“Are there sides, Cord? Should there be sides?”
“You know what I mean, Garrick,” Cord slumped into a chair, his hands running into his hair as he thought. “A war is coming, I can feel it,shecan feel it, I just don’t know if it’s the same war we will be fighting.”
“What do you mean?” Garrick sat on Cord’s bed. Like the room, it was neat and tidy and he sometimes wondered if the young Castor actually stayed here, the room was so sterile.
“Tegan says she can feel the changes in the Drakhyn, she thinks they are massing, she thinks they are getting ready for all-out war,” Cord tipped his head back and stared at the ceiling.
“And you?” Garrick asked, “What do you think?”
“I think war is coming but it will have little to do with a Drakhyn uprising.”
“You think your father,” Garrick blanched at the glare he received. “Sorry, Cornelius. Do you think Cornelius’s supporters are that hungry for change, that they will wage war?”
“I believe it is coming,” Cord nodded. “Cornelius will not be dissuaded from his quest to reduce Lycan and Vampyres to lesser Akrhyns.”
“It is madness,” Garrick muttered. “His fanaticism over this has been well hidden, if you hadn’t told me…”
“I took a risk,” Cord murmured softly.
“Why me?” Garrick asked as he smoothed his robes, he almost felt nervous at the response, Cord was such a formidable young male, the reason could be anything.
“Because your wife is a Lycan, your sister Made, your children could be Lycan, yet you are a proud father, loving husband, diligent brother.”
“I’m glad I am sitting, Castor Ivanov, I never thought you would praise me,” Garrick laughed softly.
“I praise your family morals, not your Casting,” Cord winked at his superior, causing Garrick to let out a loud laugh.
“You are a strange young male,” Garrick looked at him with amusement. “Your power is unknown, seemingly endless – I do not understand it, I worry that you do not either.” Garrick stood. “I will keep a vigilant eye on Cornelius’s behaviour – this ball will be the perfect opportunity.”
“The ball,” Cord shook his head in disgust.
“Inappropriate I know, but he has the ear of powerful Sentinels,” Garrick ran his eye over Cord’s room again. “I need to discipline you for your actions tonight.”
“Sure,” Cord stayed where he was, his attention still on the world outside his window.
“You will Cast with the novices for the next three days,” Garrick suppressed his amusement as Cord straightened in outrage. “Powders will be used atalltimes.”
“Novices?” Cord’s scorn rang in the room.
“Yes, you can teach them humility,” Garrick’s lips twitched as Cord stared at him disbelievingly.
Just then a fire message appeared in front of Garrick, he plucked it out of the air and as he read it, Cord saw his frown.
“Don’t tell me, Jameis couldn’t make the Drakhyn talk,” Cord drawled lazily.
“No, he could not. They are asking for me,” Garrick conjured a fire message with only one powder, which was impressive for Castors – but not impressive for Cord.
“What are you telling them?” Cord demanded impatiently.
“That we will be there momentarily,” Garrick sighed. He held his hand up at Cord’s triumphant grin. “You will be humble, you will be deferent, you will bequiet,” Garrick watched the young Castor. “Cord, you need to at leastpretendthat you can be controlled.”
“I can pretend, Prime Castor Becker,” Cord bowed with reverence.
“I can still whoop your ass with a leather belt,” Garrick muttered as he reached out for Cord’s hand, he chose to ignore Cord’s low laughter as they portalled to the Headquarters.
* * *
The knockingon the door grew more insistent and annoying, Tegan rose from the bed, strode across the room and opened her door with little ceremony. Sloane stood on the opposite side, his arms crossed, his feet wide apart and his scowl looked misplaced on his usually happy face.