“And she is an Elite Sentinel, I am sure a walk around the grounds to familiarise herself withwhatshe is actually defending may be more beneficial.” Salem’s voice held no room for argument. The tone he used talking to Leonid wasn’t the unaware father of last night, but the Principal Elder of Headquarters.
“As you wish, Principal,” Leonid bowed mockingly before turning to Tegan. “At reflection tonight.” Leonid reached out, caressing the side of her face before turning and walking away from them.
“Sloane, did you steal food from Blythe? Again?” Salem just seemed to notice the bowls in their hands and the plates at their feet.
“She gave them to us,” Sloane answered as he bit into a slice of apple.
Salem closed his eyes before regarding them both, he caught the eye of a passing Sentinel. “Take these plates back to the kitchen for me and extend my apologies to Cook, please. Let her know I am dealing with the culprits.” The Sentinel had paled when he had received his instructions but did not want to argue with his Principal Elder.
“Principal,” he scooped up the plates and headed to the kitchen, although he didn’t seem to be in any hurry.
“I was still eating,” Sloane mumbled as he stood.
“Come, both of you, before I send you both back to her,” Salem didn’t wait for them to follow. “And, Sloane, you can tell me why you aren’t wearing a shirt.”
“I have it.” Tegan defended Sloane who was strolling along, unabashed at the looks he was receiving.
“And why are you wearing his clothes?” Salem immediately held a hand up. “Wait,” he sighed and closed his eyes briefly. “Sloane, do I want to know?”
“Her training clothes are sculpted to her; she was giving Kai and Darus an eyeful and it just wasn’t right.”
“But yet you are shirtless, and no one complains!” Tegan argued grumpily as Sloane only laughed at her.
“I’mcomplaining,” Salem reminded them both. “Go get dressed like a Sentinel who is two weeks from his Trials and not some green novice,” Salem turned away from him and motioned for Tegan to follow. “We will proceed with the tour of my Headquarters. Marcus is waiting for us.” Salem glanced behind him. “Now,Sentinel!” he barked at Sloane who turned and headed for the staircase. “Sometimes I wonder if he is too old for a good old-fashioned spanking,” Salem muttered.
Tegan let out a surprised laugh. “Like a child? Over your knee?”
“Act like a child, be treated like a child,” Salem smiled at her easily. “How was your sleep?”
“It was good, the pillows were so comfortable.” Despite her ease of a moment ago, Tegan felt guarded around the Principal Elder.
“Michael has left to go visit Zahra,” he informed her quietly. “Sloane will actually be annoyed he is missing the visit. She may need him.” Salem looked straight ahead as he spoke, but Tegan noticed the tightening around his eyes and mouth.
“You will not go?” Tegan enquired softly.
“Trust me,” he flashed her a grim smile, “Zahra will be here long before I am prepared to see her.”
“Why would Sloane be annoyed? Is she at another Headquarters? Or one of the Territories?”
“No, I’m surprised Leonid never told you, this will amuse him greatly.” Salem scowled as he thought of the Vampyre. “Zahra attends a human school.”
Tegan felt her eyes widen in surprise. “Oh. I did not realise that she guarded a human,” she tilted her head to the side as she considered it. “Is this human very important?” It was unusual for Sentinels to guard humans. Humans were widely left on their own, unless a Drakyhn hunted them or another supernatural.
“Zahra does not guard a human,” Salem nodded in greeting to Marcus as he joined them and the three headed along the halls. “She studies at a human school. Zahra chooses to live as one of them.”
Tegan knew her steps had slowed as she looked at the two older males. “I don’t understand? How does she train to study for Trials?”
“Zahra does not live as a Sentinel in training, she does not wish for this life,” Salem looked pained as he explained.
“At all?” Tegan could hear the shock in her voice as she stared in wonder at Salem.
“At all,” Salem confirmed.
“Although, she has consented to one tradition,” Marcus offered, and Salem cast a hard glare at his companion before he looked hurriedly away.
“Which is?” Tegan asked curiously.
“The betrothal ceremony. Zahra is to be bound,” Marcus supplied ignoring Salem’s grimace.