“There are still Drakhyn above, brother!” Sloane snapped angrily. “Who was she with?”
“She is alone.”
Sloane knew his mouth was hanging open, his shock even more evident. Movement past him drew him to his senses, and he grabbed the Principal Elder, who was launching himself at the Castor.
“No, Salem, don’t!” Sloane struggled to keep the Elder away from his brother. “Cord will have a really,reallygood reason why he did what he did.” Salem was deaf to his words, and Sloane used all of his strength to keep a hold of the older male. “Don’t you, brother?”
“I have no explanation that I can give you.” Cord bent to help the Commander to his feet. “But I can get you out of here, or I can leave you? I’m only here for my brother.”
“He’s not serious,” Sloane added hastily.
“I think he is deadly serious,” Salem spoke calmly. “Get us out of here, Castor, so I can go find my daughter. If anything”—he took a deep breath—“anythinghappens to her because of you…”
“You do not need to threaten me, Elder, she will be fine.” Cord held Commander Bryce in his arms, holding the injured Akrhyn up. “I left her near…friends.”
“Drakhyn?” Bryce asked hesitantly.
Cord’s look of disgust made Bryce wince. “Tove.” Cord snorted as he held his hand out to Sloane. “Although Tegan may have better chances with the Drakhyn,” Cord muttered under his breath.
Sloane clasped his hand and pulled Salem with him. “We’re ready.” They portalled instantly. Sloane looked around the Castor’s visiting room. “We’re still in Headquarters?”
“Yes,” Cord answered tersely, his face twisted in concentration as he assessed the Commander’s wound. “I can help a little with this,” he told him quietly as he placed his hand over the wound. The Commander’s breathing became more even. “Better?” Cord asked and was rewarded with a relieved nod from Bryce.
“Why, brother?” Sloane asked impatiently as he looked around the room again.
Cord held his hand up and listened.No, she wouldn’t.He shut out the whispers of the Principal and the Commander, concentrating on his inner senses. His head snapped up as his eyes narrowed. “Your daughter is intent on getting herself killed.” Cord glared accusingly at Salem.
“She’s here, isn’t she?” Salem paused in securing some of the weapons that were in the room.
“Yes.” Cord spun on his heel and grabbed a bottle from the desk and a pouch of powder. “Stay here. Donotleave this room.”
“I’m going with you,” Sloane demanded.
“I need you to stay here, you’re all weak. I sense Drakhyn, but I will not be able to get to them if I have you with me. I will get Tegan, and then we can get out of here.”
“How can we trust you?” Bryce asked as he sank further onto the bed.
“You can’t.” Cord vanished.
“Well, that’s not comforting,” Bryce snorted.
“My brother can be counted upon.” Sloane clasped his arms behind his neck as he stood immobile in the room, his head drooped in defeat. They would always question Cord. No one trusted his brother, not entirely. He had a formidable power, and he was one of the most conceited Akrhyn Sloane had ever met. He knew what they said about Cord, that his arrogance came from Cornelius. They were mistaken. Cord was not Cornelius’s son, so how couldanythingcome from him? No. Cord’s arrogance came from his mother. Delilah was just as haughty, with the same superior attitude. Whereas his brother had a right, in as much as anyone had a right to be conceited, Delilah did not. Her looks once made her beautiful, but the permanent sneer on her face now marred that beauty.
“You sure, Sentinel?” Bryce scoffed.
“He can,” Salem affirmed. Sloane looked at him, slightly surprised. Salem saw his look and grimaced. “He can be trusted because you are still with us.” Salem checked his weapons. “He would not leave you.”
“He left Tegan,” Sloane mused.
“There will be a reason,” Salem said reluctantly. “I may have to beat it out of him, but there will be a reason.”
“I can hold him down?” Sloane smiled.
“You would aid me?” Salem asked in surprise.
“He left Tegan out there alone.” Sloane rolled his eyes at his Principal. “I am no happier about that than you are, so yeah, you want to pummel it out of him? I’m all for it.”
“I knew there was a reason I preferred you.” Salem winked. “You coming with me?” he asked as he headed for the door.