Page 38 of Guardian

“History between you and Virginia? What a load of bollocks!” Wesley said. “Why did you lie to her? What are you not telling me?”

Logan swallowed away the knot in his throat. “We’re not just on the run from the demons. I’m a fugitive from my own people.”

Wes visibly jolted. “What?”

“I defied a direct council order. And now I’m on the run with Winter. Virginia can’t find out where I am, or they’ll bring me in.”

Wesley slumped down into his armchair. “Oh for fuck’s sake! What have you done? Are you crazy? And you came to my house? What if Virginia had been home?”

“I waited until she left.”

“Oh, well, that’s just great. That makes it alright.” Wesley shook his head. “She’s my wife, you know. And I’m not one to keep secrets from my wife.”

“You have to keep this one. Or Winter dies.”

Wesley jumped up. “What?”

“The council ordered her execution.”

“Does she know?”

“No, she has no idea. Nor does she know that I was the one supposed to kill her. But I couldn’t do it…”

“Well, she is pretty. I give you that.”

Logan glared at him. “That wasn’t the reason.” He sighed. “At least not at first. When I was at her place, about to kill her, I realized that she would be of more value to the Stealth Guardians if she remained alive and if she could guide her visions. If she could channel them toward the demons and become an asset for us.”

Slowly Wesley shook his head, but in his eyes understanding blossomed. “You mean to make the council members change their votes.”

Logan nodded. “I need to convince only one council member. Only one, and the execution order will be reversed.”

“You’re absolutely crazy. You’re risking being tried for treason.”

“The reward is worth it.”

“What reward are you talking about? The advantage she might represent in your fight against the demons, or your personal reward?”

Wesley’s eyes bored into him.

“How dare—”

“Oh, come on, Logan, I’m married, not blind! And I don’t have to be a witch or a psychic to see what’s going on between you and her.”

“What I want for her has nothing to do with that.” And yet it had everything to do with it.

“But if you can convince the council, you’ll get both. Two birds with one stone. Right?”

“You can be very annoying sometimes. You know that, Wes?”

Wesley shrugged. “Hearing the truth can have that effect on people. But I’m a sucker for a good love story.”

“So you’ll help us?”

“Yeah, and I’m probably gonna get in trouble with Virginia over it.”

Logan smiled. “Way I remember it, you can be very charming when you want to be. I’m sure you have a way of taming that warrior wife of yours.” He slapped Wesley on the shoulder. “Thanks, buddy.”

Wes huffed. “Easy for you to say.” Then, almost casually, he added, “When are you gonna tell Winter that she’s marked for death?”

“And tell her that I was the one who was supposed to kill her? I hope never.”

“I suggest you tell her sooner rather than later. Lies have a way of finding their way to the surface.”

Logan shook his head. “If I tell her now, she might run from me, and I won’t be able to protect her.”

Wesley shrugged. “It’s your funeral.”