“Yes?”
“It’s about Dylan. I think it’d be best—I mean, if he doesn’t have an upcoming assignment, then I’d like him to help me—officially.”
“Is that so? And what do you propose we do? Assign two Shepherds to protect a single human?”
“No, not exactly.” I took a deep breath and exhaled loudly. “I’d like Dylan to replace me as Quinn’s Shepherd.” I paused for her reaction, mentally prioritizing my list of arguments in support of my plan.
Tara looked at me with raised brows. “This is quite an unusual request. How, in your opinion, would his replacing you on this case be beneficial? Dylan has never had an assignment. He has never been solely responsible for protecting anyone. Are you sure you are willing to risk Quinn’s life to test whether or not Dylan is capable of the task at hand?”
“I’m not sure I have any other choice,” I began. “I need his help. And the way I see it, I’m the one who has to track down information about what, where, when, and how the Servants plan to attack Quinn. That’s in addition to having to coordinate a defense to keep Quinn safe, keep up with my training, and prevent the Servants from eliminating me. And since I can’t be everywhere at once, there’s no way I’ll be able to watch Quinn twenty-four-seven and do everything else I need to do.
“And there’s no way I can leave Quinn unprotected and vulnerable. Even if his Watcher could be reassigned to Quinn, it wouldn’t help. Peter told me Watchers aren’t trained to protect humans. Plus, we both know if Quinn tagged along with me up here for everyone to see, I’d be thrown out of the Archives so fast I wouldn’t even feel the door hit me on my way out … So, I thought of Dylan. As far as we know, he’s not a direct target of the Servants. And, if he’s there to help me out, I can investigate what’s going on, knowing Quinn will have protection while I’m away. Moreover, if the Servants don’t find out about the switch, we might have an edge over them—confuse them as to who’s guarding him, who’s linked to him.
“Besides,” I continued without giving Tara a chance to protest, “my being ‘officially’ removed from the case doesn’t have to change my actual level of day-to-day involvement. It’s not like I can protect someone else from the same things hunting me, so there’s no way I’ll get another assignment until all of this blows over. And, you know the Order will never let me walk away and wipe my hands clean of this case until they give the say so.
“Not to mention, this would be like on-the-job training for Dylan,” I rambled on. “I’ll stay on top of Quinn’s case by acting as a hands-on mentor. Dylan and I already have proven we work well together. And, more importantly, Quinn trusts him. Plus, I don’t have to teach Dylan how to fight a Servant because he already knows how to hunt and destroy them. He’s even been training Quinn how to defend himself.
“And, for the icing on the cake,” I continued, grasping at straws, “officially removing me from Quinn’s case, even if only really a technicality, would be viewed as you stripping me of my title—a punishment—which should earn you a few brownie points with all the Shepherds who disapprove of me and the way I’ve managed Quinn’s case thus far.”
I’d laid all my arguments out on the table and was now left with nothing to do but hold my breath and wait for her response.
Tara smirked. I could see she knew I was trying to appeal to her political side by pointing out how this arrangement would benefit her. “I can see you have given this quite a bit of thought,” she said.
“So, what do you say?” I asked hopefully.
“Are you fully aware of what you are asking?” Tara replied after a minute of silence. “If you’re removed as Quinn’s Shepherd, the change will be permanent. You might be very upset with the position in which you prematurely find yourself.”
“Yes, I’m aware of that.” I swallowed back my fears that she might be right.
“All right, then. I will persuade the Order to approve your request.”
“Thank you.” I exhaled in relief. “I really believe this is our best option.”
“For all of our sakes, I hope you’re right,” Tara said with a concerned look in her eyes. She forced a smile. “I must admit, you have a talent for discovering, or should I say creating, interesting loopholes.”
“Only when I believe they’re important.”
