Threshold is going to be special, Caitlyn. As your mentor, as your friend, as your…” he stopped. He was not that and did not think he would ever have the opportunity to be that. “Well, I am just asking that you give me the opportunity to be part of it. Besides, with any luck, I will return in a few weeks for a little bit to arrange your testing.”

“I am not going to get you to change your mind, am I?”

He knew that she was not just referring to the training. “No. If there was a way around this, I would in a heartbeat. I hope you will understand once you find out what is happening.”

She dropped her head in resignation, staring at the wooden floor. Finally, she leaned over and gave him a hug before turning his face to hers. Her lips ghosted Declan’s for the briefest of moments, her eyes never leaving his. A promise of what could have been. The Descendant could barely hear her response. “Alright. Then tell me who the name of this new mentor is.”

“The Tribunal has decided to let Garrett resume mentoring you.”

Caitlyn froze. “Garrett?”

He rubbed her arms. “He’s being released tomorrow. They want him to try to teach you projectile telepathy. Is that something you think you can handle? If not, I can make other arrangements.”

“No, don’t make other arrangements. You are right. I need to talk to him about us, about his lies, about his beliefs. This will give me the opportunity for some closure or understanding.”

Declan checked the clock. There really was no time. “I hope you get that. Caitlyn, I need to go.”

“Now? Already?”

He nodded. “The Tribunal… well, let’s just say I wasn’t supposed to be coming here in the first place tonight. But I couldn’t leave… not without seeing you first.”

“I wish things were different.”

He tilted up her chin. “You understand though, right?” If anyone would understand, he thought it would be her.

She nodded ever so slightly. “I do. Whatever is going on is obviously important. There are some things that are just larger than we are.”

He took a deep breath. Caitlyn, from the first moment he met her was simply a remarkable person. “Thank you.”

Before his resolve broke, he transported out of the apartment, ready finally to follow the Tribunal’s orders.