“She’s an Elite Sentinel, it is unlikely that she will want to compete in the games,” Salem replied.
“Cornelius’s house has been kicking our behinds for the last three years, if we can convince Tegan to join with Michael and I, we will finally wipe that smug smile off his face.”
“He is still your father, Sloane,” Salem reprimanded him softly.
“Technicalities,” Sloane dismissed the fact as he turned more fully to Salem. “She is your house. Michael and I need to test her to ensure she can keep up on the course, but I bet she can.”
“And this has nothing to do with finally beating your brother?” Salem teased the younger Akrhyn gently, laughing when Sloane shrugged.
“I suggest you don’t tell her you are making sure she can keep up with you,” Leonid commented drily from behind them.
“You’re as creepy as a Drakhyn,” Sloane growled. “I thought you were going to leave her be until Reflection?”
“I’m worse – I kill the Drakhyn,” Leonid flashed his fangs at the younger male, ignoring his other comment.
“You heard?” Salem asked in resignation.
“I will not interfere. If she wishes to join her brother and her cousin in the games, then she will.” Leonid watched his daughter talking animatedly to the Lycan. “She has already told him her list of things to improve?” he asked Salem.
“In the first ten minutes of stepping outside,” Salem informed him and was surprised when he saw the Vampyre smile.
“She has been eager to rectify them since she learned of her posting.” Leonid shot an amused look to Salem, “You have let the defences slip.”
“No, we haven’t,” Sloane interrupted. “You two are the exception – and is it any wonder with the way you drill her daily? When is she allowed her time?”
Leonid assessed the young Sentinel quietly. “You defend her when you know her not.” He surprised them both when he smiled at them again. “I wish I could stay to observe because you will be surprised.” He walked past them to his daughter.
Salem grit his teeth when he saw the way Tegan’s face lit up as the Vampyre approached. It was irrational but the surge of jealousy had him clenching his fist.
“I’m still going to make sure she can do it,” Sloane said stubbornly.
“Tread carefully, she may look like her mother, but I fear she may be the Vampyre’s daughter more than anyone else’s, no matter how much we wish it weren’t so,” Salem replied grimly as they quickened their pace to reach the group ahead. Tegan was talking animatedly to both Marcus and Leonid. It seemed she was explaining her reasoning to Marcus – she kept looking at Leonid, but he was content to let her talk, Salem noticed as they approached.
“So you see, if you were to implement eight Sentinels and shifts every four hours instead of four Sentinels for eight hour watches, you keep the perimeter better defended because you have sharper, more alert Sentinels ,” Tegan flashed a quick smile to Sloane before continuing, “and then if you replace the perimeter watch like this, the eight you have spare at any one time, can go out and through the woods and further the hunt. We came across Drakhyn in the daylight in Prince George. He was fully grown and fast, but in the daylight, it’s becoming more and more common – I don’t know how many I have killed this month,” Tegan paused for breath as she felt her father’s hand on her elbow.
“You know exactly how many you have killed, don’t you?” Marcus watched her closely.
“Forty-three,” Tegan shrugged after a quick glance to Leonid.
“Forty-three?” Sloane exclaimed. “Are you hunting nests? There’s no way you managed that number, it’s only the nineteenth!”
“They have started hunting in twos, it’s strange but I can feel the change and I know something is coming,” Tegan looked out over the trees. “Drakhyn in the daylight, pairing up on hunts, something is happening. There’s a change in the air and we need to be ready.”
“Did you tell the Great Council about your feeling?” Salem asked as he watched her.
“I did.”
“That’s one of the reasons they posted her here, isn’t it?” Marcus asked Leonid. “We’re one of the first Headquarters that would notice the change – if there was a change.”
“Tegan excelled in security and Council Elder Warren was most impressed with her skills,” Leonid’s pride shone through and again Salem felt the surge of jealousy.
“I have never seen Council Elder Warren revere anyone, except the Ancients,” Marcus was watching Tegan carefully.
