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As she climbed, Tegan realised that none of the spells were being activated, she could feel the low tingle on her skin from Cord, meaning he was doing something to interfere with the spells on the fence line. Alarm bells were ringing in her head; if he could do this with the Headquarters security, what did that mean? Was he able to do this anywhere? Is this why they were climbing and not portalling to the other side? Was he merely letting her know that hecould? And if he was, why would he share that with her? She was an Elite Guard; it was her job to ensure the fence was secure. Climbing up after him, Tegan found herself frowning at the Castor’s booted feet above her, he was such an enigma to her, she needed to figure him out – and do it fast.
When they dropped to the other side, Cord held his hand up to stop Tegan from talking. Exasperated that he felt the need to teach her how tohunt,she shoved him slightly as she walked past him. Moving silently through the trees they moved deeper into the woods, Tegan kept her eyes above her, searching out for the darker shadows that would indicate that there was Drakhyn present. She was convinced that they were in the woods, watching the Headquarters. Their behaviour was changing, gathering together to form a united front? Whatwasthat? Why where more people not discussingthis, instead of a stupid ball? The fact that a Drakhyn had come forward and spokeforthe gathered mass had caused deep unease within her. Then they made a demand? It was as if they were expecting tonegotiate.Drakhyn didn’t negotiate, they didn’t gather in groups unless they were nested and even then, it was four Drakhyn at most. They became incredibly possessive once a female was taken, it was not unusual for them to kill each other over the rights to claim or share a female for breeding. Everything she knew about Drakhyn, and whatallAkrhyns knew about Drakhyn, was being turned on its head – and all these Akrhyn could talk about was an upcomingdance.
Tegan shook her head in disgust. When she had questioned the nonchalant attitude, Salem had suggested that the seemingly blasé attitude was as a result of the anomaly that the Drakhyn had presented the other night, and Akrhyn expected them to conform to their expected behaviours. He had made it sound like a teaching exercise, like it wasshethat was overreacting instead of the Akrhyn failingtoact. Tegan had commissioned a visiting Castor to send her father a fire message, she had watched the Castor pull numerous powders from her hidden pockets in her white robes. Her distrust at the trick Cord had played on her growing into anger, but then, just now, in front of her, he created a fireball. The Pure Cast had used three different components for something as simple as a fire message and Cord simply wished a fireball into existence by thought. She was so confused at this point she needed some time to process.
Tegan was happy that she was fulfilling her purpose as an Elite Guard, but being in amongst so many Akrhyn, the constant noise, the seemingly disregard for their safety, the continuous questioning of simple things, like how was her day? These Akrhyn didn’t actually care about her day, so why were they asking? It was simply exhausting. She found that she was taking longer Reflection and just relishing the silence. Tegan pulled up slowly, holding her hand up to Cord, signalling that he stop. He didn’t of course, he moved up behind her, so close he was touching her.Whywas he always touching her? He made her uncomfortable, her skin tacky, her heart beat faster when he was this close. He was in danger of making her look like an unskilled novice and he hadn’t evendoneanything! Was this the curse? This bond, they said she had with him. Tegan didn’t need or want a bond; she didn’t want orneedCord Ivanov.
“What do you sense?” his voice was barely a whisper in her ear, the shudder that ran through her at his breath at her ear mortified her.
“Three trees to the north west, do you see the depth of shadow?” Tegan moved her head as Cord bent to hear her, her voice so low, it was a mere whisper of the wind. Cord’s head moved to the direction she said, his slight nod confirmation he saw it too. “You’ll follow my lead.” Tegan said with perhaps more force than necessary. She turned from him swiftly, knowing without seeing that he was grinning that mocking grin at her, the one that made her want to physically harm him.
Slipping into a running crouch, Tegan advanced quickly through the trees in the direction of the suspected Drakhyn. Blinding white light suddenly illuminated the woods, stumbling at the sudden assault to her senses, her eyes took too long to adjust to the brightness. By the time she had adjusted, Cord was holding a Drakhyn by the throat. Looking up, she saw a pure white glowing orb, giving off more light than the fullest moon on a starless night.
“Whatin the name of the Ancients areyou doing?”
