“I would like that very much,” Tegan glanced at him as they walked to the library. “I am apprehensive to meet him.”
“Cornelius?” Sloane asked. “You should be, he’s madder than the Ancient Harrian.”
“You speak the Ancients names so freely, with no reverence,” Tegan admonished him. “You should show respect, cousin.”
“Tegan, when was the last time an Ancient was documented? I doubt even your father Leonid would have been alive. I know Marcus has never seen one of them and he’s a few hundred years old.” Sloane shrugged indifferently. “I think they’re made up fantasies of fanatics of long ago.”
“I think you should do extra Reflection tonight,” Tegan suggested quietly. “If what you say is true,” she carried on as they entered the library, “then how do you explain The Sisters?”
“Castors,” Sloane scoffed confidently.
“It takes more than magic to achieve the phenomenon that is the Sisters,” she replied as she took a seat in front of a large fire. “Have you ever met them?”
“The Sisters? No,” Sloane lounged comfortably on a couch, stretching his long legs out in front of him.
“I have, many times.” Tegan shook her head, “Trust me, they are more than Castors.”
“I have so many questions for you,” Sloane studied her intently. “But it would be wrong to ask without Michael present.”
“What do you mean? Do you need his permission to ask questions?” Tegan teased.
“No, but I want to learn about you, your life and it would be wrong to do so without him here. He is just as eager to learn about you as I am.” Sloane frowned as he looked away from her. “I’m sorry about Zahra, she was rude.”
“I didn’t expect her to like me, I’m a big shock when you think about it,” Tegan shrugged as she got comfortable on her seat. “I’m more surprised that Michael has been more accommodating and willing to know about me.”
“He’s a good Akrhyn, a great friend and a loyal brother, your first meeting with him was truly out of character for him,” Sloane sighed. “But I think you can see with how quick he has come around, that he’s a good Akrhyn.”
“It was quite a rapid turnaround,” Tegan admitted softly. “I must confess, I thought it was a trick of some sort.”
“No, there are no tricks.”
“This is strange,” Tegan admitted as she looked around the library. There were no other people that she could see, but it was a large room. There were couches on one side, situated around an open fire. Behind them were a few tables with chairs, and the remainder of space was taken up with bookcases. The large windows at the far end provided a clear view of night sky. It was very peaceful in here, she realised.
“What’s strange?” Sloane asked her as he watched her take in her surroundings.
“I’m usually in the training room with father during Reflection.”
“You had such an active day, I thought you would prefer someactualReflection tonight,” Sloane explained.
Tegan smiled at him in appreciation. “It’s nice, thank you.”
The door to the library opened and Michael walked in when he saw them sitting. “Hey, can I join?” he looked uncertainly at Tegan.
“If you wish.”
Michael came over and sat down beside Sloane. The two of them regarded her quietly.
“Salem tearing into her?” Sloane asked Michael as he lay back closing his eyes.
“Yeah, she’s crying so I left.”
“You don’t like to see your sister upset?” Tegan asked.
“Well no, but she isn’t upset. She thinks if she cries, dad will forgive her,” Michael shrugged uncomfortably. “He won’t though, her words and the way she treated you, are unacceptable.” He held up his hand as Tegan went to interrupt. “It’s a shock to us, I know that, we weren’t expecting you. But, Zahra well, she was unforgivable. I explained it all to her, but she obviously didn’t listen.” Michael sighed. “I don’t know if she will come around to the fact that you’re our sister.”
“That’s okay, I didn’t come to disrupt things. I have been placed here by the Great Council to do my duty as an Elite Sentinel. Anything else I get out of this will be a bonus.”
“If you didn’t look so much like us, would Leonid have told us who you were?” Michael asked as he watched her.