Page 4 of Guardian

3

Logan could hear the giggling of the children as he approached the great room. Life in the Stealth Guardian compound in Baltimore had changed dramatically two and a half years earlier, when Leila, Aiden’s mate, had given birth to twins.

At first, everybody had thought that Aiden would retire from his duties as warrior, and the couple would move out of the compound and into their own secure residence. But Aiden and Leila had surprised everybody by staying. They wanted their children to grow up among the warriors of their race, teaching them from an early age what it meant to be a protector of mankind.

Besides, there was strength in numbers. The compound was still one of the safest places for any Stealth Guardian. Particularly Stealth Guardian children, who were more vulnerable than their immortal parents and needed to be protected to assure the continuation of their race. Danger was everywhere—because the demons were everywhere. Over the past two years, the demons had killed a number of Stealth Guardians, though fortunately they hadn’t been able to find and destroy another compound, as they’d done in Scotland several years earlier. That compound, which had belonged to their ruling body, the Council of Nine, had been relocated to another secure location.

Logan hesitated at the door to the kitchen and great room. He had nothing against children, but the twins were a handful. He missed the peace and quiet the compound had afforded him and his brethren before their arrival. But he would never voice that thought to Aiden, knowing that to his old friend the birth of his twins meant more than just becoming a father—it meant that he was finally getting over the death of his own twin, Julia.

Logan opened the door and stepped into the room. The smell of food wafted toward him, while laughter alerted him to the twins’ whereabouts. To his surprise they weren’t running around the vast room with their parents chasing after them. Leila and Aiden were sitting at the kitchen island, enjoying a leisurely breakfast. The reason for the rather civilized scene in the great room was a visitor: the children’s grandfather, Barclay, known to everybody else as Primus, the head of the Council of Nine.

“Morning,” Logan said.

“Hey, Logan,” Aiden replied, while Leila said, “There’s an omelet in the oven if you want it.”

“Thanks, Leila.”

Then he looked over to Barclay, who was now getting up from the couch where the twins had been using him as a jungle gym. “Primus, guess you can’t stay away, huh? Didn’t those two monsters visit you just three days ago?”

Barclay grabbed both kids, tucked one under each of his arms, and walked toward Logan. “As much as I love these two, I didn’t come to see them. Though I must admit, I relish every opportunity that presents itself to spend time with them.”

“They adore you,” Aiden threw in. “Leila and I wouldn’t mind if you took them with you for a couple of days.” He winked at his wife, who smiled in agreement.

Barclay chuckled. “Nice try, but I’m not a young man anymore. I don’t have the kind of energy it takes to run after Xander and Julia all day long. Neither does your mother. So thanks for the offer, but no thanks.”

Aiden exchanged a look with Leila and shrugged. “I tried.”

Barclay dropped the two kids back on their feet. Xander immediately ran toward Logan. Logan lifted him up into his arms and ruffled his black mane. He’d never seen a kid with such thick hair, except for the boy’s sister, whose hair was just as thick and only a fraction longer. “Hey, buddy.” Then he looked back at Barclay. “So what brings you to us?”

“I have an assignment for you and Manus. A very delicate one.”

Logan lifted an eyebrow. In most cases, assignments were delivered electronically to the command center, then handed to the warrior who was either best suited for the specific task, or, as in many cases, didn’t already have too many other missions on his plate.

“Shall we go to the command center?” Barclay suggested.

Logan nodded and handed Xander over to his mother.

While they walked along the corridors of the vast building, Barclay was silent. Logan wasn’t one to press his superior for information, especially when said superior was clearly not ready to talk, and therefore walked in silence too.

Only two people were in the command center. Pearce sat in front of the computer console, where he monitored several large screens, one with data rapidly scrolling across the black surface like raindrops, another one showing images from several cameras, and a third one with various open windows for emails and other messaging applications.

Manus was sitting at a desk nearby, leafing through a stack of folders. Both looked over their shoulder when the door opened, a casual greeting on their lips. But the moment they spotted Barclay entering with Logan, they turned around fully and sat up straighter in their chairs. A sign of respect for the older statesman.

“Primus,” both said.

“Pearce, Manus, good to see you.” Barclay nodded at Pearce. “Would you give us the room please, Pearce?”

Surprised at the request, Pearce stood up. “Uh, sure.” He pointed to the door. “I’ll be right outside then.”

“There’s breakfast waiting in the kitchen. Why don’t you take a break?” Barclay suggested.

“As you wish,” Pearce said tightly, clearly a bit miffed about being expelled from his domain. After all, he was the resident geek, in charge of electronic communication and security devices.

“Thank you,” Barclay said, turning to watch Pearce leave and close the door behind him.

During this short unguarded moment, Manus mouthed a silent question to Logan. But Logan could only shrug. He didn’t know why Barclay was being so secretive. In general, assignments were discussed openly between compound mates. There was no need for secrecy among them. After all, they were all working toward the same goal: destroying the Demons of Fear, their mortal enemies, and saving humankind from their destructive influence.

“I’m sure you’re wondering what this is about,” Barclay started, his look bouncing between Manus and Logan.