“How long have you had it?” she asked softly, her fingers still on his skin. Cord stepped away from her and pulled the shirt back down.
“Some months now,” he admitted as he turned to her.
“Who knows?”
“No one.” Cord stood in front of her, his arms crossed, his damp hair framing his face. Cool grey eyes looked at her, waiting.
“You’ve been killing the Lycan,” Tegan whispered.
“It’s not what you think,” Cord began.
“Have you been killing the Lycan?” Tegan asked, louder now.
“Yes.”
Her step backward looked like it caused him actual pain. “Little tiger,” Cord reached for her.
“Don’t call me that,” her voice seemed loud over the ringing in her ears.
“Tegan, I can explain,” Cord took a step forward.
“Tegan!” the voices from below caused her to jump. “Tegan are you here?” Recognising Salem’s voice, Tegan turned from Cord and ran from Leonid’s rooms.
“I’m here,” she called as she reached the stairs.
Salem looked wild-eyed as he took in the sight of her. Taking the stairs two at a time he caught her halfway, his arms going around her, holding her close. “Thank Delfar, I thought I lost you,” he whispered as his arms tightened around her.
“Dad? Have you found her?”
Salem pulled away and with a quick kiss to her head let her go. Tegan looked around him to see Michael and Sloane at the foot of the stairs. Running down the stairs she almost leapt into her cousin’s arms, so grateful to see him. Michael pulled her from Sloane before embracing her also.
“Where in Arflyn’s name have you been?” Sloane demanded.
“Cord,” Tegan began but stopped, she didn’t know if she could speak.
“Is he okay?” Sloane stepped forward urgently. “Tegan, is my brother okay?”
“Yes, his energy was depleted, it took a while to regenerate,” Tegan forced a smile. “He’s upstairs.” Sloane pushed passed her in his haste to see his brother. He ran up the stairs calling for him.
“You look exhausted,” Michael said reaching out to take her hand. Reassuring himself that she was okay and in front of him.
“I am,” Tegan admitted. “Is Zahra okay?”
“Yes, Sloane got her out. Marcus is with her at Headquarters.”
“What happened?” Salem asked coming to stand close.
“The hall, there was fire,” Tegan broke off.
“Yes, it seems the furnishings were not immune to Cord’s spell and they caught fire,” Salem sighed heavily, and Tegan realised he looked as exhausted as she felt. “We lost some Akrhyn,” his head bowed in deference to the dead.
“How many?” Tegan’s voice was a whisper in the room.
“Seven,” Michael answered. “May the Ancients take them and bless their peace.”
Tegan and Salem repeated the words. Tegan’s head was bowed, seven? She hadn’t counted seven, how could she tell Cord?
Cord.
Her head snapped up as Sloane appeared at the top of the stairs, she knew what he was going to say even before he spoke.
“He’s gone.”
Tegan was in the training room, testing the weight of a kali stick. It had been three days since her family had come for her at Silver Lake. Castor Jameis had been with them, portalling them back in twos. Before anyone could question her, Salem ordered Michael to take Tegan to her room, where she had slept for ten hours. Cord hadn’t reappeared and Tegan was making herself sick worrying about him. She hadn’t mentioned his spell or his mark. Tegan still felt overwhelmed and she was still trying to figure it out herself.
“You training with it, or are you playing with it?”
Tegan looked up at Kai as he walked into the training room and she smiled in greeting. He had been relieved to see that she was okay and upon her return to Headquarters, he had grabbed her and buried his face in her hair. Since her return he had been dedicated in making sure she wanted for nothing. What she wanted was some alone time, but everyone was watching her closely and she recognised that she was being selfish. Tove hadn’t been there when she returned, but Tegan was anxiously awaiting her return.
“I’m not sure,” Tegan gave a light laugh.
“I brought you a present,” Kai confided playfully.
Tegan looked at him, taking in his handsome face and warm smile. Kai was open and honest, he didn’t have a mocking undertone when he spoke, he didn’t sneer when he was bored with the conversation. He didn’t have a superior attitude because he thought he was the better Akrhyn because he was insanely gifted.
