Secrets of the Guardian (Waldgrave Book 3) (29 page)

Lena tried to keep herself from shaking. Perhaps Griffin was right; Brandon would have been okay with Alexis for a few days. “I’m here to build alliances. If this meeting fails, the blood is on your hands, not mine.”

Silently, her thoughts came back to one of the final conversations that she had had with her mother; Ava had thought that the living room at Waldgrave was horrible, and she wanted to redecorate it. Lena had to stifle a morbid smile as she had the thought that if she was about to be shot, the living room was the place to do it. Then there would be actual justification for redoing the carpet, walls, and furniture.

Lena pushed past Griffin and walked as confidently as she could to Howard and Rosaleen. Howard got up and pulled her into a hug, smiling very cautiously. It seemed like an eternity before he let her go.
 
What’s his name?

“Brandon.” Lena said quietly, trying to ignore the two men by the stairs, who were still watching her. “Howard, I am so sorry—“

But he only shook his head. 
It’s okay, it’s okay. Now is not the time. He’s beautiful.

She held Brandon out to her uncle and he took him, and Lena turned to hug Rosaleen.

“We’ve been so worried…” She whispered. “It’s so good to have you back. I thought we would never see you again.”

“How’s Darius?” Lena whispered back. “He’s…he’s been okay since…?”

“He’s fine, he’s fine…” Rosaleen finally released her and they sat down on the couch together. The wrinkles on her aging face were showing more than ever as her lip trembled and she grabbed a hold of one of Lena’s hands. “They took him for a short while, but he’s back now. They figured it wasn’t much use since…” She looked away.

Since Griffin had a son now. It was true—Darius probably would have been his heir if not for Brandon, which would have made him a valuable hostage. Darius was unimaginably lucky for the fact that Brandon had come along.

“Hesper’s been worried about you.” Rosaleen continued quietly, casting one brief glance over at Jason Rivera. “You never called. She really thought you would call, and you didn’t. For the longest time she thought you were really gone this time.”

Lena nodded, trying not to choke up. Now, in front of the enemy, was not a time for tears; but all of this, walking into the house, her former home, so freely, and reuniting with her family…it had been predicated. It put them at an advantage to make her go through this. “I didn’t want to involve her. I didn’t want her to have to deal with all of this.”

Howard passed Brandon across Lena and to Rosaleen, who smiled at the baby as he came into her arms. Lena felt Howard rest a hand on her shoulder. 
We have business to attend to.

Lena looked over her shoulder at him and nodded. They got up from the couch.

“You’re sure you’re okay with him?” Lena asked Rosaleen, perhaps more forcefully than she had intended. “I mean, he’ll be okay here?”

Master Astley cleared his throat. “As you’ve said, this is a conference for peace and negotiation. The child will not be harmed during your stay here.”

Lena scrutinized him. “Do you speak for everyone?”

“I do.” Astley bristled. “But if you’d prefer, bring him with you.”

“I would prefer—“

Lena!
 Griffin chided, walking up next to her. 
Let him stay here. They’re feeling for a weakness. A fear. Leave him here with her.

Lena took a deep breath, trying to steady herself. Every part of her was screaming not to leave Brandon alone, even with Rosaleen—desperate people would do anything. She trusted Rosaleen completely, but there were so many cars parked outside…

“He doesn’t need to be present at the negotiations. I trust you’ve made accommodations for us?” Griffin said quickly.

“You have your old rooms.” Howard said. “We’ve arranged everything for Brandon to stay with Lena—“

“She’ll be staying with me.” Griffin interjected. “They both will.”

Lena tried not to twitch as she looked over at him. He was telling
 
her
 not to show weakness? In the silence that ensued, Griffin seemed to realize he had overstepped the bounds of what was expected of him.

He made a quick addendum. “I won’t be taking any unnecessary risks here, Rivera. You tried to kill them once.”