“Father boasts a little,” Tegan said shyly. “All he said was that my Trial time in Security was impressive.”
“Alright, Tegan, we’ll sit down with the Elite Guard Commander and go through the security procedures,” Marcus declared. “If Warren thinks you’re impressive, I am ready to be impressed.” Tegan nodded happily in agreement and the two of them continued to walk through the estate grounds, talking quietly.
“The Lycan is happy,” Leonid murmured. “I didn’t think it was possible, anymore.”
Salem snorted in amusement before he could stop himself. “She has seemed to impress him.”
Leonid assessed Salem for a long moment, he glanced once at Sloane, who stood quietly beside them both. “She is exceptional Salem,” Leonid looked away from them all over the grounds and to the woods beyond. “I must leave soon, my Council calls to me, I can feel them in my blood. It stirs.”
“Even from here?” Sloane’s surprise was evident.
“Yes, the pull is getting stronger, Kateryna is becoming insistent,” a rueful smile from Leonid as he mentioned his wife. “But Tegan… Tegan is special, Salem. You must take great care of her.”
“She’s apparently the best Sentinel ever,” Sloane laughed, “I’m sure she will be fine.”
Leonid carried on as if he hadn’t heard Sloane. “She is headstrong, impulsive and will hunt down Drakhyn no matter the cost to her personal safety,” he sighed. “Very much like her mother in that respect.”
“I will keep her close, Leonid, you know I will.”
“Close may not be close enough,” Leonid frowned. “She is an Elite Sentinel now; she may be called to other posts. I don’t know how long I will be gone.” He gripped Salem’s arm as he drew him nearer. “I can feel it coming Salem. Whatever it is, she will be involved, I need your word.”
Salem looked at his old tutor closely and for the first time, saw wariness in the ancient Vampyres eyes. He had known Leonid since he was a child, his father’s father and countless more generations before them, had known Leonid since they were a child. Salem had never heard of the Vampyre being concerned, or seen him as he was now. “You have my word, Leonid.”
“Father? Is everything all right?” Tegan’s concern was evident. Leonid had been so focused on Salem he hadn’t even heard her approach.
“All is well. I must leave soon,” Leonid held his hand out to her, “Come, you have been out here long enough, one more sparring session before I take my leave?”
“Of course,” Tegan took his arm as offered and with a smile to the others, she and her father took their leave.
“What’s happening?” Marcus asked.
“He’s worried,” Salem said softly as he watched them walk across the grounds towards the building. “Something isn’t right and he feels it.”
“Did you believe him?” Sloane asked equally as quiet.
“He is a lot of things, many of his views I don’t agree with,” Salem admitted as the door closed behind Leonid and Tegan. “And keeping my daughter from me, I can’t forgive,” Salem sighed in resignation, “but he isn’t one to over embellish, or give warnings. I believe him.”
Marcus who had been looking at the perimeter fencing thinking on what Tegan had pointed out earlier had only been half listening, but his head snapped to Salem. “He’s worried?”
“You sound worried that the Vampyre is worried,” Sloane gave a low laugh as he looked between the two Elders.
“If t
he Vampyre is worried, we should all be worried,” Marcus said dryly. Salem looked at him and nodded his agreement.
“We need to increase the security,” Sloane muttered. “She’s just here and she’s causing changes. The other Elite’s won’t be happy about this.”
“Make it happen Marcus,” Salem directed as he started walking back to the building. “I need to prepare to speak to Cornelius… and Zahra will be on her way too. That I do not doubt.” His eyes swept over Sloane, “are you ready to see her?”
Sloane shrugged noncommittedly, “It’s always nice to see her.”
Salem’s mind raced over his conversation with Tegan earlier and he considered the young male closely but said nothing in regard to it. “Come, there is much to do.”
