As they tidied the training room, Tegan looked at the broken kali stick. “I think Headquarters has a bad batch of these,” she said conversationally, “they keep breaking.”
“Stop breaking them on my back then,” Jasper quipped, yelping in pain as Tegan poked him sharply in the side with the broken stick.
“Elite Sentinel Tegan, Elite Sentinel Jasper, you are wanted in the Principal’s study,” a Sentinel called from the door.
“What did you donow?” Jasper groaned as they headed to the doors. Tegan waved goodbye to Kai, agreeing to meet him after.
“I didn’t do anything,” Tegan laughingly replied, her smile faded as she remembered the burning hall. Shehadn’tdone anything. She had stood there helpless, as it burned around her. She frowned as the guilt washed over her.
When they got to the study, Jasper knocked on the door sharply before walking in. Tegan’s feet dragged when she saw Tove sitting in a chair, Marcus standing behind her.
“Tegan, come in,” Salem ordered quietly.
Tegan closed the door behind her. Looking around the room, Tegan saw Sloane sitting on the window-seat, staring out into the woods. Michael sat behind his father, Commander Bryce sat in the other chair. Movement to her left made Tegan realise that the Dark Cast Prime was also here, he almost blended into the shadows.
“We await Prime Cast Becker,” Salem informed them. A knock on the door and Garrick walked in, his red robes seemingly brighter in the room.
“What’s this about?” Tegan asked quietly, although she knew it had to do with Cord.
“I told you all something the night of the ball,” Tove began, “about the Castor, but you didn’t listen.”
“That’s not true,” Tegan protested. “Events happened and this is the first time I have seen you.”
“You went to him.” Tove snapped in the quiet room. “You went tohelphim, after I told you he had been killing my kind.”
“It was probably the bond,” Michael answered, defending his sister. “Their bond is ridiculously strong.”
“Their bond is probably a lie,” Tove answered her eyes never leaving Tegan’s. “Another lie of the Castors.”
“I’m not bonded?” Tegan looked to Marcus. That didn’t sound right, she knew the pull that there was to Cord, it was more than physical.
“I don’t know yet,” Marcus admitted. “It could be a trick as Tove says.”
“Castor?” Sloane’s voice was heavy with contempt. “His name is Cord.” Sloane looked at Garrick. “You’re his Prime, can he fake a bond?”
“He could,” Garrick admitted. “But he has not,” Garrick looked at Tove. “I have tested the bond myself, I truly think it is unbreakable.”
“As have I,” the Dark Prime said. “It’s fascinating to study.”
“Regardless of the bond,” Tove snapped angrily. “You went to him and then hetookyou.” Tove stood. “Where did he take you?”
“I’ve told everyone this, we portalled to Prince George,” Tegan’s eyes darted around the room. All eyes were on her.
“Where?” Tove pressed.
“A street in Prince George,” Tegan swallowed. “I’m not familiar with it.”
“Prime Cast Garrick, can you explain portalling to my charge?” Tove asked the Crimson Cast Prime, her hard stare on Tegan.
“Portalling is complex, but broken down simply, the Castor merely has to envisage where they want to be.”
“I know this,” Tegan almost rolled her eyes at Tove.
“Tell her, Prime Cast Becker,tell herthat a Castor has to havebeento the place to portal there,” Tove stalked across the room. “He has to have been there before in order to return.” Tove threw something at Tegan’s feet. Tegan felt her blood run cold as she recognised her mother’s underskirt from her ballgown.
“What are you trying to say, Tove?” Tegan snapped, feeling defensive.
“He portalled you to the alley where you killed the Drakhyn when you came through Prince George with Leonid.”