“This again?” Cord looked at her as he shook his head again. “Didn’t we have this conversation?”
“They say it isn’t possible,” Tegan levelled him with a glare.
Cord flicked his fingers and a perfectly round fireball appeared in front of them. Tegan took a step backwards in surprise. “Does this look like a lie, little tiger?”
Tegan bit her lip in consternation as she met his hard stare. She was too confused. Her father, the Elders, Michael and Sloane all said he would need aids, but he stood in front of her, with a fireball, having Cast it with just a thought. Tentatively she reached out and touched it, snatching her hand back when it burned.
“I would love to know what you thought you were achieving?” His dry humour caused embarrassment to flood her cheeks. “I would have thought the Vampyre especially would have taught you not to play with fire.” The fireball vanished; Tegan squinted as her eyes adjusted once again to the semi darkness.
“I was checking it wasn’t an illusion.”
“Parlour tricks?” Cord murmured, his face showing his surprise. “I didn’t realise you thought so little of me, little tiger.”
“You can do what others cannot,” Tegan answered.
“So can you,” he answered easily, his hand on her back urging her forward.
“I don’t know what you mean, and I told you not to call me that,” she frowned ahead as he ignored her and walked in silence.
“You shouldn’t be able to feel me Cast,” Cord said softly into the night as they walked, he pulled his hood up, shielding his face. “No one should, the only way a spell should be felt is if it is aimed at you. But you can feel me Cast, even when I am not touching you.”
“I thought everyone could,” Tegan admitted glancing at him once, before turning away, his hood pulled too low for her to see past.
“No, I have never experienced it before,” Cord admitted.
“Why don’t you need the powders?” Tegan asked quietly.
“I told you, little tiger, I’m just that good.”
She could hear his smirk and stopped herself from hitting him in frustration. “I was being serious,” Tegan said instead.
“So was I.”
“You’re so ridiculously arrogant.”
“Thank you,” Cord dipped his head in acknowledgement.
“It wasn’t a compliment!”
“Of course it was.” He stopped suddenly, they were at the closest point to the fencing and furthest from the building. “Do you trust me, little tiger?”
“Not even a little bit,” Tegan quickly answered, shocked at her own bluntness.
His low chuckle relieved her awkwardness, Cord held his hand out to her. “Come.”
Tegan looked at his hand and then the fence line, understanding dawning on her. “It’s against orders,” she whispered looking quickly behind her.
“Who will know?” The moonlight shone on his face, partly illuminating the daring smirk he wore, his eyes were still shadowed but she knew he was staring intently at her. She could feel the weight of his stare on her.
“Are you Casting?”
“Always.” His honesty surprised her. “Come.” Cord took a step forward to the fence line.
“We shouldn’t…”
“Oh, but we should.” Cord started scaling the fence.
Looking furtively behind her one more time and seeing no one there, Tegan started to climb.