Into Darkness: The Akrhyn Series (Book 1)

by Eve L Mitchell

  Tegan bit her lip as she nodded. “I don’t think there were many,” she offered, flinching as she thought about those Akrhyn.

  “I still killed them,” Cord’s hand came up and rubbed his face as he closed his eyes in pain. “I still killed them,” he whispered into the night.

  “You saved so many others,” Tegan said quietly, trying to offer him support.

  “Did I? If it was your loved one, would you care that I saved some but not your husband, father, brother, son?”

  “Don’t think about this just now, we need to get back,” Tegan murmured soothingly. “I don’t suppose you know where we are?”

  “Possibly Prince George?” Cord ventured.

  “Why?”

  “I wasn’t really thinking, little tiger. I just knew I had to get you out of there.”

  “Why not Headquarters?” Tegan shifted under his weight slightly.

  “Because someone let the Drakhyn in and you aren’t safe until I know who it is.”

  Tegan stopped in the alley, rounding on Cord. “No one would ever,” her voice was quiet but determined.

  “What you think an army of Drakhyn managed to sneak in past the outside Sentinels?” His mocking tone was back, and Tegan had the urge to punch him.

  “Something happened, but I don’t believe it was an Akrhyn helping Drakhyn.” Her resolute stubbornness caused Cord to roll his eyes.

  “Fine, you can disagree with me, but for now, you’re not going back to any Akrhyn facility. Can we keep walking now?”

  “You can’t keep me away, Cord,” Tegan jabbed him in the ribs as she slipped under his arm again.

  “Of course I can, tied to a bed if I have too.” Tegan’s heart skipped and she looked at him as heat rushed to her face. “Control your thoughts, little tiger,” Cord’s satisfied smile made her cheeks burn harder. They came out onto the street, the cold weather had brought so much snow that it had been scraped off the sidewalk and piled high at the edges. They were in Prince George, Tegan recognised the street from the one she and her father had killed the Drakhyn.

  “There’s a diner,” Tegan said turning Cord as she moved, “not far from here, we can get heat at least.”

  In the streetlight Cord saw the blood on her head, grabbing his t-shirt he wiped the blood away. Tegan let him clean her forehead before glancing at his toned stomach, as he pulled his shirt down again.

  “How far? I think I need food,” Cord admitted.

  “We can’t pay for anything,” Tegan reminded him. “We have no money.”

  “No, but if I eat, I’ll get some energy, I will portal us out.”

  “That’s stealing, Cord,” Tegan looked at him, stunned at his easy attitude to stealing.

  “You’re so ridiculously innocent,” he muttered. “Take me there. I’ll work something out.”

  Grudgingly, Tegan led him to the diner a few blocks from the alley. They received a few curious glances when they entered but no one bothered them. They found a back booth and Cord looked at her closely.

  “You’ll need to go to the washroom and clean your face,” he said lowly as he cast a furtive look around. Tegan nodded and immediately rose, heading to the restrooms, her head low. As he watched her go through the door, Cord let out a breath and relaxed his posture, slumping with fatigue, he dropped his head into his hands.

  “You okay, honey?”

  Glancing up he looked at the waitress, an elderly human with grey hair tied in a bun and an unhealthy amount of make-up on her face. “I’m fine, long night,” he forced a smile.

  “Long night?” she laughed as she poured two cups of coffee, “it’s barely eight-thirty.”

  “Is it really?” Cord shook his head in disbelief.

  “Maybe you’re still partying from last night?” she winked when she saw Tegan coming back to the table. “I’ll be back for your order.”

  “Better?” Tegan asked, as she took her seat. Cord nodded as he drank down his coffee, reaching over he took Tegan’s and drank hers too. “Well, I didn’t really want mine,” she muttered sarcastically.

  “By Delfar I needed that,” Cord said as he set her cup down. “You’ll get more when she comes back.”

  “More? I would have liked some,” Tegan snapped.

  “Wow, you kids were thirsty.” The waitress poured them both another cup and Tegan snatched her cup to her before Cord could get it. “You ready to order?”

