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“Not usually on a good day,” Cord quipped back. “But the pull could not be ignored.” He dipped his head as if he had admitted a great weakness.
“Did you know the attack was coming?” Council Elder Warren asked, his eyes steadfast on the young Castor.
“No.” Cord ignored the outbursts of disbelief. “I knew something was happening, and I thought it was for Tegan. I did not know whatitwas.”
“And your concern for her was so great, you returned her alone, in the woods, weaponless?” Tove barked, clearly disbelieving him.
Cord gave a mirthless laugh. “I thought I was leaving her with a friend. With an ally. Someone she trusted and someone who would rather die than cause her harm.” He looked Tove over with contempt. “I was clearly wrong.”
“You struck the female Holt Heir?” Council Elder Alexander asked curiously.
“She had one of her Lycans put a blade to the Heir’s throat,” Cornelius revealed furiously, “while she held a knife to my Heir’s throat.”
Cord bit his tongue, angry that Cornelius knew this. His eyes flicked to Marcus, and he knew he too had been hoping that this was not disclosed.
“You would have harmed them?” Council Elder Anika asked Tove.
“She would not harm me.” Tegan stepped forward. “I cannot defend Tove Dalgaard’s actions of that morning, but I can defendher.” Tegan looked over to the Lycan. “She would not hurt me. It is how the Castor was able to bring Marcus.”
“You called her bluff?” Council Elder Carnain guessed.
“If you want to phrase it that way?” Tegan replied uncertainly with a glance to Salem for reassurance. Salem gave her an encouraging smile that she had answered correctly.
“Tove, what have you done?” Council Elder Novack asked. His accent was heavy, but his words were clear. “I do not think even Pack Law can help you.”
“I am her alpha,” Marcus spoke up. “IamPack Law.”
“Tove has not had a pack in so long she no longer knows what it is like to be a member of anything,” Council Elder Farsin scoffed. “She is a wanderer. A nomad. Now, clearly a liability.”
“That is not so,” Marcus protested. “Yes, she has no real pack anymore, not in the Lycan sense, but Leonid Novikov and Tegan Novikov Holt are her pack. The pack shechoosesand she also continues to answer tome, her alpha.”
“Shechoseto put a blade to her pack member’s throat!” Council Elder Marguerite said in indignation.
“It was a mistake.” Every eye in the room swung to Cord. “I used my power on her, and I may have…over egged it.”
“What?” Council Elder Warren looked at Cord with amusement.
“I knew Tove was angry at me in the ball when the Drakhyn attacked. I knew she was coming for an explanation, and I knew I was not yet permitted to tell of my hunts.” Cord didn’t break eye contact, although he was more than aware of Tove’s disbelief across her face. “When I saw her in the morning of the Drakhyn fight, I fed her a little of my power to calm her down.”
“But it would have reacted with her alpha link,” Marcus said, quickly grasping Cord’s crude attempt to save Tove from punishment. “You essentially pushed her into overdrive.”
“I am not skilled in the workings of the Lycans, and for that, I ask that you forgive me.” Cord bowed slightly to Tove. “You would have never attacked as you did. I know you were worried for your charge, and I miscalculated.”
“You’re lying,” Tove spat.
“If he is, he is doing it to save your skin, female. I would think carefully before you speak again,” Council Elder Alexander warned her. “Sisters, does the Castor lie?”
“Yes,” they answered. “About most things.” One smiled slyly at Cord, who laughed despite himself. “But the truth has not been fully concealed in what he has spoken today.”
Cord inclined his head and smiled at the Three.
“You called us here in regards to the Heir’s disappearance, the Lycan’s betrayal, and what else?” Council Elder Marguerite asked waspishly.
“We were hoping we could learn more about the Drakhyn attack?” Prime Castor Garrick asked. The Great Council all remained silent. “Sisters?” he asked the Three who sat demurely, looking at their hands. “No one can shed light on what is happening?”
“This is not a full sitting of the Great Council.” Council Elder Warren stood. “When we convene for a full Court, we can discuss your theories.”
“Theories?” Salem asked, stupefied.