“Are you accusing me of bringing you here on false terms to assassinate you?” Jason said evenly.

“I’m stating a fact that you’ve done it in the past.” Griffin shot back. “There’s no need to bring my son into the conference chambers, but don’t take it as a sign that I trust you.”

“You’re accusing me of foul play, at a conference for peace?!” Jason shouted back.

“Okay!” Lena interjected. “Okay…this is not what we’re here for! Jason, you did try to kill me. Griffin, you let it happen. You’re both equally responsible, so let’s just forget about it, move it upstairs and get the ball rolling.”

Master Astley seemed convinced. He turned and started up the stairs into the library, followed by Lena and Howard. Jason broke the stare down and turned to follow as well. Griffin trailed him, but not before shooting Rosaleen a long, meaningful stare.

They went up to Master Daray’s office, where several chairs had been arranged around one of the side tables. Lena was suddenly very thankful—it was just going to be the five of them, alone, in Daray’s office. There were probably more than fifty people staying at the house at this very moment, and she was only going to have to convince two of them. It was generous beyond expectation, and she had to wonder who was responsible for it.

Master Astley was watching her unusually closely as everyone took a seat. She gave him a slight nod; she saw the corner of his mouth twitch. Of course he had been in contact with his exiled son, and now, probably his granddaughter too.

The office had changed, but only slightly—things had been moved around. Books were out of order, and some things were missing. Lena momentarily wondered if they had discovered the stairwell under the portal cat skeleton, but somehow she didn’t think they had. With all the contraband Master Daray had kept hidden down there, she would have caught wind of it if they knew.

The five of them settled down at the table and proceeded to keep an unnaturally long silence as Griffin and Jason continued the staring contest they had started downstairs.

Master Astley spoke first, looking directly at Lena. “I presume you’ve come with something to say. Say it.”

“I’m here to make reparations.” She said quickly, speaking directly to Master Astley, who was likely her best chance; Jason was probably still too young for anyone to be taking his opinion seriously. He was probably only here as a figurehead—a human shield for whoever was puppeting him to power. She was still worried about where Brandon was. “I made promises to you, and I broke them. I’m here to—“

“Regain our trust with more lies?” Jason spat. “You’ve got nerve if you think we’re going to buy it again. You’re as dangerous as your grandfather was.”

“I assure you, I’m nothing like he was.” Lena said, turning pale.

“He is.” Jason nodded at Griffin. “We’d hoped we were done with Daray’s reign of terror, and now you’ve given him exactly what you promised everyone you would not. You’ve given him a dangerous heir.”

“Oh, I’ve done no such thing!” Lena said loudly. “I never…This was a surprise. None of this was planned, but believe me, Griffin isn’t getting him. I’m not an idiot, Jason.”

Next to her, she felt Griffin shift.
 
What are you doing?

Lena kept her eyes on Jason Rivera. He was so young, and so arrogant. It was hard to believe he had accomplished so much by himself. “We’re not married. Brandon is a Collins. He’s my heir, not Griffin’s!”

Both Master Astley and Jason Rivera seemed confused as their eyes darted back and forth between Griffin and Lena. Howard was sitting quietly, apparently only present because he was the head of the house—Lena was his heir, and there were laws governing the circumstances under which heirs were allowed to speak for themselves.

“He’s my son! You can’t take him from me!” Griffin said through gritted teeth.
 
You can’t do this, Lena! You said you wouldn’t!

“You have a brother, use him.” Lena said carefully, trying to keep the tone in the room congenial. “Thanks to you—both of you—I’m told Brandon is the last. I don’t have a second chance at this, and you can’t strip me and my household of Brandon because he’s the only biological child I’ll ever have.”

The clock, as annoying as ever, ticked on from the bookshelf just behind Howard as people tried to digest what she had said. Master Astley was discretely smiling at her as Griffin continued to fume.

