The Guardians (MORE Trilogy) by T.M. Franklin

tipped his head to brush his lips over her ear.
    “For the Council?”
    He snorted. “No.”
    “The Guardians, then?”
    “What’s with the third degree?” he snapped. At her shocked expression, he blinked and shook his head slowly. “Wow. I’m sorry. I don’t know where that came from,” he said. “It’s just been a long couple of days. I missed you.”
    “I missed you, too.” Ava tried to relax, to enjoy Caleb’s warmth, his touch, but a twinge of uneasiness nagged at her. “Are you okay?” she asked.
    The strangest thing happened. Caleb smiled, assured her he was fine, apologized again, and leaned in to kiss her. And in that moment, Ava knew he was lying. It was as if he’d put on a mask—one that most people might not be able to see through, but one she could tell was a façade. A Veil atop his Veil.
    “Come on,” he said, taking her hand and pulling her along. “Let’s go to my place and order some pizza or something. I’m starving.”
    Ava warred with herself, wondering if she should challenge him further. He was keeping something from her, but she could also tell that he was tired. She knew fulfilling his duties as a Protector while helping out the Guardians put a lot of pressure on him, so it was possible that was it. Maybe he was trying to put on a brave face so she wouldn’t worry. It would be so like Caleb to try not to be a burden, out of a misguided notion of chivalry.
    She opted for a gentler approach, squeezing his hand. “You know you can talk to me about things, right?” she asked quietly. “I mean, if something’s bothering you, I’d want to help.”
    He lifted her hand to his lips and kissed it gently. “I know,” he said. “And really, I’m fine. I just want to curl up on the couch with you, eat some greasy food, and maybe watch a horrible reality TV show and veg out, okay?”
    Ava watched him carefully, still unconvinced, but she smiled and nodded anyway. “Okay, that sounds good.”  
    He grinned and they walked the rest of the way in silence, Ava’s instincts protesting the whole way.

    It was late when a sound roused Ava from where she’d been drowsing, leaning against Caleb on his living room sofa. Actually, she realized it wasn’t a sound, but a feeling , a tingling of her awareness. Caleb stiffened, shifting under her cheek, and she sat up and rubbed the sleep from her eyes.
    “What is it?” he asked.
    She held up a finger, reaching out with her Race senses.  
    There’s someone . . . just on the edge. No, coming closer.
    “Can’t you feel it?” Ava stood abruptly and walked to the window, peering through the curtains. “Someone’s coming.”
    “Are you sure? I don’t—” Caleb froze. “I feel him now.”
    “Who do you think it is?”  
    A knock sounded at the door, and Caleb got up from the sofa, rubbing a hand over his face. “I think we’re about to find out.”
    Ava moved to his side, and instinctively, Caleb positioned himself in front of her before opening the door. Tiernan stood on the other side, his face grim and stance intimidating.
    “Tiernan?” Caleb stepped back to allow him to enter. Instead of coming inside, however, he moved forward, effectively blocking the doorway with his hulking frame. “Is something wrong?” Caleb asked.
    “You’re wanted before the Council.”
    “What? Why?” Ava asked, her instincts on high alert. “I haven’t done anything!”
    “Not you,” Tiernan said gruffly. “Him.”
    “I don’t understand,” she babbled, her gift rising in an impulse to protect. Something was wrong. Very wrong. “It’s the middle of the night. Can’t this wait until tomorrow?”
    “I’m afraid not.” Tiernan crossed his beefy arms over his chest. “Come on, Caleb. Let’s go.”
    Caleb took a step backward. “What is this all about?”
    “You know they don’t give me that information. I’m just following—”
    “They don’t tell you everything. But you know something .” Caleb’s jaw twitched as