Page 57 of Guardian

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Logan had said his goodbyes and left Winter under Gabriel’s protection. When he entered the portal hidden away in a tunnel at the 16th Street BART station in San Francisco, he did so with unease. His case wasn’t as strong as he’d hoped. Had he had more time, he could have made a better one, but he had to play the cards he was dealt. For once he wished that the trip to the council compound would take longer, but he arrived within seconds.

He took a deep breath and willed the portal’s door to open. He stepped out of it and looked around. Everything looked like it always did. Runes were carved into the massive stone walls to ward the building against witchcraft, as well as detection by humans. Cameras were mounted in various locations covering different angles, so guards sitting in a control room could monitor the comings and goings. Several corridors led in different directions, and stairs led to the other levels in the building.

Logan knew the guards would recognize him, but they didn’t know why he was here. It was best to make his way to the council chambers as quickly as possible, before some overeager fellow guardian stopped him and asked him about his business.

He navigated through the building swiftly and without losing time. Arriving at the council chamber, he approached the guard standing sentry.

“Evening. Logan Frazer. The council is expecting me,” he lied.

While the guard looked at a sheet of paper, presumably the agenda for the day, Logan readied himself for another lie.

“Sorry, Logan, but you’re not on the list.”

Logan leaned over, glanced at the paper and shook his head. “Yeah, that’s because you’ve got the old agenda. Happens. Don’t worry about it. I won’t tell them that you screwed up.” He patted him on the shoulder. “But next time make sure you ask if there are any revisions to the schedule before you get it printed.” He jerked his thumb toward the chamber. “Or Barclay is gonna be pissed.” By referring to Primus by his first name, Logan let the guard assume that he was friends with their leader.

Leaving the confused guard to sputter a few incoherent words, Logan turned to the door, opened it quickly and slipped inside. He closed it silently behind him.

At first the council members didn’t notice him. All nine of them were in deep discussion, not sitting around the half-moon shaped table from which they governed, but standing split into different groups behind it.

“Councilmembers,” Logan greeted the assembled elders to draw their attention to him.

Several heads turned and with it some of the conversations stopped. The room now quieter, more people turned their heads, until finally, Barclay laid eyes on Logan.

“Logan? What are you doing here?” Barclay took a few steps toward him, then stopped. “We’re in the middle of a confidential council session. Where’s the guard?”

“I’m afraid I told the guard you were expecting me. A last-minute change to your agenda.”

“That’s highly irregular,” Cinead objected, stepping next to Barclay.

“Indeed,” Barclay bit out, just as displeased about the intrusion, while the other members voiced their displeasure with sour looks and narrowed eyes.

Logan lifted a hand in acquiescence. “I understand. But this is a matter of life and death. And it cannot wait.”

“Then make it quick,” Barclay ordered.

“It’s about the psychic, Winter Collins.”

“That case is hardly urgent. You executed her, so anything regarding that matter can wait,” Barclay said with a dismissive wave toward the door, turning away already.

“She’s not dead.”

Barclay whipped his head back to him. “Not dead? You had an order!”

“And I can’t follow it. This psychic is worth more to us alive than dead. She can help us.”

“Help us?” Cinead mocked. “She’s a danger. A loose cannon. If the demons get their hands on her, she’ll help them destroy us.”

“She won’t,” Logan protested. “She’s stronger than you think. Her mind is like a fortress. Nobody can penetrate it. The demons won’t be able to influence her, even if they find her. Which they won’t.”

Barclay took a step closer, narrowing his eyes. “And why is that, Logan?”

Logan squared his stance. “Because she’s under my protection.”

Gasps rippled through the chamber.

“I have proof that she has visions about the demons, sees things that will give us an edge. And she’s getting better at it every minute. She’s learning to control the visions, to point them in the direction she wants to go.” Not exactly a lie, but he had to give them something. At least so he could buy them some time until Winter had truly mastered her visions.