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“Cord or Castor Lebedev is fine,” Cord said distractedly. “Tell us, no, tell Dark Prime Chernov again how many Drakhyn stand outside the Court?”
As the Elite Sentinel relayed the figures, the completely overwhelming numbers of Drakhyn that were stationed outside the Vampyre Court, Cord felt the numbing disbelief rise once more. He knew why Rorik was sceptical; if he didn’t have the Mark of Velvore on his back, he would have been as incredulous as Rorik.
Drakhyn didn’tmobilise. Drakhyn didn’tformregiments. Drakhyn didn’t havearmies.
Cord needed the Texts. He needed history. He needed one who had been alive the last time a bearer of the Mark of Velvore had existed. He didn’t know what he was doing. Every day, he felt the Flare burn brighter within him, the power called to him continuously, demanding that he try it, test it,tasteit. Pushing the hunger to try down, he looked up and caught Garrick watching him. Cord looked away guiltily. His Crimson Cast Prime could see past his walls too easily. Cord did not have time for a mental breach, especially if it was his own.
“And they haven’t moved on the Court?” Cord interrupted the Elite Sentinel, hoping to distract Garrick’s attention off of him. “They just wait?”
“Yes,” the Elite confirmed.
“What in the name of shade are they waiting for?” Cord murmured.
“I thought that was the purpose of this meeting,” Lucas said dryly as he watched Cord with slight amusement.
“We need Council Elder Alexander,” Cord said for what felt like the hundredth time.
“He is in Solitude. You know we cannot disturb an Akrhyn’s Solitude,” Garrick reminded him.
“Why?” Cord asked irritably.
“You are Akrhyn, we do not need to explain this to you,” Lucas reprimanded him.
Cord huffed out in derision, but a wild idea was entering his head, and he looked at the three Prime Casts speculatively. “Am I?”
“Did you turn human overnight?” Garrick joked lightly.
“I am the Mark of Velvore.”
“We know, you told us,” Lucas drawled as he reached over for his wine.
“Am I stilljustan Akrhyn?” Cord’s eyes gleamed with mischief, and Lucas lost his smirk.
“Cord, do not do—”
Cord vanished.
“That?” Garrick asked wryly as he cut a slice of cheese and placed it on his plate.
“Where did he go?” Kraver asked as he looked in confusion between the Primes.
“To wreak havoc and desecrate an ancient sanctity,” Garrick answered as he picked up his food to take a bite.
“Shouldn’t you stop him?” Kraver asked in sudden understanding.
“Couldn’t even if we wanted to,” Lucas replied as he made his own sandwich.
“I don’t understand,” Kraver admitted. “Why would you not want to?”
“His approach is questionable,” Garrick explained. “His method even more so, but his result will be what we all want and need.”
“Meaning?” Rorik snapped from where he stood in the corner of the kitchen.
“Meaning, we all want and need Great Council Elder Alexander here, but we, as Primes of our Casts, cannot interrupt an Akrhyn’s Solitude. Even if we think heishiding.” Garrick chuckled softly. “But the Mark of Velvore? If he can walk in and take him, well, he has the Mark, who’s to argue it is not what the Ancients want?”
“You’re using him?” Kraver asked hesitantly. In truth, he was struggling to keep up with the two elder Akrhyn.
“Using him?” Lucas looked contemplative. “No. I wouldn’t say we wereusinghim.”
