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When he opened his eyes, she was gone. His Mark tingled faintly, and Cord sat back down at his desk, his attention no longer on the spell in front of him, but on the open window and the Akrhyn female who had left through it.
Tegan sat in her seat, Heir to House Holt. Sloane sat beside her as one of the Elders of her territory. He had passed his final Trial only yesterday, and they had wept together knowing how proud Michael would have been of him. Then Martha and Zahra had gotten them incredibly drunk on something called raspberry gin. It was a human drink, and as she sat with her hand over her eyes, trying to ignore the thumping of her head, Tegan knew the humans could keep their drink.
Zahra sat beside her, their arms loosely linked. She had to stifle her laughter as she watched Tegan and Sloane both slump in their seats, looking incredibly green.
Salem sat in the middle of the half circle table. The Great Council was in session.
Zahra had not been nominated for election to the Great Council, for which she had been overwhelmingly relieved. Dark Prime Castor Lucas had tried to assure her it wasn’t because she wasn’t worthy, it was because many Akrhyn felt she wasn’t ready. Zahra wholeheartedly agreed. She had almost fainted when her father had told her Tegan had suggested her, even as TeganandSloane argued she was perfect for the role. The only way she had been able to get them to stop was to agree she would consider it when she was older.Mucholder.
Akrhyn had nominated and elected one of the Made, Nathanial. He had apparently been the first one out from the Court and had held Cord upright as he saved his brethren. Nathanial had also fought the traitors inside the Court with his Queen and had been pivotal in so many of the Made being saved. He originally came from the Australian Territory and seemed to be very quiet, but Zahra noticed his eyes missed nothing, and she noticed his gaze would land and rest on Tegan for longer than she liked, but she did not feel malice from him. Her sister was the source of most Akrhyn’s focus, whether she wanted that attention or not.
Salem went through the list of the agenda items, the gathered Akrhyn listening intently. They sat before them in rows and rows, packed tightly together, witnessing the first Great Council after the war. Zahra looked at the seven males and knew in the human world, women would be protesting at the lack of female representation. But this was not the human world, and most of the males on the Great Council had a very strong, very independent female by their side. Garrick and his wife, Miriam; Elrick and his wife, Misty; Leonid and his wife, Kateryna; Marcus had Tove; and Salem with his two daughters, Tegan and herself. Only Lucas and Nathanial had no females, but the Vampyre was incredibly handsome, and Zahra did not think he would be alone for long.
Her gaze settled on the Sisters, and she frowned. The Three sat to the side, their heads dipped down, and Zahra was sure one of them was sleeping.
“Right,” Salem spoke, his voice cracking, and he cleared his throat. “That’s the routine business, and now for two more matters before we appoint the new Prime Castors to the Casts.” Salem paused. “As Akrhyn, we have lost a lot recently.” His throat closed with emotion, but he continued on, “Our Houses are in disorder, our people need time to grieve, and we need time to rebuild and to learn to trust again. We will hold the Winter Trials next year, when we are ready.”
A murmur of agreement rang through the Akrhyn gathered.
Salem’s eyes fell on Tegan, and she hurriedly straightened in her chair, her face apprehensive. “As I am now a Council Elder, I cannot be Principal Elder of the Northern Territory. I nominate my Heir to take my place.”
There were some murmurs among the gathered Akrhyn. She was only eighteen after all, but could anyone match her in battle? The youngest ever Elite Sentinel, bonded to the Mark of Velvore, trained by the legendary Leonid Novikov, who else would be better than her to lead the Territory? Who else was strong enough to crawl through fire to save their Mark?
“I second the nomination,” Leonid said easily. “You are ready,” he told Tegan.
“I third the nomination,” Nathanial said, his voice strong and sure.
Tegan opened her mouth to protest, but Sloane nudged her, warning her to keep quiet. Tegan slumped back in her chair, her hand tightening on her sister’s, who fought to hide her grin.
The rest of the Great Council agreed. Tegan Novikov Holt was the Principal Elder of the Northern Territory, at eighteen.
Salem turned to Garrick and Lucas. “The Crimson Cast and the Dark Cast are leaderless now that their predecessors have been appointed to the Great Council. Council Elder Lucas, Council Elder Garrick, have you any nominations?”
Council Elder Garrick looked over the crowded room. “I nominate Pure Castor Jameis as Prime for the Pure Cast.”
Pure Prime Castor Rorik’s head snapped up in surprise as his protégé stared at him in shock and embarrassment.
Council Elder Lucas spoke over the loud whispers of the Akrhyn. “I nominate Pure Castor Rorik as Prime of the Crimson Cast.”
Rorik stood, his confusion plain. “Council Elders…I…I do not understand.”
Council Elder Garrick spoke. “Your constant striving to maintain balance between the Dark Cast and the Pure Cast is well documented. During the war and the battle, you were never influenced by either side, your own beliefs never interfered with yourduty. You are a true neutral, Rorik. Crimson Cast needs a Prime like you.”
Rorik sank back down to his seat, still too stunned to argue.
Salem looked out over the Akrhyn. He had seen him slip in moments before, standing at the back. Waiting. “I nominate Castor Cord Olezka Lebedev as Dark Prime Castor,” Salem said as he met Cord’s stare, causing the entire crowd of Akrhyn to spin in their seats to see the Mark of Velvore.
His dark Sentinel fatigues fit him well, his hair was still too long and fell in his eyes, his face as always, impassive, a cold mask. Casually, Cord made his way to the centre of the room, his expected usual arrogance showing in the slight smirk on his face. Mockingly he bowed to the Great Council, his eyes lingering on Nathanial for a moment before he smiled at him in recognition. “I accept,” he said as he turned slightly to see Zahra sitting with her sister and his brother. He smirked at the trick his little tiger had played on him even as she studiously ignored him.
“The Great Council’s business for today is done.” Salem stood, calling an end to the proceedings. None of the Akrhyn moved from their seats, their eyes trained on the Mark of Velvore.
The Three stood and crossed the room to him.
As one, they bowed, and hastily all the gathered Akrhyn stood and then bowed too.
One did not. She did not stand. She did not bow.
Cord held her stare when she finally met his gaze before he turned to the Sisters. “I am no Ancient, you need not bow to me.”
