Free Guardians Inc.:Thundersword (Guardians Incorporated #2) by Julian Rosado-Machain Page A

ears.”
          “The other Cypher is his grandfather,” Elise said. “Now, tell us what you've heard about him.”
          “Hold it right there,” the Minister said. “First things first.” He turned to Thomas. “Lights!” he said, and the room illuminated. Thomas watched as Idar’s pupils grew smaller. “I guess this is better for you,” he told him. “Would you like something to drink? I have tea, water, and even some soda around here.” He walked toward the large table, the right size for the Minister, but a little large for the humans. He picked up the plate with raw meat and bones and threw it into a trash container. Then he opened the door to what looked like a fridge.
          “Water for me, please,” Elise said.
          “Nothing for me, thanks,” Thomas said, climbing up into the chair.
          “You sure?” Idar wiggled a can of soda with his clawed hand.
          “Well,” Thomas said, “Sure, I'll take it. Thank you.”
          “Anything for you, my mechanical friend?” he asked Bolswaithe. “I can ask for some oil or grease or something else for you.”
          “I'm fine, sir,” Bolswaithe said. “Thank you.”
          The Minister sat down at the table, extending the water and soda toward them. “So, was it a sign from the Oracle in Hussahassalin?” he asked Thomas.
          Thomas didn't say anything; he wasn't supposed to. The Doctor had strictly forbidden him from talking about the Oracle with anyone, but Elise gave him a nod, and she officially was the Doctor’s right hand.
          “Yes, it was,” Thomas replied.
          “Aha!” The Minister clapped. “The time of Concord is again upon us, and you, my boy, could be the one who finally brings everyone together.”
           Dear God! Thomas thought. Not with the Fauns too! Everywhere he went and everyone he met just expected him to be and do great things. He was tired of hearing the same greater-than-life future he was supposed to live. All he could do was read strange languages. He was just a translation dictionary with legs.
          Idar seemed to sense Thomas’s frustration, because he immediately reclined back. “What’s wrong?” he asked. “You do know what’s expected of you, don’t you?”
          There was an awkward pause that Elise interrupted, “That’s why we came,” she said, “So he could meet Fauns in person and learned about their needs and motivations.”
          The Minister closed his hands in front of him. “Well, that’s easy,” he said. “We want respect, to become known to humans…we want protection to our anchor species, our own lands and resources, and thrive as a people. In short, we want to become partners of humanity.” He leaned forward in his chair. “Of course, that’s what we want in the long run, but right now we are focusing on avoiding a war with humans and survival.”
          “A war?” Elise asked.
          “Of course, my dear!” Idar slammed his hands on the table, his claws embedding themselves into the wood. “Do you know how much clout I would get with the Azure Guard for killing this Byrne in front of me right now?” he asked. “Oh, it would be such a victory for them.”
          Out of the corner of his eye, Thomas saw Bolswaithe inching closer to the table. Thomas knew that if Idar even came close, Bolswaithe would surely take him on in a hand-to-hand battle.
          “The truth is that the Guardians are failing us,” Idar continued. “The Pillars are stirring, the tribes are restless… There is almost no faith left on the Clans for the Guardians’ promises.” He pried loose his claws and pointed at Thomas. “We need you to do something for us if we want to avoid another war.”
          “We have done much for you,” Elise said. “We created the National Parks initiative. The zoos. We are pushing conservation and the responsible use of