“I will.” Leonid opened the main door and looked out over the dark night, his Vampyre eyes seeing further in the dark than Tegan’s. “There is no need for you to come out any further, I will be quicker.”
“Of course,” Tegan felt the tears welling up and desperately fought them back.
Leonid held his arms out and she hurried into the hug from him. “Be strong, be swift, be safe.”
As the tears spilled over Tegan repeated the farewell to the only parent she had ever known. “Be strong, be swift, be safe.” Her father pulled her closer for a moment and then he was gone. Tegan stood in the doorway for a moment, before closing the door with a heavy sigh.
“Are you okay?”
She turned to see Sloane standing there waiting. “No, but I will be.”
“We’re waiting for you, so we can have ice cream.” Sloane held his hand out to her, “It’s salted caramel and you’re going to love it.”
Tegan smiled as she took his hand and didn’t protest as her cousin pulled her into a quick hug. “C’mon, I’ll let you have double scoops.”
The two of them headed back to the dining room, Sloane was quiet for which Tegan was grateful. Once they were back in the room, Salem asked one of the Sentinels to fetch the ice cream from the kitchen.
“You are okay?” Salem asked her and seemed slightly more at ease when Tegan nodded and straightened in her seat.
“I am fine,” she gave a rueful laugh. “Iwillbe fine.”
The bowls of ice cream arrived and the four of them ate in silence, before inevitably Sloane broke the silence. “Did I not tell you it was delicious?”
“You did, thank you.”
They all looked up as the door opened and a petite blonde walked in, followed by Michael. Her glare for Tegan was deadly before she turned her attention to Salem. “Well this is cosy. Not one day and already she’s in my seat? Tell medad, how many more of your bastards can we expect?”
Tegan was frozen for a moment before she registered that this was obviously Zahra, who was currently being chastised quietly by her brother.
“Bastard? I don’t understand the term,” Tegan turned to Sloane seeking clarification. Sloane’s face showed his displeasure and he flinched when Tegan questioned him.
“It’s an old term that humans used for children born out of wedlock, or also as a curse word,” Marcus explained to Tegan. “But I believe Zahra was referencing the former.” His stare was hard as he regarded Zahra who was still standing somewhat defiantly in the doorway.
“But we are not human, we are Akrhyn.” Tegan turned to the blonde. “Have you spent so much time with humans that you forget who and what you are?”
Sloane coughed out a laugh as he reached for his glass of water, but Tegan was watching Zahra closely. She was petite, short platinum curls framed her heart-shaped face; her eyes were a rich brown. She looked absolutely nothing like her brother or her father,or meTegan thought.
“Zahra, you will apologise immediately, to both Tegan and I,” Salem stood, his back straight and proud as he addressed his daughter.
“No.” Her tone was defiant, her spiteful glare pinned on Tegan the whole time.
“Go to your room,” Salem ordered. “Michael make sure she stays there.”
“Father,” he took his sister’s arm and as he led her to the door, he cast an apologetic look over his shoulder towards Tegan.
“Sloane, will you attend your betrothed?” Salem asked quietly.
“Nah, I’m going to take Reflection with my cousin,” Sloane stood extending his arm to Tegan. “I’ll show you the normal training rooms and the library – you know, give you a chance to appreciate it now that you’re not breaking into it?”
“May I take leave?” Tegan asked the two Elders. They both nodded and she stood, taking Sloane’s outstretched arm. Sloane walked her to the door but paused when Tegan looked back at Salem.
“It was never mother’s intention for us to meet,” Tegan explained softly. “I am only here for necessity. It was never her intention, ormyintention to cause you upset.” Bowing her head, she left the room with her cousin.
“Did you mean, Aunt Celeste?” Sloane asked as the door closed behind them.
“Yes,” Tegan let out a slow breath. “Mother kept diaries and when I was younger, father gave them to me so I could know her better,” she smiled sadly.
“Cornelius has told me and my brothers so many stories of his fearless sister, Celeste, as I grew up, but there was no mention of a pregnancy.” Sloane looked at his cousin. “I have a few favourite stories of hers. I can tell you them if you want?” Sloane offered hesitantly.