“Eve,” she continued, “I realize you often question the virtue of our traditions, our Rules, and our values, and maybe it is time to revisit some of them. But until that time comes, I feel compelled to remind you that you are under the scrutiny of the other Shepherds, most of whom do not understand what you are doing—nor do they want to. They have neither the desire nor the tolerance for change, and that is what you represent to them. In their eyes, you threaten the very foundation upon which we stand.
“So my advice to you is to tread carefully around those who are so dearly trying to hold on to our old ways. Try to uphold the Rules and to refrain from ruffling any more feathers. And for the sanctity and preservation of our ways, do not expose who we are to any more humans.” She sighed. “I would also recommend you avoid flaunting the nature of your relationship with your charge around your colleagues.” She glanced at my left hand.
Yikes! I’d forgotten to take off my engagement ring before coming up here. I immediately removed it and shoved it into my pocket.
“Oh, um, sorry,” I apologized. “Next time, I’ll remember to take it off first.”
Tara shook her head slightly. “Well, at least that is a step in the right direction. You will see to it that you are on time for your meeting with Tartuf?”
“Yes.”
“Very well.” She paused, as if mulling over whether she should say anything more. “Eve, I fear time is not on your side. It’s important that you figure out how to protect Quinn and yourself sooner rather than later.” There was more than a trace of urgency in Tara’s voice, causing a shiver to run down my spine and my skin to crawl.
*
Dylan and Quinn were laughing when I returned to the Falls. On any other day, I would’ve felt a sense of relief they were actually getting along. But right now, I only felt jealous—jealous of the kinship they’d obviously formed while I was away. Jealous of the inherent bond they would share once Dylan became Quinn’s Shepherd.
Ignoring my budding envy, I zeroed my gaze in on Dylan. “Tag, you’re it,” I announced as cheerfully as I could.
“You’re kidding. It was that easy?” Dylan asked in amazement.
I nodded.
“What was that easy?” Quinn asked.
“Dylan’s about to replace me as your Shepherd,” I said triumphantly.
“What? Wait a minute!” Dylan exclaimed in alarm. “I thought you were going to ask the Council to have me assigned to Quinn’s case with you—not for you to go all AWOL on me and get yourself removed from the case altogether.”
A tortured expression appeared on Quinn’s face. “What the hell, Evie? So that’s it? Dylan steps in, and you just—just up and leave me?”
“No! Quinn, how could you ever think I’d agree to that?” I exclaimed, exasperated. “Look, both of you need to take a deep breath and hear me out.”
They both did as directed, and I took a deep breath as well.
Dylan spoke out first. “So, what’s this grand plan of yours?”
“You know the Rules. Two Shepherds can’t be assigned to any one human because there aren’t enough of us to go around.”
“Yeah,” Dylan interjected, “but the Council has to realize this is a really messed up case. They’ve got to be willing to make an exception and cut us some slack here.”
“They are making an exception,” I replied. “Officially, Quinn will have one Shepherd—you. Unofficially, however, he’ll have two because I’ll still be here.”
Dylan flashed me a look like he didn’t get it. Quinn, on the other hand, flashed me a look that said he just plain didn’t like my plan and wasn’t willing to hear anymore—period, end of story.
“Quinn, listen
to me.” I sighed. “I’ve run through it hundreds of times and this makes the most sense. This has the best chance of actually working. I can’t be here to protect you and me—especially when I can’t physically be here with you every minute of the day. So Dylan and I will both protect you. Dylan’s focus will be on daily protection detail while mine will be on doing everything else to ensure you no longer need a daily protection detail.”
“Yes!” Dylan exclaimed. “I’m the muscle of the operation, and you’re the brains behind the scene. Excellent, K.C.! Really sweet!”
Quinn didn’t look any happier.
“Quinn, there’s just too much for me to do all alone. I can’t always stay here by your side, and I can’t always take you with me when I’m trying to investigate new leads and find out new information. I need a partner to help safeguard you while I figure out how to stop the Servants.”
“I thought we were partners—that we were in this together—or did you just tell me that to make me feel better,” Quinn said bitterly.