  “Two full breakfasts,” Cord ordered, handing over the menu. The waitress asked if he wanted sausage or bacon. She nodded and walked away when he answered both. Cord drank his coffee more slowly when they were alone.

  “I didn’t get the chance to look at the menu,” Tegan snipped.

  “I’ve seen you eat, you don’t care what you’re eating,” Cord’s smile hovered, and Tegan narrowed her eyes at him.

  “How do you feel?” she decided to ignore his remarks about her eating habits.

  “Slightly better,” he acknowledged.

  They sat in silence, the waitress filled their cups again with coffee and Cord asked for table water. Tegan marvelled at his familiarity with ordering and the humans – it was all so new to her. Their food arrived and they both ate in silence, Cord didn’t touch his maple syrup and Tegan after eyeing it for a while, took it and poured it liberally over her pancakes and bacon.

  “You eat like an animal,” Cord huffed in amusement as he watched her lick her fingers free from syrup.

  “Shut up,” Tegan ate more eggs. They finished in silence. “You feel better?” He had colour in his face again.

  “Yes, I do,” he sighed. “I’m still drained though, but I can get us out of here at least.”

  “We’re leaving?” Tegan looked at the waitress as she laughed with another customer at the counter.

  “Yes, wait here, I need to use the restroom.” Cord left the table as Tegan sat anxiously, worried about not paying. When he came back, he asked for the cheque and ignored Tegan’s wide eyes as he pulled out a wallet, placing the dollars in the billbook.

  “Let’s go,” he said urgently as he rose.

  “You stole someone’s wallet?” Tegan whispered furiously.

  “Not now,” he pulled her from the diner with a cheerful wave for the waitress. As they walked hurriedly down the street and ducked into the next one, Tegan heard the yell behind them. “Run,” Cord instructed.

  They both ran for the next two blocks before Cord had to stop, weaker than he wanted to be. He leaned against a wall, breathing heavily.

  “You okay?” Tegan asked, glancing over her shoulder.

  “I just need a minute,” he said as he leaned forward.

  “Cord, can you portal?” Tegan asked, her voice tense.

  “No,” he wheezed out a laugh.

  “Then we have a problem,” Tegan nudged him.

  Cord looked up and groaned as he saw the dark shadows dispatch from the dark alley across from them. “Oh, come on,” Cord groaned in frustration. “Are you serious right now, Velvore?” He threw an irritated look to the heavens.

  Tegan cast a quick glance to the sky and then frowned at him before turning her attention to the two, maybe three, Drakhyn across the street. “Run? Or fight? I only have my boot dagger,” she looked at Cord for confirmation. “Can you protect yourself? If you can’t, I say we run.”

  “We run,” Cord bit out. Grabbing her hand, he started to run up the street. They ran for longer than he was able. Tegan knew whatever strength he had gained from the food was depleting fast. They slowed down to a brisk walk when they approached a club. There were humans outside it, waiting to get in or just hanging around. “Act naturally,” he whispered to her, holding tight to her hand. He led them into the mix of humans and they were bumped and jostled as he pulled her through.

  Cord walked up to the door and looked at the doorman, Tegan saw the flash of notes being handed over and then Cord was pulling her into the club.

  “Where did that come from?” Tegan demanded as he led her further into the cl
ub. The music was loud and the place was already busy.

  “Don’t worry about it,” Cord said as he looked around. He grabbed her hand again and led them to the back of the club.

  “What are we doing?” Tegan pulled his hand to get his attention.

  “I need to sit down before I fall down,” Cord said absently as he searched for a table. “Here,” he yanked her forward until they were at a small table booth. He slid in, pulling her with him, the booth was small, they were pressed up against each other. Two bottles of beer and two glasses sat on the table, both half full.

  “I think someone is sitting here,” Tegan said into his ear. Cord nodded and slipped his arm around her shoulders, causing Tegan to stiffen.

  Cord looked at her as she stared at him in confusion. She had no idea what to feel. This whole night had been disastrous, from the ball, to the attack, to the alley, the diner – all of it.

  “Don’t hit me,” Cord whispered in her ear and then his lips were on hers.

  Tegan jerked back in shock, but Cord had slipped his hand to the back of her neck and he tightened his grip, holding her in place. He pressed his lips harder to hers, a warning in his touch.

