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

even the safety of the other Temporal.” Sam’s eyes and tone of voice betrayed his fears.
    “Well, son, it does have something to do with Suteko and their past.” Seeing Sam’s face darken further, he added, “It isn’t as you fear. They didn’t have a relationship. I am sure Ian would have liked to have had one, but the feeling was not mutual. He has never forgiven me for stepping in and erecting...boundaries.”
    The old man looked around as if he wasn’t sure they were alone.
    “Sam, Ian has a history of violence. He has fought in many wars, won many battles. He was once a great warrior and a masterful general, a natural leader. I thought he had worked through his anger, but even though I do not have your gifts, his anger back there was thick in the air. And being reunited with Suteko…and me…Well, having both of us here surely does not help calm his emotions.”
    Sam began monitoring Ian the moment the old man mentioned his name. His mouth dropped.
    “Suteko...Marcus, he moved next to her.”
    Sam started to rush to the sliding door when Marcus grabbed his arm, stopping him at once.
    “Do not do anything rash.” Marcus leaned into Sam and spoke in hushed tones. “Ian may be with us, but he is a formidable enemy when provoked.”
    Sam nodded and then continued his charge toward the doorway. The door opened and Sam saw Suteko looking up at him with pleading eyes. In an instant, Sam was in front of her.
    Ian stood with ease, straightening his cuffs, and laughed, saying, “I was just keeping your seat warm for you, boy.” His laughter reminded Sam of the mocking laugh with which Ian had scolded the defeated Nephloc. It was a torturous laugh, designed to open a fresh wound while pounding in the salt.
    As Sam sat in his seat, Ian turned around and headed back to sit next to Catherine. Catherine did not acknowledge him; she was simply staring blankly out the window at the blurring trees and power line posts.
    Sam looked upon her with some sadness. When not in one of her moods, Catherine could be quite cordial. When she smiled, though, it rarely seemed sincere. She had a plain face and she acted like she knew it. She wore beautiful long dresses that seemed out of place in this day and age. But they were beautiful. Perhaps a little too beautiful, stealing whatever measure of beauty her plain face afforded her. She tucked a fold of her dress under her thigh and continued her window vigil as Ian sat down, seemingly oblivious to her mood.
    To Sam’s judgment, Catherine seemed insecure, always looking to others for meaning or validation. But even still, she would go off on her own to spend long hours in her room, reading or doing who-knows-what away from the others.
    Suteko leaned over and cupped her left hand over Sam’s right. She whispered, “Sam, I’m sorry. But you must believe me. There is nothing between Ian and me—there never has been.”
    Sam gave a half-hearted smile and reached over, patting her hand that was over his other hand. As he whispered, “I know,” all he could think about was what the old man had said. They’d had a history. What else could that mean? His heart beat a little faster. He was the victor—his girl was sitting with him, not Ian—but somehow Ian’s laughter had cast doubts. It was obvious she had detested his advances, but they’d had a history…
    Sam managed to break into a full smile, mostly for Suteko’s benefit. He then closed his eyes mumbling to her that he needed to get a little sleep.
    It was a lie.
    He had slept over twenty minutes right after getting on the train. This was more than the ten minutes a day he now needed, eternity’s gift and curse.
    It was an intentional lie, but as he said it, Sam’s subconscious moved the lie a touch closer to the truth. He didn’t need sleep, but he did need rest. As he let his mind drift and contemplate what history they may have had, he was soon asleep.

Chapter Five
    Seeing Marcus, the president rose and said, “