Lover Uncloaked (Stealth Guardians #1) - By Unknown Page 0,92
his post at the door so the two could work unobserved.
The knowledge that he had violated the rules of the council by giving away how the members had voted, made him feel uneasy; but, as his son had insisted, it was the only way.
He glanced at Cinead, his gut clenching at the thought that he could be a traitor. The Scotsman was his oldest friend, his opinions valued by all, his character beyond reproach. As he looked into the round, the thought of any of the others turning out to be a traitor didn’t suit him any better. All members of the council were honorable men and women, chosen because they were just leaders.
Yet, Barclay trusted his son, although something about him had been different when he’d visited. He appeared less angry than usual, despite the seriousness of the issues at hand. Almost as if something or someone had a calming influence on him.
“I’ve called this special meeting to update you on the case of Dr. Cruickshank.”
Murmurs went through the room. It was rather unusual to discuss individual cases once a vote had been taken and the charge assigned to a Stealth Guardian. He would have to be careful not to raise any suspicion as to his true agenda: to set a trap for the traitor.
“There have been some setbacks. I’m afraid after an attack on their safe house, Aiden and his charge had to flee.”
“Are they unharmed?” Riona asked.
“For now, yes. However, I am surprised at Aiden’s decision of how to go forward.”
Cinead raised an eyebrow. “Your own son’s? Weren’t you the one to convince us that he was up for the job?”
Barclay bowed his head. “I don’t always agree with his ideas. However, there might be some merit to his decision. He’s taken her back to their last hiding place, figuring it will be where the demons won’t look for him again.” Cautiously, he glanced around, searching for tell tale signs in the eyes of his fellow council members. Would somebody take the bait?
“That is against protocol,” Geoffrey piped. “Once a safe house is compromised, it will never be used again.”
Barclay raised his hand to pacify his old friend. “I understand, however, Aiden has gone to radio silence, and since he selected his last safe houses anonymously, I have no way of contacting him. We’re in the dark.”
“What about Manus, his second?” Finlay asked. “He would know where the safe house is.”
“I’m afraid I’ve already checked into this avenue. Aiden cut off contact with Manus before claiming the safe house. Manus never knew where Aiden had taken her,” Barclay lied.
“That’s highly irregular,” Finlay said. “Are you sure your son hasn’t gone rogue like his friend Hamish? What if he’s kidnapped his charge and is now using her as a pawn?”
Barclay felt anger about Finlay’s accusation boil up in him. “My son is doing what’s best for all of us.”
“Primus, your son is putting us in danger,” Deirdre snapped. “Without his second and any support from us, how does he expect to defeat any demons when they attack?”
“They won’t find him. By using his previous hiding place, he’s outsmarting them. They’ll never go back to where they’ve already found him earlier.”
Wade rose from his seat. “I agree with Deirdre. I think Aiden should be pulled off this assignment. We can’t risk his erratic behavior endangering us all.”
Barclay glared at Wade. “Aiden will remain on this assignment. I might not always see eye to eye with my son, but he is a capable Stealth Guardian and can protect his charge without our help.”
“You’re making a huge mistake.” Deirdre rose and glared at him. “Have you forgotten what can happen when our guardians don’t comply with rules?”
“What are you implying?” Barclay ground out. “Are you questioning Aiden’s abilities?”
“What if I am?” She thrust her chin up in open challenge. “Has he not cost us dearly once before?”
Barclay gasped, shocked at what she was hinting. “You’d better let the past remain where it belongs, Deirdre.”
“You know as well as I do that I can’t do that. I was Julia’s godmother, I loved her like a daughter. I—”
Barclay shot from his seat. “No further! I’m warning you!”
“You shouldn’t be warning me, you should be warning your son. He’s putting us all in danger. He’s being irrational just as he was then,” Deirdre continued from between clenched teeth.
“My son is a fine guardian—”
“Yet you have no influence over him,” Finlay suddenly interjected, “just like you can’t control anything else, not even as Primus. Sad,