“We are partners,” I reassured him. “We are in this together. I just don’t know what all of ‘this’ is exactly, and unfortunately, I’m the only one of the three of us who can figure that part out at the moment.” I sighed in frustration. “What am I supposed to do? Leave you here to defend yourself while I’m who-knows-where, unable to hear or feel if you’re in trouble? Don’t you see how that’s an impossible situation for me—for us? I’d never leave your side. And what if I get attacked while I’m with you? Who’s going to rescue you?
“Besides, Dylan and you have been all buddy-buddy this summer anyway. And since Dylan is strong enough, and not to mention all too willing, to kick the crap out of some demons, I couldn’t think of anyone more perfect for the job. I mean, who better to help us than someone who knows you—someone we already like and trust to protect you from the dangers you’re unable to see?”
“And what about you?” Quinn asked skeptically. “Suddenly, you’re a free agent. Won’t you get assigned to a new case?”
“No.”
“How can you be so sure?” he challenged.
Because the Servants want me almost as badly as they want you, I thought to myself.
“Because the Servants want K.C. out of the picture—bad,” Dylan jumped in, putting a voice to my words. “And as long as they’re after her, she’d be nothing but a liability to any human under her protection.”
“That true?” Quinn asked me point blank.
I nodded.
“And you were going to tell me this when?” Quinn looked irritated.
“You gave me three days, remember?”
Quinn nodded and relaxed his posture some, although the expression on his face remained unchanged. “So even though Dylan’s going to be my new Shepherd, you’re still sticking around,” Quinn confirmed.
“Yes.”
“For how long?” he asked.
“I’ll be around for so long you’ll be sick of me by the time this is all over,” I quipped, but Quinn did not smile in return.
“Quinn, don’t worry.” I took his hand in mine and tugged gently until he met my gaze. “This will work. It has to.”
*
Dylan left shortly thereafter to get the details of his “assignment,” leaving Quinn and me alone in the portal once again. Whenever he looked at me, all I could see was the reservation pooled in his eyes.
“Quinn, this is our best chance.”
“I hope you’re right.”
“Don’t you trust me?”
“With my life!” he exclaimed passionately. “I just wish you’d trust me enough to discuss the plan with me rather than keep me in the dark while you’re off with Dylan determining what is and isn’t ‘our’ best chance and then going ahead and acting on it.”
“Quinn, I trust you more than anyone. I just didn’t want to worry you over a plan I wasn’t even sure would work. I had no idea whether Tara would be willing to replace me with Dylan as your Shepherd.”
Dejection filled his eyes. “It doesn’t matter if your plan would’ve worked or not, or whether or not I would’ve worried about it, you still should’ve told me.”
Guilt washed over me. “You’re right. I’m sorry.” I sighed. “I have every intention of including you in the game plan. I’ve just been so used to making the calls on my own. It’s like I need to personally ensure that nothing is left to chance, that no stone is left unturned, especially when it comes to you. But I promise I’ll work harder to keep you in the loop from now on, okay?”
“Okay.” He seemed to unwind a little.
I chuckled weakly. “I guess I needed to come to terms with turning over the reins to someone else before I could expect you to be comfortable with the change, you know?”
“I know.” He tucked a loose lock of hair behind my ear, caressing my cheek as he did—a tender act of forgiveness that made me feel better and worse at the same time.
“And believe me, I have yet to accept the idea of Dylan being your new go-to guy,” I freely admitted.
“Yeah, this whole switching Shepherds thing is going to be a little strange,” agreed Quinn.
“By the way, when did the little bromance between you two begin to brew?”
“‘Bromance,’ huh?” Quinn laughed. “Is that a spark of jealousy I see in those beautiful green eyes of yours?” he asked with raised eyebrows.
“Maybe,” I conceded, shrugging my shoulders.
“Don’t worry, he’s not my type.” Quinn grinned and sat down on the grass, pulling me down onto his lap, facing him.
“And what is your type?”
