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“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. “Sheisexceptional 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 the 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.”
* * *
Teganand 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.”