“You’re being serious.” Jason said slowly. He cracked a smile as he looked over at Griffin. “She’s serious. And she can do it. She has my vote if it keeps that child away from you.”

“I’m the father. I have rights—and it doesn’t change a damn thing! He’s still my son, you can’t take that away. You know who he is—the people will follow me!” Griffin said, glaring around. He stood up. 
Lena, we’re going downstairs, we need to talk.

“We are talking.” Lena said. “And I’m sorry, but as I said, he’s mine. I’m claiming him, and that’s non-negotiable. We’re here to make peace and get back on good terms. And I think we’re making progress, so sit down. In your own words, you told me to get it out of my system, and I’m not done yet.”

Griffin remained standing.

“That child is already dangerous.” Jason continued. “I can’t even imagine what he’d be like with him as a mentor. I want sanctions—I don’t intend to leave today without ensuring the two of them are separated. I’m not sure if I even trust you anymore, Collins. It might be best if the child is removed from—“

“No. He’s mine, and he stays with me. I don’t care what you have to do or what I have to do to make that happen. I agree with you. I’ve done almost everything in my power to prevent this from happening, and my family continues to be a point of controversy. We’re dangerous, and I can see that now. Something has to be done for our safety and everyone else’s. Reinstate my restrictions and give Brandon the same. And Griffin is right, he does have rights. I have no intention of denying him access to his son.” Lena said.

Master Astley was looking impressed.

“What access does he need?” Jason sneered. “He’s Old Faith! None of them raise their own children!”

“And you do?!” Griffin shouted. “Get off your high horse, Rivera! You hardly knew your parents growing up!”

“The only reason you would want access to that child is to pollute his mind with delusions of grandeur, Corbett! We all know it!” Now Jason was standing, too. “You would be off on your quest again, trying to find it to bring the two together! I will not allow you anywhere near the boy!”

“I am
 
not
 Old Faith, and I demand that he is allowed access to his son!” Lena said forcefully. “I’m not asking for special treatment, Jason, I’m asking for the opposite! I’m asking that you treat this baby as you would any other—if it becomes a problem, believe me that I will ask that the situation be remedied. I’m here to fix this problem. Brandon isn’t special. The portal is gone, and it will never be found. I maintain that it will never be found or opened. Never. You have my word, so please, we’re here to prove that to you. I want equilibrium restored. Whatever I have to do to lead as normal a life as possible with my son, I will do it. Please, I’m here to beg for his life, because I know we’re hanging in the balance now. Please. No tricks. I just want my son’s life.” She glared at Griffin. 
Sit down!

But Griffin continued to stand.

“How can you be so sure it will never be found? How do you propose to prove such a thing? You can’t expect to be able to, and you can’t expect I will treat you like every other family because you’re not.” Jason said.

“He’s right. Expecting treatment of that nature is unfounded—you’ve proven you can’t be trusted.” Master Astley jumped in. “There is too much at stake here to make the mistake of trusting you when we shouldn’t.”

“Perhaps not, but you must realize we have similar goals. We all want the killing to stop. War isn’t good for anyone.” Lena said.

“As long as his types keep human-borns out of the Council, then I don’t see it stopping.” Jason nodded at Griffin. “He’ll vote them all down.”

“He won’t. I won’t.” Lena said softly.

I will.
 Griffin said. 
They don’t deserve—

“And as a gesture of good faith, and in celebration of the birth of our son, we’ll give Waldgrave to them.” Lena’s voice became slightly tremulous toward the end of this statement, but it had the desired effect. “Until Rollin, they were very good friends of mine and I want them back. I want to make peace with them because we’ve stood on opposite sides of the fence long enough—we’ll give them Waldgrave, and they can control the yearly Council arrangements. There are a lot of people out there, who were forced out of their homes when all of this started. They need a place to stay, and as long as they keep the peace, they can stay here.”

“What?” Master Astley was watching her with great intrigue. He glanced over at Howard, and then looked at Griffin. “You will?”