“We’ve caught this vermin, let’s take it back now,” Cord held the Drakhyn effortlessly as Tegan looked around the lit area expecting more Drakhyn to appear and attack. “Take my arm, I’ll portal us.”
“Arflyn’s grace, you are going to get us both punished for this,” she hissed at him as she took his arm, which in itself was a feat. Cord may have held the Drakhyn, but it’s swinging talons were desperate to find purchase with either of their flesh.
“You should secure its arms,” Cord scowled at her, the reprimand evident in his tone.
Was hecriticisingher? “You caught it, you bind it.”
“Don’t sulk, little tiger, it doesn’t suit you,” his mocking smile had her turning her head away before she forgot he was holding a Drakhyn and she stabbed him.
“Tiger,” the Drakhyn hissed, its form calming completely as its wide black eyes focused on her. “Tiger,” it hissed again, a smile on its face.
“Donotspeak to her,” Cord muttered an incantation and the Drakhyn’s arms wrenched painfully behind it’s back, a howl of pain echoed through the night. Snatching Tegan to his side, Cord portalled them all to the grounds of Headquarters. “The wards won’t allow this into the building, fetch the Principal.”
Tegan was so sorely tempted to tell him where to shove it, she had heard Sloane say this earlier in the week and had been puzzled at the phraseology.Nowshe understood the sentiment exactly.
“Tegan, if you couldactuallyhurry?” Cord’s grey eyes rolled in exasperation.
Running footsteps drew both of their attention, Marcus reached them first, his fury evident at them both. Salem and most of the Elite Guard weren’t far behind.
“Principal, I have what you wanted,” Cord’s voice was tinged with laughter.He’s insane, Tegan thought. “Marcus if you could do the honours?”
Marcus stepped forward as the Drakhyn continued to struggle in Cord’s hold, it was almost shoulder level with Cord and he was careful to keep out of reach of the Drakhyn’s jaws. Marcus looked at the Drakhyn with distaste before he bit into its shoulder. The scream of pain was chilling in the quiet night, as the Lycans saliva worked into the Drakhyn’s bloodstream – it was widely known that a Lycan bite was immobilising to the Drakhyn. The Drakhyn slumped in Cord’s hold, the paralysis finally taking full effect, Cord dropped the creature to the ground as he stepped away from it.
Tegan’s fist shot out and connected squarely with his jaw and she had the brief satisfaction of seeing that he stumbled, she ignored the surprised gasp from the onlookers. Cord recovered from the unexpected blow, rubbing his jaw he glared at Tegan.
“What in Harrian’s fury wasthatfor?”
“You could have gotten us killed,” Tegan hissed. “What wasthat? Why don’t you tell me what in Velvore’s name, was that stunt you just pulled in the woods?”
“You wanted to hunt and catch a Drakhyn,” Cord shrugged, “we hunted and caught a Drakhyn.”
“You’re a fool.” Tegan’s fury mounted as she looked at the Castor. “We hunttogether, we watch each other’s back,together. We will only survive this fight if we respect who and what we have been taught and trained. You are reckless and dangerous, you don’t deserve to have passed your Trials, you are a rash, arrogant, conceited risk Castor, not only to this community but to yourself.” She stood back, her hands clenched at her sides in rage, her breathing short with temper.
“Reckless? You’re just as reckless as me, little tiger, you went with me – more than willingly,” Cord sneered at her.
“I went to scout for Drakhyn, I didn’t set out to humiliate my peers!” Tegan cried out at him. “It was ascoutingparty,” shaking her head she looked at him, standing so proud, soconceited, “I amnothinglike you.”
Cord rolled his eyes and crossed his arms as he looked at the Drakhyn at his feet in contempt. “Are we moving this thing into the dungeon or would you like me to take it back outside the gates?”
His sarcasm snapped a stupefied Salem into action. “Elite, take it. Marcus detain him, Tegan… you come with me.”
Marcus was on Cord before Tegan realised the Lycan had been prepared for the order. Cord didn’t struggle as she watched Marcus bind his hands behind him, she wondered why he didn’t portal out of the Lycans hold. Cord’s cold furious glare towards her made her look away, the intensity of it was too overwhelming, the guilt she felt at him being bound, too confusing.
