Disclaimer: Sadly, I don't own the 39 clues series or any of the characters in it.
A/N: Hi there :] Thanks for stopping by to read this fanfic. Although I can't guarantee that you'll like it, I hope you'll enjoy none the less.
P.S. I would be happy to take you're criticisms and suggestions into serious consideration. R&R :D ~ Bea-pon
Prologue (4 months after the clue hunt)
The conference room in the Madrigal stronghold seemed to emanate an aura of uneasy suspense. In it was your typical office place lavished with grey easy back chairs and a long mahogany table at the center. The shades were drawn together in a gesture of privacy, that in which the occupants were thankful for. Over all the space was dim and eerie with what little light passed through.
But it was certainly a sight to behold. The 5 Cahill branch leaders had gathered and were now facing each other in one of the places you'd least expect them to be.
Fiske Cahill, the current head of the Madrigals, stood with the intention of beginning this meeting and diminishing the tense mood that enveloped them. He breathed a troubled sigh and began speaking.
"I know all of you aren't pleased to be here."
That statement was clearly evident with the ominous atmosphere that enclosed the area. He scrutinized their faces watching for some sort of reaction.
Vikram Kabra (Lucian) had that bored expression embedded on his face. Cora Wizard (Janus) looked down upon the man standing in front of him. Eisenhower Holt (Tomas) was gritting his teeth in restraint. And Alistair Oh (Ekaterina) appeared to be calm, but was as pale as a ghost.
"And I won't waste any more of your time with pointless statements. I'm sure every one of us here is aware of the fact that "they" have been showing signs of activity lately, am I correct?"
Silence.
"Well then, I propose a temporary truce, considering the immense danger of the matter."
Eisenhower stirred then frustration crossed his features.
"Just how do expect us to get along Mr. High and Mighty, when we've been annoying the hell out of each other for centuries? Plus, I can't imagine having to work with you wimps." Satisfied, he finished off with a smirk.
"For your information most of us are civilized enough to do just that, unlike you and you're gorilla-sized family." Cora implied using the full force of her haughty demeanor.
He took on the intended blow of that insult, reddening like a tomato in the process. Seething with anger he slammed his fists onto the table with enough impact to damage it.
"You leave my family out of this, Hippie!"
Alistair sensing that this wasn't going to end without violence, set out to stop any other verbal reprimand.
"Now, now lets all settle down and..."
"Alistair, stop acting like a faultless peacemaker. It's revolting." Vikram drawled in his cold, cynical tone.
Alistair, having been offended beyond belief, started to say something, but was immediately cut off by Fiske's booming voice echoing in the enclosure.
"Enough! All of you are acting like children in need of a lecture. And I would be more than happy to give you that if we had the time, which we don't, and if you can't cease you're incessant bickering.
With that, silence once again fell upon their surroundings.
"Now what do you suppose of the truce?"
"It can't be helped. We have to work together if we want to win and protect what's ours" Alistair sighed.
"I have to agree with the old man, we still don't know what we're up against." Eisenhower interceded.
"That is currently the case, but how can we be prepared when they arrive?" Cora questioned.
"We train the children." Vikram stated.
"The kids huh? That's not such a bad idea Cobra" Eisenhower grinned.
"Agreed. Problem solved." Cora replied.
Fiske was mentally weighing the pros and cons of the given alternative, and decided that this was the best option possible with the way things were progressing.
"Alright, I believe that these children have the utmost potential to protect what our family possesses, but we must exercise extreme caution. Not a single word will escape any one of you regarding the objectives as to why we're making them do everything we're about to... At least not now.
"But we can't keep them out of the loop for long. They're bound to find out, sooner or later."
"Later is going to be better for them Alistair, they are still children. We'll have to give them time to... grow up."
An immense feeling sadness overcame Fiske, for he was doing the exact same thing Grace once did. He was going to have to deceive them... again. They should never have been involved in the first place, but faith had made it necessary for them to participate in the race, just as she was making them part of this new scheme.
Although guilt was overrun by a sense of having to shield them from the dangers that were lurking in the shadows. Besides, this could be a good opportunity to restore severed bonds.
"It's decided then. I'll leave the separate arrangements to each of you, and remember to keep quite about this."
Vikram, having once again found the need to talk, spoke up.
"Don't worry; we know just as well to keep the Vespers and this rendezvous a secret from the others."
They left after that, leaving Fiske to ponder over several ways to make things easier for Dan and Amy.
END OF CHAPTER
A/N: Please don't hesitate to correct me NICELY if I'm wrong :) Watch out for the next chapter :P