“Let’s see,” he drew the words out, teasing me. “Long brown hair, golden-green eyes, a cute little nose—” He broke off to kiss the tip of my nose. “Kissable lips.” He bit my lower lip playfully.
“And to think I was worried I’d become the third wheel,” I joked.
“Never.” Quinn kissed me. “Besides, it sounds like Dylan has found a wheel of his own.”
“Oh, yeah.” I smiled. “Your Watcher. I wonder how they met.”
“It was probably when Dylan found me about a month or so ago, although I’m still not exactly sure how he did it. Two weeks into my trip, he just showed up one night while I was camping.” Quinn smiled and shook his head. “He really scared the crap out of me.”
“That sounds like Dylan.” After what we’d been through, I could only imagine how Dylan popping in unannounced on Quinn would’ve freaked him out. “Subtlety isn’t really his strong suit.”
“Yeah, well, once the initial shock wore off, I was glad he’d showed up. We talked a lot … about you.” Quinn paused, and I could feel the intensity of his eyes on me. “And,” he said in a lighter tone, casting his eyes over the water, breaking the spell of his gaze, “I must admit, the guy knows a lot about camping.”
“I’m not surprised.”
“And animals. Man, this one time we ran into one pissed off black bear. I mean, I thought we were goners—but Dylan, he just calmed it down somehow. He’s like the Bear Whisperer or something.” Quinn chuckled.
“Remind me some day to tell you about the time he got a raging bull to eat right out my hand,” I said. “Well, first he pissed it off, and then he got it to eat out of my hand.”
“That was the same night you first brought me here.” Quinn grinned.
“Ah, so he already told you the story.”
“Yup.” He chuckled again.
“Any other stories about me he shared with you?” I asked with raised eyebrows.
“Anyway,” Quinn said in an exaggerated tone, letting me know he wasn’t about to go down that road. “We camped in and around Yellowstone and then made our way down to the Grand Tetons. I was actually in Jackson Hole when Dylan transported me up here so I could plan your homecoming.”
“Thank you for that.” I leaned over and kissed him on the cheek. “Hey,” I added, my mind shifting focus. “Whatever happened to the semester abroad program? I thought you were g
oing to work this summer to earn some money for the trip? Aren’t you going?”
“I’m going, but my parents insisted on paying for the whole thing. They didn’t want me spending my savings, especially when my swim scholarship has taken care of my tuition for the past three years.”
“That was nice of them.” It didn’t surprise me in the least that his parents would offer to pay for his semester abroad. They knew how hard Quinn had worked these last few years in school.
“Yeah, it was. I actually feel kind of bad about it all.”
“Why?” I could see the guilt in Quinn’s eyes, and it concerned me.
“Well, for one thing, I barely thanked them before dumping my stuff at home and taking off. And now I’m not even sure I want to go to London next semester.”
“Why not?”
“Because I’m not so sure this is the best time for me to be away from my family.”
“Is everyone all right? Mary, is she okay?”
“Yeah, Mary’s great, thanks to you,” he said in a reassuring voice. “And don’t worry, Tommy and Sam still have no clue what you did to save her that night. In fact, your friends up there made sure those two don’t remember anything about you. Tommy doesn’t even remember me talking about you—ever.”
“How do you know?”
“He never once asked me about you after you saved Mary’s life. So one day, a couple weeks after you left, I told him my girlfriend left me for her job. He just laughed, saying he didn’t even know I’d had a girlfriend, much less one smart enough to pick her career over me.”
“Quinn—” I wanted to apologize. I wanted to say something to justify his brother’s and sister-in-law’s memory loss, but I couldn’t think of anything that would make the situation any better.
“I keep telling myself it’s for the best, but it doesn’t change the fact that it still sucks big time. Tommy and Sam are trustworthy. They would’ve kept your secret.”
“I know. But it wasn’t up to you or me to let them because it wasn’t only my secret to keep. And that entire ordeal with Mary should prove to you this is not the best time to stick close to your family. The more you interact with them, the more you risk involving them in all of this.”
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