Tegan and her father sparred for three hours. They covered hand-to-hand combat, kali sticks and short swords. Leonid put the weapons back on the wall as Tegan lay on the mats, catching her breath. He glanced at his prone daughter, she was in her fatigues. Michael had left before providing her with the training clothing and Leonid had not wanted her in her usual training clothes. She was a beautiful young woman and the males had been correct earlier, her clothes were too revealing. Tegan would have thought nothing of it, as she gave no consideration to her looks, her hair was only long because Leonid asked her not to cut it. But he knew she would shave it all off if it meant she had a fighting advantage.
“You haven’t eaten enough today,” he said to her as he slipped the last kali stick into its holder, “or showered.”
“You’re saying that I smell, father,” Tegan laughed softly as she sat up from the mat.
“Not any more than usual,” Leonid smiled at her mock outrage. “Day one and you are off schedule.” He frowned but knew it could not be helped, it was a big change for her.
“I know. I tried to go faster during the perimeter check, but Marcus just kept asking questions.”
Leonid chuckled as Tegan rose to her feet. “You will have to curb your impatience, there will be many questions you need to answer.”
“I know,” Tegan pulled her braid over her shoulder. “When do you leave?”
“An hour or two.”
“So soon,” she murmured as she stood in the centre of the room.
“Go shower, clean up, I’ll meet you in the kitchen.” Leonid sighed, “We can meet the cook again.”
“I do not think she will want me in her kitchen,” Tegan admitted as she went to the doors of the training room.
“She will accept it,” Leonid said grimly as he followed Tegan out. “And even if she can’t, Martha will be here before you know it.”
As they left the training room, Tegan saw that Sloane was waiting for them. “You were in there for hours,” he complained.
“Training,” Tegan laughed at him. “You need to train with me. I can help you with your upcoming Trials.”
“Maybe I will,” Sloane slung his arm over her shoulder, ignoring Tegan as she stiffened again at the familiarity. “But, first, I am to tell you that Salem and Marcus wish you to dine with us.”
“Me?” Tegan looked to her father in surprise, slipping out from under Sloane’s arm.
“Both of you. They know Leonid is leaving soon,” Sloane explained. “And Blythe is refusing to feed me.”
“And you are invited, why?” Leonid asked as they all climbed the staircase.
“Because I am family,” Sloane replied easily.
“Only since Tegan arrived.”
“Yeah well, some people don’t need to be related by blood to be called family,” Sloane shrugged.
“You father does not want you in Seattle?” Leonid enquired.
“My father would prefer I wasn’t on this continent, but it is what it is.”
Tegan noticed Sloane’s smile was more forced and she reached out to him. “Well, I am here now, and you are my family. We can get to know each other.”
“I’d like that,” Sloane smiled at her and placed his arm around her again. “And I can get one of the girls to take you shopping.”
Tegan shirked out of his arm again and looked at her father. “Why do I need to go shopping?”
“Because you are more than just a Sentinel, cousin,” Sloane declared. “Now, we need to be back downstairs in,” he glanced at his watch, “ten minutes. Don’t be late.” He winked at her and disappeared into his room leaving Tegan and Leonid in the hall.
“He’s going to test your patience many times,” Leonid looked at his daughter, “Maybe he is more like his father than I thought,” Leonid teased as he opened his door. “I’ll see you downstairs.”
Tegan went into her room and took a quick shower. She left her hair in its braid, and merely changed into a clean training top and fatigues. She was waiting for both her father and Sloane at the foot of the stairwell ten minutes later. They arrived at the same time and she took the opportunity to study both males. Father was in his travelling clothes which made her sad as she finally accepted that he was leaving her behind. Sloane was in jeans and a black t-shirt. Tegan frowned; she had never had jeans. Was he not on duty tonight? she wondered. With the two of them beside each other, Tegan compared them, it was hard not to. Both of them were tall, her cousin was slightly shorter than her father, but Sloane was broader, his muscles more prominent. Leonid had light brown hair that was tied back at the nape of his neck, a fashion that was popular when he was younger. Sloane was golden haired, his hair cut short to the sides, a little longer on top and styled in a messy way, that she could only surmise was popular. The other two males from this morning, Kai and Darus both had their hair styled the same way.
