Page 31 of Custodian

Not even five seconds later, Garrett and his wife walked through the parted masses, a group of five robed and hooded figures at their sides. Seven paladins also followed closely behind, being the bound knights in the couple’s Orders. They both had their trademark welcoming smiles and seemed to be in good spirits with no hint of worry. However, the fact they had no less than a dozen trained warriors with them, told a different story.

Murmuring increased as the crowd no doubt noticed the same thing. It was not normal to see so many paladins accompanying the council members. It was even less common to see them all heavily armed. The sight of five sickles and seven scythes, so blatantly displayed had Darius itching to reach under his shirt and draw his own weapon. But he knew that would be asking for trouble.Well, more trouble, he amended. At Max’s insistence, they were there to talk – not fight. He only hoped it stayed that way.

The five sinister cloaked figures were clearly news to Ivy. She was shocked enough to lose her steadfast composure, her mouth opening and brow furrowing with concern. She turned looked at Lark who promptly queried;

“Max …?”

“He’s okay. Pissed,”Max clarified,“but okay. They all are.”

Darius knew without being told that Max was referring to Nikolai and Ivy’s Ranger Unit. He knew Ivy and the Commander of the Rangers were close and her immediate concern for her friend made him appreciate the reserved woman even more. Darius saw the subtle look Lark quickly gave Ivy. It was such a small change in expression but Ivy clearly understood it because she immediately resumed her stoic, relaxed posture. It just went to show how quickly the two had become a unit.

He knew many people would think the two were an odd couple with no hope of making it long-term. But Darius had no such reservations. He thought the two were perfect for each other and he was happy his fellow paladin had found love with Ivy. It seemed to be catching, now that he thought about it, and wondered if Max was some kind of love pied piper. More than half of them were now blissfully in love, with only Beyden and Axel still single. He really hoped his friends would join them in the relationship ranks very soon. But first, Darius reminded himself, they had to deal with a traitorous villain.

“Well, it’s quite the turn-out. Welcome. I see a lot of familiar but not-often-seen faces here today. The IDC is grateful you could all make it,” Garrett began, as soon as he took his seat.

His easy words caused the room to relax a little. Wardens took their seats and paladins found places to lean casually against walls or chairs close to their lieges. Darius was grateful to a certain extent – they needed calm and rational minds to prevail. But he was also worried because it was clear the entire room – with the exception of a handful of individuals – trusted Garrett and took their cues from him. He knew the others were thinking the same thing and despite the need to remain professional, Ryker filled the two-inch space between himself and Max, placing a hand on her shoulder. Darius couldn’t blame his Captain; he wanted to snatch their liege up and make a run for it too. He also wanted to get a good hold on Diana and have her stay close to his side.

The feelings of protectiveness, loyalty, and love he felt for both his woman and his liege, hadn’t yet proven to be an issue within the Order or to his duties. The dual loyalties still played on his mind. It was hard to let go of a thousand years of thinking. His ideas and values surrounding his duties as a paladin were somewhat old-fashioned. But he felt like they had all managed to find a functional compromise. As such, his anal-retentive tendencies were satisfied. Still, he didn’t touch Diana like he yearned to. Max clearly had no such reservations because she easily placed her hand over Ryker’s, linking their fingers and bringing their hands down by her side.

She smiled at him, her love and devotion plain to see to all who bothered to look. And a lot of people bothered if the whispers were any indication. Committed relationships between a liege and their paladin were still strictly taboo within the general populace. The IDC had gasped and exclaimed about it at first but had then adopted a ‘don’t ask, don’t tell’ policy where Max was concerned. The same had also been the case with Max binding them all and their very odd sleeve-length heraldries.

Too easy,he thought, shaking his head. Lark had been right; it had all been too easy. And now they knew why. Garrett had an ulterior motive, a secret agenda for keeping Max happy and close. The thought had his guts twisting. As did the warm look Garrett threw Max right at that moment.

“A member of the council has requested this emergency meeting today. And as it was seconded by another member,” he tipped his head in Mordecai’s direction, “we are all more than willing to interrupt our busy schedules to be here.”

Darius gritted his teeth; had the man always been so passive aggressive? Had he and the others been oblivious? Or was Garrett’s mocking attitude new? How could they have been so blind, so stupid?

“Stop it, Darius. He fooled all of us,”Max’s reproach was soft but firm.“I mean, fuck! I can see into someone’s soul and I didn’t have an inkling.”

“That’s because you didn’t look – didn’t know to look,”Cali pointed out.“None of us did. Why would we suspect the man who has been running our society for a thousand years?”

The question was rhetorical on Cali’s part, but Darius still felt the self-flagellation throughout the Order link. They all felt guilty about their ignorance and likely would until the day they died. Who knew how much damage this one man had done to their species?

“Let’s find out, shall we?”Max asked, a second before she stood and narrowed her oceanic eyes on the man in question.

“Subtle, Max. Tread carefully, remember?”Darius quickly reminded his liege before she could open her mouth.

“Chill, Dare. I got this,”Max assured him, and he barely managed to suppress his groan.

Max cocked her head to one side, “Garrett, how long have you been plotting to destroy your own species and therefore, the whole world?”

Darius simply let his chin drop to his chest as the whole room erupted.

FOURTEEN

The noise that followed had Max’s ears twitching in annoyance but she only had eyes for Garrett and his wife. They both wore placid looks of congeniality but now that Max knew what to look for, she could see the devils buried beneath.

“Max, what are you talking about? You’ve had some strange ideas in the past, but this is just ridiculous,” Garrett responded, looking perplexed with the perfect amount of concern.

Taking a deep breath, she stood up, effectively silencing the room, “I’m sorry to everyone for what you are about to hear and witness. I wish you didn’t have to. I wish you were not all victims of the lies and betrayals of people you hold in high esteem. But I’ve come to you all today, asking you to listen and to look, and reallyseewhat’s been going on beneath the surface for years. Garrett and Autumn are not what they seem. They have been conspiring against their people and their domains, and are the reason why so many of you are going missing or becoming chades.”

Chaos erupted again and this time caustic comments and threats were hurled her way. She felt her knights move closer but she wasn’t worried. She knew this wouldn’t be a scene of violence. No, the final battle was yet to come.

“Silence!” Blu’s voice boomed out, immediately rendering the room mute. His clear blue eyes pinned her in place and he shook his head, “Max, what are you talking about? You know I’ve always supported you. But this …?”

Max felt her nerves returning over Blu’s lack of faith. He had been a very good friend to her and a staunch supporter. She hated to hurt him. “Blu, look around you, so many wardens and paladins, new and old. Why has Garrett asked them all to come here? Why now? Think; when was the last time so many Orders were in the same place? And by whose command?”

Blu frowned, as did Cinder, Ares, and Ravyn, but Max couldn’t tell if it was in thought or because they were all pissed off.

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