Her delighted laughter rang out across the room. The two of them concentrated on their sparring session, Sloane did take it more seriously and he got a few good hits in, for which he was grateful. As he lay on the mats with Tegan’s knee on his back and the kali stick being pressed across the back of his neck, he realised it was likely he would never best his cousin in combat.
“Well, this looks interesting,” Michael’s amused voice carried over the room.
The position that Tegan had Sloane trapped in, made it impossible for him to lift his head. “Michael, great, you’re just in time to see me best your lovely sister.” Laughing, Tegan got off of him, he rolled over and looked up at her. Tegan held her hand out to him even as he lay back on the mats. “I’m good thanks,” Sloane did a quick handspring, getting to his feet quickly. “You’re like a hellcat,” he muttered as he playfully swiped at her.
“That was fun,” Tegan smiled at him, happiness radiating from her.
“By Arflyn’s grace, if I knew you would look so happy, I would have let you beat me up with a stick about a week ago,” Sloane said quietly to her.
“You started without us?” Michael’s easy smile as he approached them was quickly returned by both Tegan and Sloane.
“I didn’t know we were properly training,” Sloane laughed. “But it was good, enjoyable.”
“Okay, well let me introduce you to our trainees,” Michael said as he turned back to the four Akrhyn. “This is Gable.” A tall broad shouldered Akrhyn stepped forward, his arms had definition but not the obvious muscle tone of Sloane or Michael.Or even Cord, his muscles were defined without being bulky,Tegan thought as she assessed the male. With sandy blond hair and a square jaw that didn’t offset the fact that his eyes were too close together. However, he dipped his head in acknowledgement and murmured the standard greeting.
“This is Jax, don’t let his height fool you, he’s fast,” Michael smiled at the shorter Akrhyn. He was shorter than Tegan, but he was stocky, and Tegan doubted his capability for speed, due to his top-heavy frame and shorter legs.
“This is Briony,” Michael indicated to the red-haired female, who nodded in greeting even as she assessed them coolly. “And this is Kallie.”
Kallie stepped forward and extended her hand to Tegan. “Hello, I didn’t get a chance to meet you properly.”
Tegan looked at the offered hand and then at the female in confusion. “None of you did, which is why Michael is introducing you now.”
Kallie’s hand slowly dropped, and Sloane stepped up beside Tegan. “In human customs, they shake hands when they are introduced or to say hello.”
“But I am not human?” Tegan looked at Sloane in bewilderment, she turned to Kallie. “Did you think I was human?”
“No, Elite Sentinel,” the girl flushed and looked to Sloane again for help. “It’s just habit.”
“Oh,” Tegan considered this and then smiled. “I’m Tegan, it is nice to meet you all.” A quick glance at Sloane who nodded in encouragement had her relaxing her shoulders more.
“Tegan has lived and trained apart from most Sentinels,” Michael explained to the others. “Although you are fitting in well at Headquarters, aren’t you?” He smiled encouragingly.
“Yes, I think so,” Tegan bit her lip as she thought about it. “So much has been happening since I got here, I am far from settled yet.” She looked at them as they stood in front of her. They were obviously unsure of her and little did they know, that actually went in their favour.
“Can you tell me why you were selected to attend to Zahra?” Tegan asked.
“We are close in age, we are not yet fully trained, but trained enough to be able to protect the Principal’s daughter,” Briony answered. “We come from different Houses, so Zahra didn’t know us. It was thought we would have little to do really, but it counts towards our final Trials.”
“How does it count?” Tegan asked curiously.
“We all want to be Scout Sentinels,” Gable answered. He had a deep pleasant voice which Tegan realised matched his appearance.
“I was not aware Scouts were being brought back,” Tegan looked at Michael who nodded in confirmation.
“The Great Council decreed it eighteen months ago,” he informed her.
Tegan tucked that information away, her father had never mentioned it and it was not an option she had been given. It was an option shewouldhave been interested in. “And how far are you from sitting the final Trial?” Tegan asked. A mixture of replies from twelve to eighteen months. Tegan grinned. “Well, let’s work on getting you there quicker.”
“You think you can train us to advance quicker than scheduled?” Kallie asked as she looked at her companions questioningly.
“Of course, you just need to train harder and be willing.” Tegan swung her arms back and forward to loosen them up. “I just turned eighteen and I am on the Elite Guard, anything is possible if you are willing.”
“You just… turned eighteen?” Jax asked her. He looked at Michael in confusion and back to Tegan. “Are you Heir?”
“We both are,” Michael’s smile was tight, and Tegan nodded along with him in agreement.
“That’s cool,” Jax said, his quick glance to the others betrayed his uncertainty.