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“It is sealed,” Martha confirmed. She had no Castor Flare, but she was perfectly capable of mixing ingredients and had learned a long time ago the secrecy spell to ensure privacy.
“Join us.” Salem stood and pulled out a chair for the elder Akrhyn. Once she was settled with her own teapot, all eyes turned to Salem. “Cornelius Ivanov has abducted Council Elder Alexander and is working with the Drakhyn. The war we are preparing for has already started.”
* * *
Dark Prime Castor Lucas Chernov had been Prime of his Cast for a number of years, and little surprised him. However, the fact that Tegan and Marcus had gained so much ground had startled him, especially when he had to portal twice to intercept them.
He had been prepared for their attack—a Sentinel who didn’t attack something appearing in front of them with no warning was not a Sentinel. As Lucas checked his shoulder one more time for blood, he ruefully admitted perhaps more warning needed to be given before sneaking up on these two Akrhyn.
“It is merely bruised?” Marcus asked as he scanned the trees for any disturbance.
“Yes, my own fault,” Lucas told him as he fixed his robes.
“It was,” Tegan agreed. “Be grateful I pulled back in time.”
“Hmm.”
“What’s happened?” Marcus asked quietly as he continued to survey their surroundings.
As Lucas quickly explained the developments of the last day, Marcus kept quiet, but Tegan was struggling to keep her composure.
“So Cord was right?” Tegan demanded after the Dark Prime Castor was finished.
“We think so.”
“Tove was sure someone had let the Drakhyn into the ball that night,” Tegan said to Marcus. “She accused the wrong male.”
“He let them in.” Marcus shook his head slightly. “I know he is cold and unhinged, but to let them in? I can’t believe it, I accept it, but I just can’t quite believe it.”
“To knowingly cause death to our brethren, to allow Drakhyn to ravage our numbers, it is a thought not worth considering. But consider it we did,understandit we cannot,” Lucas told them.
“And the Vampyres?” Tegan asked.
“Not as simple,” Lucas admitted. “From what we can gather, the Vampyre Court has been calling them back for a number of years. It is possible they cast the spell themselves. If they did, we do not know the spell or how to break it.”
“Which is why Cord wanted to break Solitude.” Tegan nodded in understanding. “Only a Vampyre would know the secrets of their Court.” Tegan looked at Marcus. “Father would not have condoned this.”
“No, he would not,” Marcus agreed. “It seems Leonid may have come to harm under the hand of a Vampyre,” he added darkly.
“Which is the only way they could best him,” Tegan snapped. “His guard would have been down.”
“It was a trap,” Marcus agreed. “So do we leave the Court?” he asked Lucas.
“No, Leonid Novikov is part of the Prophecy, and there will be many Vampyres who are not aware of what is happening.”
“And us?” Tegan asked. “We were attacked on our way here.” Quickly she recounted the events with the Darkness.
Lucas listened, and as he did so, his fear grew. When Tegan was finished, he looked between the two of them. “I cannot tell Cord this.”
“I know.” Tegan nodded in understanding. “Get my father free, lift the spell, save only thosewithus in this fight. The Vampyres love to remind us how old and wise they are and that time is their companion not their end.” Tegan’s look was heated as she looked between the two males. “Remind our kin that the time for watching on the sidelines is over. They either fight or they die.”
“Harsh words,” Marcus murmured.
“Harsh times,” Tegan bit out sharply. “This war has begun, and we are already losing.”
“Agreed,” Marcus said with conviction. “We can no longer afford to be playing catch up. Are we to continue on to House Ivanov, and if so, what are our instructions?”
“Your assignment has not changed. Just keep yourselves safe while you investigate.” Lucas hesitated as he looked at Tegan. “And try not to draw too much suspicion on yourselves.”