“What’s my present?” Tegan asked, willing herself to put mocking grey eyes out of her mind. The door to the training room opened and Jasper strolled in wearing training clothes.
“You brought me a sparring partner?” Tegan looked at Kai with delight.
“Well, I know you can beat me easily, but I figured you needed an actual challenge to brighten up your day.”
Tegan looked at him in wonder. Kai had accepted she was the better fighter and had brought someone of the same skill set to make sure she was training properly. Impulsively she reached up and kissed his cheek. “Best present ever,” Tegan grinned. Kai flushed and huffed in pleasure.
“You ready or are you still moping about?” Jasper greeted her with a wink.
“I’m ready,” Tegan answered with a smile as she swirled the kali stick in her hand, taking up her position.
A while later both she and Jasper were on the mats, Kai sat a few feet from them. “I’m exhausted just watching that,” Kai admitted.
Jasper barked out a laugh as he sat up. “Next time you want to impress a female, I recommend you spar with her yourself.” Getting to his feet he offered a hand to Tegan, pulling her up from the floor.
As they tidied the training room, Tegan looked at the broken kali stick. “I think Headquarters has a bad batch of these,” she said conversationally, “they keep breaking.”
“Stop breaking them on my back then,” Jasper quipped, yelping in pain as Tegan poked him sharply in the side with the broken stick.
“Elite Sentinel Tegan, Elite Sentinel Jasper, you are wanted in the Principal’s study,” a Sentinel called from the door.
“What did you do now?” Jasper groaned as they headed to the doors. Tegan waved goodbye to Kai, agreeing to meet him after.
“I didn’t do anything,” Tegan laughingly replied, her smile faded as she remembered the burning hall. She hadn’t done anything. She had stood there helpless, as it burned around her. She frowned as the guilt washed over her.
When they got to the study, Jasper knocked on the door sharply before walking in. Tegan’s feet dragged when she saw Tove sitting in a chair, Marcus standing behind her.
“Tegan, come in,” Salem ordered quietly.
Tegan closed the door behind her. Looking around the room, Tegan saw Sloane sitting on the window-seat, staring out into the woods. Michael sat behind his father, Commander Bryce sat in the other chair. Movement to her left made Tegan realise that the Dark Cast Prime was also here, he almost blended into the shadows.
“We await Prime Cast Becker,” Salem informed them. A knock on the door and Garrick walked in, his red robes seemingly brighter in the room.
“What’s this about?” Tegan asked quietly, although she knew it had to do with Cord.
“I told you all something the night of the ball,” Tove began, “about the Castor, but you didn’t listen.”
“That’s not true,” Tegan protested. “Events happened and this is the first time I have seen you.”
“You went to him.” Tove snapped in the quiet room. “You went to help him, after I told you he had been killing my kind.”
“It was probably the bond,” Michael answered, defending his sister. “Their bond is ridiculously strong.”
“Their bond is probably a lie,” Tove answered her eyes never leaving Tegan’s. “Another lie of the Castors.”
“I’m not bonded?” Tegan looked to Marcus. That didn’t sound right, she knew the pull that there was to Cord, it was more than physical.
“I don’t know yet,” Marcus admitted. “It could be a trick as Tove says.”
“Castor?” Sloane’s voice was heavy with contempt. “His name is Cord.” Sloane looked at Garrick. “You’re his Prime, can he fake a bond?”
“He could,” Garrick admitted. “But he has not,” Garrick looked at Tove. “I have tested the bond myself, I truly think it is unbreakable.”
“As have I,” the Dark Prime said. “It’s fascinating to study.”
“Regardless of the bond,” Tove snapped angrily. “You went to him and then he took you.” Tove stood. “Where did he take you?”
“I’ve told everyone this, we portalled to Prince George,” Tegan’s eyes darted around the room. All eyes were on her.
“Where?” Tove pressed.
“A street in Prince George,” Tegan swallowed. “I’m not familiar with it.”