“You’re staring at me like you’re trying to figure out how to kill me,” Sloane grinned as they joined her.
“Maybe I am,” Tegan replied, causing her father to chuckle.
“I hope that’s a joke. Come on, we are to meet in the small dining room.” Sloane led them to the dining room, it wasn’t the main one for formal entertainment, but the one the Principal Elder used for his family. Sloane walked in confidently, Leonid made a sound of disapproval and stood back to let Tegan enter.
“Your manners are lacking, young one,” Leonid murmured as he walked in after Tegan.
“Not so,” Sloane grinned as he took a seat. “My cousin is a Sentinel, I enter first to check the room is clear of danger.”
“Of course,” Leonid’s tone was mocking as he held a chair out for Tegan.
Marcus and Salem had been silent throughout the exchange, but Tegan noticed, Marcus was struggling to hide a smile at the young male’s quick wit.
The meal was pleasant, the cook didn’t make an appearance which surprised Tegan, but she was keen to see the servers because she knew they weren’t house staff; they were Sentinels. She caught a few of them casting her curious glances and she watched them back.
Dinner conversation was very much the Marcus and Sloane show, Tegan realised. Sloane knew how to make anyone feel at ease but had an uncanny ability to rile Marcus up about most things. She couldn’t determine if it was because he had such a good relationship with both Elders or because he didn’t like the Lycan. However, it was amusing and kept the conversation on lighter topics. Unfortunately, it couldn’t last all night and sooner than she wanted, her father had risen from his seat.
“Daughter,” his voice was low as he looked at her. “It’s time.”
Tegan’s head had been down, focused on her place setting but she nodded when Leonid spoke, pushing her chair back, she rose and went to stand by her father.
“Do you need anything for the journey?” Salem asked as he rose too.
“No, I have everything I need on me,” Leonid said as he pulled on his long travelling coat. “You’ll walk me out?” he asked, turning to Tegan.
“Of course, father.”
“I would be lying if I said it was good to see you, but you brought me a gift, so I will wish you a safe journey,” Salem’s words were quiet in the room.
“I am sure it wasn’t good t
o see me,” Leonid acknowledged. “Look after my daughter. Remember what I said.”
“I will,” Salem’s expression betrayed his thoughts on Leonid calling Tegan his daughter. “Tegan will be here upon your return.”
Leonid nodded and looked at Marcus, his eyes ran over the Lycan swiftly before he glanced at Tegan. “She trains daily in Krav Maga along with other martial arts. You were one of my most advanced students in my teachings – I would like you to train with her.”
“How advanced?” Marcus asked as he appraised Tegan.
“She reached black belt level when she was nine.”
“Nine?” Sloane asked. “What were you doing the rest of the time, playing with dolls?”
“Dolls?” Tegan frowned as she asked him.
“By Delfar, please tell me she knows what a doll is?” Sloane whispered to Marcus.
“I’m counting on you, Sloane,” Leonid addressed the young male, “to look after your cousin. She is innocent in the ways of Court and she has been sheltered in terms of social events. You will need to coach her, she is your family.”
Sloane had lost his relaxed manner as he listened to Leonid. “I take my responsibility to my family seriously.”
“I hope so. You need to shield her from your father.”
“That may be a job for us all,” Salem admitted dryly.
“Indeed,” Leonid conceded. “Tegan, come.” He walked from the room with Tegan close by his side.
“You are worried for me, father?” Tegan enquired as they headed to the main doors.
“Of course.”
“I have been hunting and killing for some years.” Her tone was slightly defensive, and Leonid smiled fondly at her.
“Your hunting skills I am not worried for, your people skills… may be lacking,” he admitted. “Your cousin, and I think your brother, will guide you. Listen to them.”
“As you wish,” Tegan sighed. She knew she didn’t have a lot of experience in social environments, but it wasn’t until this evening that she realised her father considered her to be so poor at it. “You will send a fire message when you are there?”
Into Darkness: The Akrhyn Series (Book 1) Page 9
