“Put him away from here,” Cord folded his arms over his red robes.
“You portalled him? Byhimself?” Tegan had never heard of such a thing, Cord’s power baffled her.
“What I did to the Akrhyn is of no importance,” Cord snapped. “Why are you letting him hold you? You’re naked!”
“I’m wearing a towel and he has seen me in more revealing clothes!” Tegan protested, meaning her training clothes. She wasn’t prepared for Cord’s cold fury or the utter stillness that came over him.
“I didn’t realise you were embracing your new life sofreely,” his look was one of scorn.
Tegan rubbed her forehead. “I don’t know what you mean. I don’t understand anything that is happening,” she muttered frustratedly.
“I think I was right in the training room,” Cord’s eyes narrowed. “I think you play games.”
“What games?” Her frustration at the situation was rising, her temper fraying.
“Woah, Tegan,” Sloane said from the doorway, “Why are you in a towel? And brother, you shouldnotbe in here, I don’t care if there is a mate bond.”
“I’m not the only male in the little tiger’s room, I just removed Kai.” Cord’s disdain was strong, his eyes never leaving Tegan.
“Tegan?” Sloane asked, coming in and closing the door behind him. He quickly crossed the room, unlocking the adjoining room door and opening it wide.
“I need you both to leave,” Tegan answered them, holding her head high. “I have to report on duty soon. I need to get dressed.”
“Now you want clothes?” Cord jeered.
“You are pushing me, Castor,” Tegan’s anger was rising. “I don’t know what in the shade you think I have done, or what it has to do with you, but you will leave my room. Now.” Ignoring his narrowing eyes, she turned to Sloane. “Cousin, I need my space back, please.”
“Cord, come.” Sloane grabbed his brother’s arm and pulled him through to his room, closing the door firmly behind him. Tegan swiftly crossed to her main door and locked it too, before leaning against it for a brief moment.
What hadthatbeen? Her head was a jumbled mess. The way Kai had looked at her was the way Cord sometimes looked at her, the difference being it didn’t make her feel the same way as when Cord looked at her like that. The whisper of Kai’s words in her ear didn’t give her skin the tingles that Cord did. But had that been his intention? Maybe Kai had just wanted a hug? Sloane hugged her all the time. Maybe Kai was nervous about tonight, the whole Headquarters were prepared for an attack.
Shaking her head, she hurried to get ready. She was an Elite Sentinel of the Elite Guard, she had to do her duty first, she would think about these bothersome males later.
* * *
Standing on guard with Jasper,Tegan was on full alert. The grounds had bright power-balls shedding light onto the grounds, lighting up the nearby trees, making it hard to hide in the shadows.
“It’s been dark for a while,” Jasper commented softly, his eyes alert as he scanned the wood beyond the fence.
“They’re waiting,” Tegan replied softly, “or we aren’t who they want. She may not even be here.”
“She’s here,” Jasper said with a quick look at her.
“You sound confident?”
“They wouldn’t have revealed so much if she wasn’t.”
Tegan nodded. “I agree,” she stomped her feet slightly. “It’s so cold tonight.”
“The Castor didn’t give you a warming spell?” Jasper asked in surprise.
Tegan gritted her teeth, Cord had given her partner awarming spelland left her to freeze.He was such an intolerable male. “Yes, of course, I’m just still cold,” she lied.
“You get used to patrolling in winter, you’ll be an old pro before February,” Jasper smiled at her. Tegan smiled back hoping he didn’t mention her lack of warmth in Cord’s presence. She was used to winter, patrolling in winter with her father, but she was alwaysmoving,not standing still in one place, allowing the cold to seep into her bones.
Movement in the trees had her smile dropping, she took a step forward. The tall Drakhyn from before walked confidently into the light, Tegan heard the murmurs and warning cries from the Akrhyn.
“He’s alone,” Tegan whispered to Jasper.