“Prime Cast Garrick, can you explain portalling to my charge?” Tove asked the Crimson Cast Prime, her hard stare on Tegan.
“Portalling is complex, but broken down simply, the Castor merely has to envisage where they want to be.”
“I know this,” Tegan almost rolled her eyes at Tove.
“Tell her, Prime Cast Becker, tell her that a Castor has to have been to the place to portal there,” Tove stalked across the room. “He has to have been there before in order to return.” Tove threw something at Tegan’s feet. Tegan felt her blood run cold as she recognised her mother’s underskirt from her ballgown.
“What are you trying to say, Tove?” Tegan snapped, feeling defensive.
“He portalled you to the alley where you killed the Drakhyn when you came through Prince George with Leonid.”
“That means nothing,” Tegan scoffed. “There was to be a raid there before Cord caught the Drakhyn in the woods, he would have gone there for surveillance purposes.”
“No surveillance was carried out, Tegan,” Marcus sighed, despair heavy in his voice. “Cord captured the Drakhyn before I had told anyone where they were to go.”
“So, what are you implying? Cord was there the day I fought the Drakhyn?” Tegan laughed. “So what?” She looked at the room’s occupants. Garrick’s lips were pursed, Sloane was nodding along with her, Michael was frowning, Tove and Marcus both looked like they were pitying her, the Dark Cast Prime looked bored and Salem was sitting in silence, his face a blank mask.
“He’s been killing Lycan,” Tove almost screamed at her. “Sacrificing them to Velvore, for more power.”
“He doesn’t need more power,” Tegan cried incredulously throwing her hands in the air. “He has more power than he knows what to do with,” she admitted hopelessly.
“Did you ask him about my kin?” Tove demanded.
“Yes,” Tegan looked away from her fury.
“What did he say?” Marcus asked.
“That he could explain,” Tegan bit out.
“He admitted it?” Tove sank in the chair, her eyes wet with unshed tears.
“No, he said he could explain,” Tegan stressed to the room.
Tove turned to Salem, “I think you have heard enough?”
“Heard what?” Tegan looked at Salem in fear.
“He knew where she was, he knew when she was to arrive, he captured the Drakhyn with no witnesses – he blinded her so she couldn’t see. He was the only Castor left in the hall, he took her back to the alley, kept her away from her family and he’s admitted killing Lycan.” Tove took a deep breath. “He must be the one who let them in, Principal.” Her eyes flicked to Tegan once. “Castor Cord Ivanov is working with the Drakhyn.”
“No!” Sloane shot out of his seat. “He would never!”
The room erupted into chaos as Tegan stood silent. The room was too loud, she needed silence.
“Child.” A cold finger slipped under her chin, tilting her head up to look into ageless eyes. “What is it?” the Dark Castor asked her. The room quietened, he looked at her and she could feel him trying to get past her defences. A flash in her vison and he stumbled backwards. “Even now, he protects her.”
“Lucas that’s impossible,” Garrick moved forward, peering into Tegan’s eyes.
A knock on the study door and a female entered. Raven black hair in an elegant updo, a white skirt suit, her blood red lipstick and whiter than white complexion told them all she was one of the Made.
“Kateryna?” Marcus asked in disbelief.
“Lycan Marcus,” her voice was heavily accented. “Where is he?” her eyes scanned the room imperiously.
“Is father with you?” Tegan asked eagerly.
“You are the child he stays for,” ice blue eyes accused her.
“Kateryna, I am Principal Elder Salem Holt, welcome to the Canadian Headquarters,” Salem rose from his seat.
“I know you,” her eyes swept the room again. “Where is my husband?”
“He left to go to you weeks ago,” Tegan answered, fear rising in her heart. “He sent a fire message to say he had reached Siberia.”
“Reached Siberia, but he has not reached me,” the Vampyre frowned. “Give me details,” she demanded turning back to Salem.
“Leonid left to go to you,” Tove spoke instead. “but before we deal with that, we need to deal with the traitor.”
“He isn’t a traitor!” Sloane shouted desperately. Tove ignored him.