  “Just leave them, baby, they don’t look like they want to be interrupted.” Tegan heard the voice and then the clinking of glass. Slowly Cord pulled away from her, she glanced at the table, the drinks were gone.

  “What is wrong with you?” Tegan pushed herself away from him.

  “I need to sit, they were going to try and take the table, I haven’t the energy to stand,” Cord sighed tiredly. “Have you got the energy for an unnecessary fight?”

  “No,” Tegan answered sullenly.

  “Exactly.” He tipped his head back and closed his eyes.

  “How long do you need?” Tegan leaned over and asked into his ear over the music.

  “Thirty minutes?”

  “I’ll keep watch,” Tegan said.

  Cord pulled her into him, his arm sliding around her again as he turned her so he his head nestled in the crook of her neck. “I can’t look like I’m actually sleeping,” he mumbled into her neck. His other arm caught her around the waist, he pulled her deeper into his hold. “Thirty minutes,” he mumbled and then with a sigh, he was asleep.

  Tegan shifted slightly, trying to get comfortable. As she waited for Cord to regain his energy, she had no idea what they looked like to the observer. She caught a few women’s eyes as they passed – some looked envious, some looked appalled, but most looked amused. If anyone approached the table, she would hold Cord closer, turning her head into his, her hair shielding them, offering a curtain of privacy. Time passed slowly but also was too fast, his slow even breathing into her neck was causing her pulse to race. He reflexively would grip her waist and pull her against him. Tegan’s hand had curled into his hair a long time ago and as she kept watch, she idly ran her fingers through the silky strands. Her other hand she trailed up his arm now and again, stroking his skin, occasionally squeezing his muscles. If she was honest, she had never felt so relaxed and comfortable.

  Tegan knew she should be appalled at what Cord was capable of. His power was astonishing to witness, he had unleashed the fire tonight and yes, it had depleted him, but his recovery time was quick. She knew that other Castors would be in bed for days and they wouldn’t have achieved half of his destruction. His ability to blend in with the humans and she suspected, pickpocket from them, was as abysmal as it was impressive. Her thoughts wandered back to the Akrhyn he had killed with his fire. Tegan tried to rationalise that they would have died at the hands of the Drakhyn, but it was still the case that it was Cord who killed them. It was a terrible thing to admit, but she hoped no one ever found out. Her mind drifted to Tove and her accusation of earlier. This was her first opportunity to think about it. Had he been killing Lycans? Earlier she would have said no, but after this evenings events she wasn’t so sure. So why am I still holding him? Tegan’s thoughts raced, there had to be an explanation. Tegan thought of his words to Velvore, not prayers, but like he was actually conversing with him.

  Another couple passed them, and Tegan turned her head into Cord’s, her eyes narrowing to slits to watch them as she pretended to be locked into a passionate embrace. Tegan had her first kiss tonight, not the chaste peck he gave her when he woke up in the alley, but here in the booth. He had kissed her and she had liked it. Cord shifted in her arms, his hold tightening, his lips moved over her neck. Tegan held still but when his head moved higher his warm breath tickled her ear. Without thinking Tegan arched her neck, Cord’s lips were at her jawline, his hands gripped her tightly to him.

  Tegan couldn’t breathe, she couldn’t think. Was he still asleep?

  “Little tiger,” his words had her freezing, Cord didn’t notice as he traced his nose along her jawline before dipping down to her throat. His warm lips caressed her softly and it was Tegan’s hands tightening on him as she felt a soft kiss on her collarbone. “When were you going to wake me?” His voice was laced with amusement as he softly bit her ear. It was the harsh slap of reality that Tegan needed and she jerked away from him. Cord sat back, grinning at her discomfort.

  “How long have you been awake?” Tegan asked as she avoided his eyes.

  “Not long,” Cord moved away from her. “Long enough to know you aren’t as disgusted as you pretend to be.”

  Tegan ignored him, “Are you better?”

  “I can portal us out of here, yes.” Cord rose from the booth.

  “Where are we going to go?” Tegan asked as she rose to follow him.

  Again, he pulled her into him, so they could speak over the music. “Who’s at Silver Lake?”

