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“Because Castor Ivanov scares me, and you told me to call you Jameis the last time you visited the Headquarters and sought me out during Reflection,” Kallie told him bluntly, ignoring the smirks from some of the Elite Sentinels.
Commander Bryce looked at the Pure Castor with a shrewd eye. “Is that so?”
“A momentary lapse, Commander, of course.” Jameis looked horrified at her honesty, but Kallie thought it served him right.
“Has anyone seen Michael recently?” Salem asked those gathered. “It is not like him to be away from Sloane for so long.”
“He was in the library with a Sentinel candidate,” one of the Elite offered. “They were taking Reflection, I believe.”
“Why would he be taking Reflection now?” Salem asked no one in particular as he made his way to the library. “Castor, are you well?” he called over his shoulder.
“I am, his powder worked,” came the gruff reply.
“Good, work through the Elite Sentinels in this group as you follow me,” Salem instructed as he walked through the foyer. “Leave some in case my son needs it.”
Salem hurried to the library and unceremoniously threw the doors open. Michael started up from where he had been sleeping. “Dad?” he asked curiously. He looked around the library. The desks were empty, and he was the only one on the couch. “What’s happening?”
Jameis strode forward and blew the green powder at Michael who instantly sneezed. Jameis muttered under his breath and stepped forward, running his hand over Michael’s head. Michael jerked away from him as he eyed him suspiciously. “What in the name of shade?”
“You have been spelled,” Salem told him grimly. “Were you alone?”
Michael tried to fight his blush, but his father caught it and opted to ignore it. “Briony was here, somewhere.” Michael looked around as he stood. “Who spelled me?”
“We are still trying to work that bit out,” Salem told him as he saw some of the Elite search the bookshelves.
“She’s sleeping,” came the call. Jameis hurried into the aisle, and moments later they heard muffled voices.
“Dad, what is going on?” Michael asked softly as the red-haired Sentinel emerged from the aisle looking slightly disoriented. Her eyes sought Michael’s, and she seemed to relax when she saw he was okay.
“I do not know. I will find out though,” Salem promised him. “As soon as I know where they went.” He turned and swiftly walked out of the library, Commander Bryce at his side.
“Kallie?” Michael asked the petite Sentinel beside him as they followed the Principal Elder out.
“Castor Ivanov was here. He realised we had been spelled. He was cleansing the rooms when he started demanding answers about Castors, then he ran after Castor Jameis, and Sloane and I found him choking him.” Kallie hesitated at Michael’s incredulous look. “Castor Jameis had also been spelled, and when he was no longer, Castor Ivanov asked why he had come here in the first place.” Kallie paused and wasn’t sure how to tell the Heir the next part.
“Tell me,” Michael commanded softly.
“He said he was here on the request of Talia Holt.”
Michael’s footsteps faltered, and then he hurried to catch up with his father. “Dad? Where are Cord and Sloane?”
“I have no idea. Cord reacted to something, the Ancients only know what, then he grabbed Sloane and was gone.” Salem angrily adjusted his sword on his back. “I am getting the Prime Castors to do my spells on these Headquarters next time, spells that the Castor cannot break!”
“He went to Tegan?” Michael guessed. “She must have been in trouble.”
“I agree.” Salem looked over to his son. “I know of no other that he would react like that for—his brother was beside him.”
Michael nodded, slightly pleased his father recognised that Cord was protective of Sloane. Others were so quick to dismiss Cord as cold and calculating, but he cared deeply for his little brother. You just had to know how to see it. “He will get them back in one piece.”
“One piece and alive is my requirement,” Salem mumbled as he entered his office. He called for Lucas and Garrick. Taking a seat behind his desk, he looked at the Commander, his daughter and Michael in the room. “Kallie, thank you for coming, but I think given this evening’s excitement, you can retire.”
“Of course, Principal. I shall check on Briony.” Kallie kissed her father’s cheek and then headed up to the sleeping quarters.
“Elites!” Commander Bryce called. “Double the patrols. Wake your comrades, and let’s get to work. Elite Sentinel Jasper, you stay with me.”
The door closed behind the Elites, leaving Michael, Jameis, Bryce and Jasper in the room. Salem studied the Castor. “Why would you come here for my mother?”
“Talia Holt is a friend of the Pure Cast. She spends time with the Elders once a month,” Jameis told him as if this was obvious.