Everyone started talking at once, the noise too much for Tegan. Turning, she walked out of the study. Walking briskly she headed to her room, passing empty rooms.
“Little tiger,” his voice came from the shadows.
Tegan turned to him. Cord emerged from the darkness of the room.
“Cord!” Despite everything the surge of relief she felt at seeing him was overpowering. He smiled at her in return. “Cord, my father is missing and Tove thinks you are working with the Drakhyn!” Tegan blurted, her hands covering her mouth in shock at her lack of composure.
“He’s here!”
Tegan heard Tove yell and then she heard the sound of approaching footsteps.
“Come with me, I’ll explain,” Cord held his hand out to her.
Tegan looked at it uncertainly, her eyes running over him. His black fatigues and dark grey shirt looked dirty, his hair dishevelled, his face gaunt.
“Tegan – don’t,” Michael said softly from behind her. Tegan looked at her brother – Salem stood behind him, his eyes pleading with her to stay.
“You’re a murderer,” Tove hissed.
“I probably am,” Cord said softly.
“He isn’t here,” Kateryna’s heavy accent said into the quiet. “A trick I haven’t seen for centuries. You are strong, Castor.”
“You’re not here?” Tegan asked in confusion, he looked real.
“Come with me,” Cord held his hand out again. “Little tiger, do you trust me?”
“No,” Tegan whispered, her eyes filling with tears as she looked at him. “Not even a little bit.”
“Good,” Cord smiled softly, his hand extended again.
“Tegan, no!” Salem cried as Tegan reached out.
Cord became solid for a moment, his warm hand enclosing around hers. “I’ve got you, little tiger,” he promised before they portalled away from Headquarters.
To be continued…
If you enjoyed this book, it would mean so much if you considered writing a short review and sharing it on your normal retailers site or anywhere else you wanted to share your love of this story and all places books!
Reviews are helpful to other readers, but mean even more to authors, and I would appreciate it so much if you took a moment to share your love of this book! If you do leave a review, email me, or message me on Facebook and let me know and I may even share it on my website or social media.
Eve x
To my friend Kimberley, you are a great editor and an even better friend. I kinda stum
bled into your life, made a pest of myself, then kidnapped you and declared I was keeping you. Not just for your babies, although they are very very cute, but when I think about it… probably for your mum, whom I love completely. Seriously though, you know you made the right choice when you made me your BFF. Okay, I am incapable of being serious. Thank you for your encouragement and friendship - and for telling me that this was a wonderful story. I cried when you told me that. Thank you.
Jay Jay; the cover is amazing. The next cover is amazing. You are amazing. Thank you for continuing to give me beautiful artwork. Thank you for continuing to laugh at all my middle of the night messages asking if you can do things - which of course, you can!
To my Beta team - you rock. I was so apprehensive about this book. I was sure it wasn’t good enough. You ladies were so supportive and your enthusiasm was amazing. So a special thank you to my special team. You are so patient with my impatience and you fill out my questionnaires whilst reassuring me, that I am not a freak…
To my ARC team - thank you for your enthusiasm, your reviews and your continued support.
To my dear Mr M - I know you absolutely hate the idea that you are going to read a book with vampires, werewolves and magic in it. But I also know you are going to read it, even though I told you that you could skip this one, but you won’t, because that’s not who you are. I love you for the fact you looked outraged when I suggested you skip this one, I love you for the fact you are already waiting to order this in paperback and I love you for the fact you will sit down and you will read this book from cover to cover. Your support keeps me going, your love keeps me strong and your snoring keeps me awake… damn… I ruined it, didn’t I?
And finally, to you, my readers. You have no idea how much it means that you are there, eagerly waiting for the next book. Thank you and yes… I’m already writing.
Eve L Mitchell lives in the North East of Scotland, in the UK. She writes under a pen name, because otherwise her Secret Agent status will be revoked. Eve started writing in 2018, with her first book “Indian Summer’ published in January 2019 - and hasn’t stopped writing since.
Into Darkness: The Akrhyn Series (Book 1) Page 28