  “My house?” Tegan was confused.

  “Yes, who is still in attendance?” Cord waited for her to think.

  “Pyotr I think,” Tegan shrugged.

  “Perfect.” Cord took her hand and led her down a dark corridor. It was a lot quieter here and Tegan realised he was taking her to the restrooms.

  “Cord,” she pulled his hand but he ignored her, pulling her along. Tegan jerked her hand away from him. “Cord!” she shouted. Some human males were passing, she tried to avoid their attention.

  Cord turned swiftly and pressed her against the wall. His head dipped into her neck again. “Play along.” His lips were on her neck, more persistent than before, moving rapidly over her neck and up to her jaw. His kisses peppered across her jawline, shy of her lips, before moving to the other side of her neck. Tegan didn’t need to play, as soon as his lips were on her neck, her back had arched off the wall, her fingers threading themselves into his hair.

  “They’re gone,” Cord withdrew from her quickly. “Are you trying to draw unnecessary attention to us?” Cord scowled at her and then resumed walking again, pulling her behind him.

  “Stop pulling at me like I am an animal,” Tegan wrenched her hand free. “Can we talk, please?”

  “At Silver Lake,” Cord snapped.

  “Cord, this isn’t right, we are Sentinels, we don’t run,” Tegan hurried to catch up with him, keeping her voice low.

  “I’m not running, we are regrouping,” Cord said as he pushed a door open leading to the toilets.

  “Cord we need to go back to Headquarters, we need to see what the damage is – if there are leads,” Tegan stopped when she realised she was in the men’s room.

  Cord pushed open a stall door, his face wrinkled with disgust, but he pulled her in anyway. “Don’t look.”

  Tegan opened her eyes when she felt the wet snow on her face. She looked at the Silver Lake house and watched in disbelief as Cord marched with purpose to the house. Running after him she overtook him as he approached the door, glaring at him over her shoulder, she pushed against the door. It was locked. Cord was already at a window, reaching out he grabbed her hand and then they were inside.

  “Cord,” Tegan began but he held a hand up to stop her.

  “Go shower, get clean warm clothes, we’ll talk when you are back down,” h
e looked at her. “Can you take me to Leonid’s rooms?”

  “No,” Tegan barked at him. “I will take you to a guest room and get you some of father’s clothes.” She led him up the stairs of the house, noting that many of the rooms had dust sheets over them.

  “Pyotr is gone,” Cord observed.

  “It looks like it,” Tegan opened a door and stood back. “The guest room, I’ll see you downstairs.”

  Tegan quickly closed the door behind him before almost running to her own room. There were no dust sheets in here and she fought the urge to throw herself on her white bedding. But she was dirty, tired and impatient. Stripping off her filthy clothes, she kicked them into a corner as she unstrapped her knife holsters, tossing them onto the bed. Entering her bathroom, she turned the shower on and very gratefully stepped under the warm spray. As the heat seeped into her skin, she closed her eyes. Tegan knew she had to get back to the Headquarters. Her brother and Sloane would be frantic, Salem too. Washing her hair thoroughly, Tegan was eager to speak to Cord.

  Rushing into her bedroom, she came to a sudden stop. She hadn’t given Cord any clean clothing. Muttering under her breath, she grabbed the first clothes she could and after dressing, she hurried to her father’s room. His closet door was open and she walked forward, knowing without a doubt, who would be in there. Anger raced through her veins at Cord’s complete disrespect.

  Cord’s back was to her, he was pulling a shirt over his head, his back muscles rippled as he moved. Tegan drank in the sight of his toned broad shoulders, her eyes running down his back. Her gasp had him spinning around.

  “Little tiger,” Cord sighed.

  “The Mark of Velvore,” Tegan walked forward. “Let me see it.”

  “It changes nothing, Tegan,” Cord exhaled heavily.

  “Let me see it,” Tegan asked again.

  Cord turned and lifted the shirt. It took up more than half his lower back, the intricate pattern looked like a neverending knot at first glance, but the pattern was more intricate with other swirls and whorls woven through it. Her fingers traced the mark, it was slightly darker than Cord’s skin.