Secrets of the Guardian (Waldgrave Book 3) Read Online Free PDF

her a sidelong glance. “But, well…you might be able to talk to him later. After dinner tonight, perhaps. He won’t be conversational, and anything he says probably won’t make any sense, but he’ll know you’re there.”
    Lena looked back at the doctor. “Thank you. Thank you so much.”   
    “Not at all.” He smiled, sending tiny creases scampering around his old eyes. “If you need anything, my assistants know where to find me, but I’ll be down for dinner and then we can go up together, if you like.”
    “Yes, that would good. Thank you, doctor.”
    He smiled and walked away, back up the stairs toward the library and the upper floors. It was going to be hard not being able to talk to Devin about what had happened, but at least he would know she was there. That was what really mattered, and dinner wasn’t that far off.
    She looked back toward the greenhouse; she wasn’t sure if the three people waiting there expected her to come back or not. She had been right in the middle of a conversation with Jason Rivera, but she wasn’t sure if the conversation was done or not. She had left quite suddenly, and if they were expecting her back, it was going to look snobbish if she didn’t return. She was the only one in the group that wasn’t a full member of the Council, and given her history with each member, she didn’t want to seem too presumptuous by returning too quickly or not at all. She trudged back to the greenhouse as gracefully as she could.
    Masters Prescot and Astley were seated on the opposite side of Jason Rivera; they had left her seat available, which probably meant they were expecting her back. She took a deep breath, remembered where she had left off, and hoped everyone else had forgotten.
    “My apologies for the intrusion,” she said as she walked back over to her chair and sat down, “the victim from yesterday is posing some unique challenges.”
    She looked up, but tried not to let her eyes linger too long. The silence hung heavier than any Lena had previously experienced. Master Prescot spoke first. “Nobody blames you for what happened.”
    She glanced back up, and couldn’t help but notice the brace on Master Prescot’s wrist again. “It was my proposal. It was my responsibility, and I’m very sorry for everything that happened to—“
    Master Prescot looked directly at her. “Miss Collins, you seem to place a value on the lives of those around you that is unwarranted by your family history. While I’m not as staunch a believer in the old ways as many on the Council, I suggest you stop making it so blatantly obvious that you care before someone decides to use it against you. Frankly, I’ve been impressed with how well you’ve handled yourself since escaping your ordeal, so mind that you don’t go wandering back the way you came. Feel however you want to, but the rest of us don’t want or need to know about it.”
    Lena looked directly back at him, trying not to seem taken off guard. At first, it had sounded like an insult; then he had complimented her, and she realized he was offering advice. “Thank you, sir, I’ll try to keep that in mind.”
    The silence returned for several minutes, and Lena found herself staring into the reflection of the circular pond in the middle of the greenhouse floor; Pete was doing a good job of keeping it up. Hardly any pond scum.
    Master Astley broke her train of thought. “So, what do you know about this Rollin Miller character?”
    Lena looked away. So that was why they were here. “I was hoping to gather some more details of what he’s up to from our survivor, but that could be a while.” She looked back over. They were all watching her. “He’s arrogant, I can tell you that much. Brilliant, too. Didn’t think much of me, obviously, because he left me in a room by myself, but I doubt he’ll make the mistake of underestimating anyone ever again.”
    Lena looked down at her palms. Most of the scarring from the mirror shard had healed