The Guardians (MORE Trilogy) Read Online Free

keep up,” Petrov snapped. “Your assignment is there at Allenmore. Review the brief, and we’ll be in touch.”
    The call disconnected, and Tiernan’s phone pinged with the arrival of a new e-mail. He thumbed at the screen, waiting for the decryption protocols, and opened the file sent by the Council. He flipped through the pages, eyes widening with confusion and downright shock when he read the information within.
    What in the . . .
    His eyes snapped up as Caleb stepped out of Ava’s dorm, flashing a mocking salute in Tiernan’s direction before he headed off toward his apartment. Tiernan hesitated, his gaze flicking up to Ava’s window briefly before he turned to walk away.
    She wasn’t his mission anymore.
    What he couldn’t wrap his mind around, however, was why the Council had apparently decided that Caleb Foster was.

Chapter 2

    Caleb was getting annoyed. Or perhaps frustrated was the more appropriate word. It wasn’t only that the Council was watching Ava, it was the fact that they’d sent Tiernan Ross to do the watching—the Race’s best tracker—as if Ava was a flight risk.  
    Where was she going to go? It had been months, and she’d given the Council no reason for concern. Still, his contacts told him she was on the radar, still considered a threat, both because of her strong gifts and the fact that she was raised as human. It was unheard of—a member of the Race hidden in the human world for so long with no idea who or what she was. And for the Council, the unknown was always perceived as a threat.
    He spotted Tiernan as he left Ava’s dorm, although he knew the Protector wasn’t trying to hide. Tiernan had no love for Ava, but Caleb knew he thought his current assignment was beneath him. To Caleb’s surprise, instead of staying at the dorm, Tiernan approached him, matching his pace.
    “Evening,” Caleb said with a questioning lift of his brow. “Something I can help you with?”
    Tiernan shrugged. “Just out enjoying the fresh air.”
    Caleb smirked. “Yeah. I always took you for a nature lover. I assume Katherine’s taking over?” He waved a hand back toward Ava’s dorm.
    “I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
    “Sure, you don’t,” he said with a tired sigh. “So to what do I owe the honor?”
    Tiernan was silent for a long moment. “The Council isn’t letting up on her.”
    It was a statement, not a question, so Caleb didn’t bother responding.  
    Tiernan glanced at him sidelong. “It’s been months. Why do you think they’re so worried?”
    Caleb took a deep breath. This was . . . odd. “You know why. She has a lot of power.”
    “Yeah.” Tiernan rolled his shoulders as if remembering how she’d used that power against him. “But that’s not all. You think it’s the Rogues?”
    Caleb came to a stop, turning to face him. “Why do you care all of a sudden?”
    “Just curious.” He looked away with another shrug. “ If I’d been watching a girl for months, and if she’d given no indication of betraying the Race, I might wonder why the Council wasn’t calling off the dogs.”
    “ If. ” Caleb eyed him carefully before turning to continue toward his apartment. “I have no idea what the Council’s thinking, Tiernan. If you have any insight, I’d love to hear it.”
    Tiernan walked alongside him and appeared to be deep in thought. He kicked a rock and tucked his hands in his pockets. “You have any interesting assignments lately?”
    Caleb started a bit at the change of subject. “You know I can’t discuss that.”
    “So you have .”
    “I didn’t say that.”
    “Come on. I’ve been bored out of my mind. Entertain me.”
    Caleb’s eyes narrowed. It wasn’t like Tiernan to be so talkative or to express interest in someone else. “What’s up with you?”
    Tiernan stiffened and stopped abruptly, looking up at Caleb’s apartment building. “Nothing. Just making conversation.” He shuffled on his feet before jerking a thumb over