Secrets of the Guardian (Waldgrave Book 3) by A.L. Tyler Read Free Book Online

know how many of Master Daray’s supporters looked upon humans and human-born Silenti, Miss Collins, and  speculating  that I’m correct, you can see why he didn’t want this diagnosis. Human blood taints.”
    Doctor Evans gave her an unblinking, significant look as Lena tried to take in everything that he had said. It was terribly significant—more so than the doctor even realized. She had no clue what had happened in the fire so many years ago, or if her grandfather was actually her grandfather, and that fact aside if he was even biologically a Daray. But the fact that he had absorbed a human twin spoke that he wasn’t who he had claimed to be; that, or the Darays had been integrationists and had more family secrets than she gave them credit for. But could human blood have spoiled him of his ability to read the old books? And still, what of the conflicting family trees? Either way, she could see why Master Daray had hidden the fact.
    “Well,” she said, trying not to sound too anxious, “That’s interesting. Do you have any ideas on where he was exposed to the virus? I mean, do you know if his mother had it, and maybe passed it to him at birth?”
    Doctor Evans brought his hand up to his mouth in the gesture that he was thinking. Lena watched his eyes drift around the small curtained room for several minutes before he gave a hesitant answer. “Ms. Collins, you may not be aware, but there is no code in Silenti law that allows me doctor-patient privilege. Your grandfather selected me to be his personal physician because I adhere to certain ethical standards; namely, that I have sworn an oath to protect doctor-patient confidentiality, which dictates that I must only use information divulged to me to benefit the patient.” Lyle Evans’ lips curled into a smile. “However, in this case, Pyrallis Daray is dead. Due to my relationship with him, I know that he wanted your life to be as long, healthy, and fruitful as possible. In a way, then, disclosure of this information to you, for your benefit, is to his benefit.” The doctor’s smile broadened. “His mother never had HIV, I’m sure, because I saw her once or twice to diagnose her fertility problems. Like your mother, she developed severe uterine regenerative scarring from rough delivery and eventual emergency cesarean, which prevented further pregnancies. It’s that you’re just not built for childbearing, so I suggest if you ever decide to—“
    Lena smiled weakly. “There will never be any children, Doctor, but thank you for telling me.”
    “And that’s your decision.” He nodded at her. “But as I was saying, I believe his wife was more suspect.”
    “Olesia?” Lena asked.
    “Yes. Olesia. I have no idea how she became involved in all of this, the poor child. She was just around the same age as young Master Daray, but so willful. She was a passive-aggressive sort, never talked much but did her fair share of glaring and locking herself in her room. I had the pleasure of knowing her confidentially, as family doctors do, and she was very politically motivated. I believe she was even jealous of your grandfather and his inherited position amongst the other Council Representatives; I say I   believe  that because she didn’t like to talk about him, or her past. I suspect she was the source of the exposure because she was very obviously not a full Silenti. I never found anything physically condemning to that effect, but she just never developed. She wasn’t a strong thought-speak user, she didn’t dream as we do, she never had premonitions. Again, I have no idea how she came to be the wife of your grandfather or what your great-grandfather must have seen in her to make that decision, but so it was. She may have been unknowingly carrying the virus, but wasn’t susceptible due to that fact that she had a Silenti immune system. Contamination was never an issue back then, because there are so few illnesses that we can traffic to each other, but we