A Temporal Trust (The Temporal Book 2) Read Online Free PDF

opportunity to speak to royalty and leaders of nations before, but his first royal experiences had been with the Caesars. Those two encounters had instilled in him respect for authority mixed with a heavy dose of anxiety. People with great power over the lives of others made him nervous to this day.
    “We expect to be in the capital within the hour.” A few moments later, he ended the call with, “Yes, sir. Thank you, sir.”
    He turned to Suteko and let out a deeply suppressed breath. “I don’t think I will ever get used to speaking to the president no matter how young he is.”
    Suteko smiled. Marcus had very few weaknesses. It was nice to find yet another one, however quaint.
    Holding up the cell phone, he asked, “I only have a few more calls to make. The news that Kaileen has a complete list is disturbing. That I can now only reach about half of the Temporal is terrifying. The only good news now is those I can contact are taking the threat seriously. The four in the States are now arranging transport by car or bus, and the president has agreed to help scramble air transport for the rest of the world’s Temporal.”
    Marcus stood and walked a few rows away from the others. Once again, he had the phone to his ear. He had not stopped making calls since releasing the three Nephloc intruders. Marcus warned those he could and left messages when possible.
    If the matter hadn’t been so serious, Suteko would have enjoyed teasing Marcus about his sudden love of modern technology. He had never even touched a cell phone before recent events made resistance futile.
    The five present Temporal—Marcus, Suteko, Sam, Ian, and Catherine—were on an Amtrak heading to Washington and a meeting with President Brad Gardner.
    The president had full knowledge of how close the Nephloc had come to installing their man, Todd McGregor, into the White House. He also knew the sacrifices Sam and Suteko had made to stop the plot. He had been apprised by Marcus of the operation and was eager to offer his support.
    Sam looked at the others. They were the only passengers in their car. Catherine and Ian had appeared only a week before. His first impression of both had been positive. Catherine especially seemed nice, even if her mood was often gloomy. Ian had been the epitome of an English gentleman—gracious and full of jolly good fun. But just a few days after their arrival, Catherine’s mood darkened and she sulked continuously. Ian’s wit turned biting, edged with sarcasm; he became rough with his language and actions.
    Sam had just assumed Ian and Catherine were a couple. It was only after he had noticed Ian looking in Suteko’s direction a few times more than politeness dictated that he found out Ian and Catherine lived over five hundred miles apart and rarely spoke.
    Marcus stood and said, “Sam, could I have a moment with you?”
    Sam nodded, stood, and then followed the old man to the next compartment. The little room between the two cars had a set of restrooms and a janitor’s closet. Sam cracked open each door to confirm that they were alone and then turned his attention to Marcus. The incessant click-clack and roar of the wind nearly sound-proofed their meeting.
    “I’m concerned about our Temporal brethren around the world. Have you noticed anything strange with that radar in your head? I mean, have any disappeared?”
    “Well, no, but I’m still working out how to use this gift. At times, it is so clear and easy. Other times, it just isn’t there. But I can only sense nearby presences without intense concentration.”
    For worldwide searches, having something visual like a map helped greatly, but Sam was just beginning to discover the limitations and implications of his gift.
    “I see. Next question. How are things with Ian?” The old man spoke in a hurried speech as if trying to rush through an unpleasant topic.
    “Ian? Marcus, my judgment may be clouded, but I sense Suteko is on his mind a lot more than the Nephloc or