“I did not know they could do that,” Tegan murmured to the shocked room.
“It plays more of its hand to impress you,” Cord said as he turned to her.
“Impress me? I think it hates me and made it quite clear,” Tegan pulled her hair over her shoulder.
“You put yourself in unnecessary danger,” Salem scolded.
“I was questioning it,” Tegan protested.
“You were doing well,” Cord murmured, “the hair was a move of brilliance.”
“Thank you,” Tegan looked at him as his eyes flicked to hers with a brief smile.
“Pity we couldn’t keep the other one here while he was talking,” Cord looked at Marcus, “it gave a lot away though.”
“It did, you did well Tegan,” Marcus clasped her shoulder as he left the room, passing Sloane on his way out.
“You did do well, although if there is a next time, can we maybe not flirt with the Drakhyn?” Sloane said as he pulled her into him.
“I wasn’t flirting,” Tegan laughed as he led her out of the room.
“I know, but you were all soft and playful and it played havoc with my sanity,” Sloane gripped her hand. “Come on, let’s go see Martha and see if she has any food for us.”
“Food for you, you mean?” Tegan smiled at him, before turning back to look at the room. “I should stay here, discuss what the Drakhyn said.”
“I am quite happy to never hear the words that thing said to you again,” Sloane admitted.
“Don’t be foolish, cousin, we made progress,” Tegan pulled her hand from his. “Words cannot hurt anyone.”
“Unless you’re a Castor and then they can hurt many,” Sloane muttered as Tegan went back into the room.
Salem, Cord and the older man in robes, who Tegan guessed was Cord’s Prime, stood talking quietly as Cord brushed the ashes of the Drakhyn into small containers.
“Tegan,” Salem greeted her again. “Prime Castor Becker and Castor Ivanov will take these ashes back and test them.”
“Test them for what?”
“I always suspected that the Drakhyn shared a hive mind,” the older Castor said as he watched Cord carefully collect ashes. “It’s something else to see it.”
“It was fascinating,” Salem nodded thoughtfully. “Less so when it’s happening in front of your child.”
Tegan shifted uncomfortably as Salem looked at her once before turning back to the Castors, realising perhaps what he had said.
“You think they will come in two days?” Garrick asked.
“I don’t know,” Salem sighed heavily. “Some were so sure that they weren’t organised to do so, but I don’t doubt them after witnessing that tonight, do you?”
“No, Elder I do not,” Garrick shook his head. “You did well Sentinel,” he said as he turned to Tegan. “I am not sure I would have had the quick wit you showed when you realised it was another talking.” He gave an embarrassed laugh, “I think I would have run for the door. One of the most sinister things I have ever seen.”
“I feel like I could have gotten more out of it if I had tried,” Tegan frowned. “I am surprised you let me in there with no one?”
“We couldn’t get in,” Salem scowled at Cord. “Castor Ivanov sealed the door and told us to trust you were in no danger.”
“Confident,” Tegan murmured.
Cord straightened from collecting ashes. “You had it handled, and if you didn’t, I was on the opposite side of the door.”
“I didn’t need you,” Tegan tossed her hair and then hated herself for doing so.