Tegan froze for a moment, before resuming tying her laces.
“What does Tiger mean?” Sloane demanded.
“Me,” Tegan said as she stood. “It wants me.”
Marcus nodded sagely, “Cord and his Prime are in the dungeon, waiting.” Marcus watched Tegan as she checked her weapons. “Cord was able to get him to say a word, he said ‘tiger’,I thought Cord was going to kill it, we needed three Sentinels to get him out of the room.”
“Cord is here?” Tegan asked.
“Yes, we had to call him back,” Marcus’s tone revealed his displeasure. “I was hoping Castor Jameis would crack the Drakhyn, but it was not to be.”
“It doesn’t sound like Cord has either, if you need Tegan,” Sloane said as the three of them descended the stairs.
“True,” Marcus smiled. “I think that just made me feel better.” They continued down to the dungeons.
Tegan had not been there previously, but she knew where they were. Outside the dungeon, he waited. His back against the door, one leg raised propped against it, his arms folded, his head down. “Cord?” Tegan moved forward quicker. The pull to him hastening her steps.
“Little tiger,” Cord moved off the door. “I will be with you the whole time.”
“I’ll be okay,” Tegan smiled at his reassurance. His hand came up and stroked the side of her face, Tegan leaned into his palm. “It’ll be okay, it cannot get to me and even if it does, I am more than capable of killing it, Castor.”
“I know,” Cord’s smile was soft, “and I know you will.” He took a step back, surprised at his own intimacy with her – shaking his head as if to clear it, he quickly assessed her.
“I have all my weapons,” Tegan assured him.
“I know,” he nodded once as he opened the door, Tegan following him in.
Sloane turned and looked at Marcus. “Honestly, if I didn’t witness it, I wouldn’t believe it.”
“I don’t even think I have seen the bond that strong in Lycans.”
“Should we be concerned?” Sloane asked.
“I think it will be difficult to break it,” Marcus said as they walked to the door. “I would be surprised if he will even make itbend.”
“This is going to be messy,” Sloane mumbled as they went into the dungeon.
Tegan was at the door to the interrogation room, which was brightly lit, obviously to keep the Drakhyn subdued due to their sensitivity to light. Salem stood behind her, his hand on her shoulder, she felt comforted by the fact he was here, which puzzled her, but she didn’t have time to delve into her feelings. The Drakhyn sat with its head bowed, its taloned hands shielding its eyes from the bright light. It moved restlessly in the seat, its distress and uncomfortableness, obvious. Chains bound its arms to the table. The table was bolted into the concrete. It looked so similar to a human interrogation room, Tegan mused as she stood at the door waiting for the go ahead to go into the room. Cord was whispering quietly with his Prime, her instruction to wait for him. The Drakhyn looked up suddenly, staring at her place behind the door. A slow smile spread over its face and Tegan swallowed nervously.
It had been waiting for me. Why?Fed up with waiting, Tegan opened the door and entered the room, ignoring the startled cry of Sloane as she closed the door firmly behind her – her intent clear that she wanted to be alone with it.
“Tiger,” the Drakhyn hissed at her.
“That is not my name,” Tegan answered confidently as she approached the Drakhyn. “Why are you watching Headquarters?” she asked as she stood on the opposite side of the table. The Drakhyn merely smiled at her before turning its head and staring at the wall. “You don’t want to talk to me?” Tegan asked it softly. “Fine, I’ll leave. The Castor will come back in and he can make you talk… again.” The Drakhyn glanced at her quickly before looking at the door, its eyes went back to the wall. “He hurt you before?”
“Yes,” its hissing voice slithered over her skin.
“He can be ruthless,” Tegan shrugged as she watched the Drakhyn.
“You think your sympathy fools me?” The Drakhyn laughed. “I know your game, Tiger.”
“I have no game, Drakhyn, I merely state facts. The Castorisruthless and will not hesitate to make you talk,” Tegan took a steadying breath and then pulled the chair out from the table, sitting across from the Drakhyn. “But you can talk, and you seem to be able to talk to me, so why induce pain if you don’t need to?”
“You think your pretty eyes and silky hair will make me talk?” It sneered at her, exposing it’s pointed razor sharp teeth.
“No, but thank you for the compliment,” Tegan watched the Drakhyn carefully. “Is that why you asked for me, because you find me attractive?” The Drakhyn snorted again in contempt. “No, you’re too clever to fall for a pretty Akrhyn,” Tegan leaned back and looked at the Drakhyn. “You wanted to upset the Castor?” The Drakhyn failed to hide its smile. “It won’t work.”
“Itdidwork, he could hardly contain his rage, we were watching,” the Drakhyn replied smugly.