Secrets of the Guardian (Waldgrave Book 3) by A.L. Tyler

for me to be out?”   
    “It was just a thought.” He paused. “You’ve got to call at a decent hour next time. This is ridiculous.”
    She heard blankets ruffling in the background. He must have laid back down on the bed; and he wanted there to be a “next time.”
    “Well, your life must be boring lately if you’re that excited about it,” he mumbled.
    “You have no idea, Griffin. It hasn’t been boring at all. Maybe you should come out and go with us if you’re so worried—I might be doing something that would interest you.” She hoped he would take it. She was worried about him, and it might have done him some good to find out that all of Pyrallis’s lies might not have been lies, or at least that there may have been some truth.
    “Us?”
    “I’m out here with Devin and Cheryl. You didn’t get the memo?”
    “Devin?” She heard the sudden interest in his voice and her heart dropped.
    “Not like that, Griffin.” She explained quickly. “It’s not like that at all. We’re close, but it’s not—“
    Griffin’s tone was exasperated. “Congratulations on his survival, then. I didn’t think he was going to make it, but apparently the both of you are doing well. Good for you. I think I’ll sit this one out.”
    “But Griffin,” she pleaded, “You can’t be doing much out there in California. Come out and see me.”
    “I’m busier than you think.”

Lena felt the frustration rising in her throat. He always had to be so difficult—their first conversation in more than a month, and he had to be moody. “Well what the hell are you doing, then?! The whole Council’s about to become a bloodbath, and you’re off in California, being busy doing what, Griffin?!”
    She heard him sigh. “I’m—“
    A distant woman’s voice cut into Lena’s ear from across the line. “Griffin? Are you awake?”
    Lena froze. She couldn’t believe what she had just heard—she had heard it, hadn’t she? She heard Griffin cover the phone, and she thought she heard a door open. Her throat had gone dry and her voice had left her, and as such, she hung up the phone. She felt her face burning red, though she didn’t know why. She turned back to Devin.
    He gave her a surprised and concerned look. “What’s wrong?”
    “Nothing,” she muttered, “It’s nothing. He said it was just a thought, that’s all. His opinion on the politics of the matter, and nothing else.”
    Devin gave her a long look before pulling her into a hug. She felt the tears coming, but managed to hold them back. Devin took her back into the hotel room and tucked her in next to Cheryl; she was still there, lying awake, long after Devin had fallen asleep.
     
     
     
    *****
     
     

     
    “Yeah, we’ll have two number threes and a number…six.”
    The next day went by much smoother than Lena had anticipated. She was wearing the same jeans as she had the day before just because she could; these were the first casual moments in her life in a long time, and the last for who knew how long. And despite Devin’s minor stomach upsets, it was still fast food all the way. They were making good time, and decided to actually stop for lunch. They pulled into a shady parking spot outside the restaurant to eat.
    “So, what exactly did he say?” Cheryl asked through a mouthful of fries.
    “Nothing. I think he was just weighing in his vote late.” Lena said hollowly. She saw Devin turn a sympathetic look her way, but refused to look back at him.
    Cheryl didn’t notice, and continued in her clear and perceptive tone. “You know, he’s been awfully quiet lately. Are you sure he’s not up to something?”
    Lena put her fried chicken burger down and sighed. As sad as it was, she wished he was up to something. “He’s not up to anything. He’s just out there screwing around in his parent’s house.”
    “Alone?” Cheryl questioned, “You know he can’t take care of himself. He’s like a child…can’t make his own toast or fold a shirt or