“I’ll keep him to my quarters,” Marcus muttered to Salem as he passed with Cord bound in front of him, a heavy stare of disappointment for Tegan as he passed.
“Come, Sentinel,” Salem ordered as he walked into Headquarters after the others. They passed Michael and Sloane on their way in, Sloane’s eyes were wide at the sight of his brother bound in front of Marcus. Michael’s concern for Tegan was evident and she once again found herself unable to return a questioning look because of her guilt.
Salem and Tegan walked in silence until they arrived at his study, he held the door open for her and she walked inside. She did not sit and he did not ask her to. Salem sat behind his desk and waited for a short knock on the door before it opened, and Bryce the Elite Guard Commander, walked in. He didn’t sit either but stood opposite Tegan, disapproval apparent on his face.
“Sentinel Tegan, you will explain to me and your commanding officer exactly what you were thinking this evening when you disregarded a direct order and left the grounds,” Salem’s stare was hard as he looked at her.
“I was patrolling with Sentinel Jasper; the Castor came out to tell Sentinel Jasper that he had been selected for the raiding party in Prince George tomorrow. The Castor also informed me that the raiding party was to be male Akrhyn only,” Tegan kept her stare straight ahead, forcing her voice to be controlled. “The Castor asked me to join him in a search in the woods. I know there are Drakhyn out there, I can feel them watching us, so I went.”
“You were ordered to remain in the grounds and patrol the perimeter,” Bryce said.
“I was,” Tegan agreed.
“So, you know what your obligations to the Guard are and what your orders were?” Bryce pressed.
“I do,” Tegan kept staring straight ahead.
“And the Castor, he did nothing other thanaskyou to join him?” Bryce asked, Tegan flicked her eyes to her commander before looking straight ahead again.
“He did not,” she hesitated.
“What is it?” Salem asked.
“He doesn’t use powders or potions, he can Cast with no aids,” Tegan blurted out. “Everyone tells me he can’t, but hecan, he produced a fireball tonight with hardly a thought,” she took a shaky breath. “He can Cast, and I feel it. I went with him because he was going no matter what I said,” Tegan’s stare dropped to her feet.
“You went to protect him?” Salem asked sceptically.
“Sort of,” she hesitated, “and because I wanted into the woods, I wanted to patrol properly,” Tegan admitted.
“Your honesty may be your downfall,” Bryce grunted.
“And how did you catch the Drakhyn?” Salem asked.
“I didn’t, Cord did,” Tegan’s frown showed her displeasure.
“Did you intend to catch one?” Bryce asked.
“No,” she sighed. “I merely wanted to patrol, gauge how many were out there and report back.”
“How did he do it?” Bryce asked.
“He sent a blinding white power-ball into the clearing,” Tegan answered bitterly. “I couldn’t see and when I could, he had it in his hold.”
“You didn’t see the capture?” Salem asked as he leaned forward and rested his elbows on the desk.
“No, I couldn’t see anything for a few moments. I am sure that’s how he got the creature, it would have been more blinded than I was.”
“And did he use any potions or powders?”
“No, he simply made it.” Tegan replied, frustration edging her tone.
“And you say you can feel this?” Salem enquired.
“Yes.”
“Every time?” he pressed.
“Whenever I am near him, yes.”