He should tell him. He was his best friend, more than a best friend, a brother. If Michael was the true Heir to these Headquarters, then there was no doubt that Sloane would be his Second. They would work together like his dad and Marcus did. Sloane was an exceptional Sentinel, and he would make a fine Elite. They both would. They were destined for this. Michael just had never been sure if Sloane was destined with Zahra, and now? Now he may not have to worry about that.Would Sloane be happy knowing he was free?
Michael sighed again, his thoughts continually returning to the fact that he needed to tell Sloane. He knew what he had to do, he just didn’t want to do it, his loyalty to his sister warring against his loyalty to his best friend. Getting off his bed, he headed for the door. Sloane would be wherever Tegan was. Their friendship was coming along really well, and Michael was slightly jealous with how easily his sister was bonding with her cousin.
He shook his head remorsefully. Poor Tegan. Related to one Ivanov and bonded to the other. With how much she openly disliked Cornelius, she hadn’t picked the best brothers to be friends with.Not that she had any choice in it, he thought ruefully.
Michael headed to Sloane’s room, but loud noise at the bottom of the stairs drew him towards the main hall instead. Headquarters wasn’t known for being noisy, especially after the recent attack. Akrhyn were subdued, mourning their losses of family and friends. His father was pacing in front of two Sentinels, and he looked ready to kill both of them. Michael ran down the stairs. Salem Holt did not lose his temper, especially with his Sentinels. Commander Bryce was also beside him, and he too looked ready to skin the Sentinels alive.
“Dad?” Michael asked quietly.
“Have you seen Zahra?” Salem demanded as he saw his son standing unsure on the stairs. “Since I saw you, have you seen her again?”
“No, you left to go find grandmother. I thought she was with you.” Michael looked at the two Sentinels. “Why?”
“I cannot find her,” Salem said through clenched teeth.
“Well, she’ll be with grandmother then?” Michael shrugged. He felt uneasy as both his dad and Bryce shared a look. “What is going on?”
Laughter sounded from the hall as Tegan and Sloane came up from the library. “Hey, what’s going on?” Sloane asked as he took everyone in.
“Is Zahra with you?” Salem asked although he looked to Tegan as he spoke. Her laughter died, and her face lost her easy smile.
“She’s gone?” Tegan asked as she walked quickly up to Salem.
“I think so,” Salem admitted as his shoulders slumped.
“And the grandmother?” Tegan asked.
“Gone too, I think,” Salem’s voice was a whisper.
“Where is Marcus?” Sloane demanded.
“Hunting,” Bryce answered.
“Hunting what?” Sloane asked calmly, although he was picking up on the tension of others, and he wasn’t sure he wanted the answer.
“They cannot be gone, someone would have seen them leave,” Michael said, his voice too loud in the quiet hall.
“These two, you mean?” Salem glared at the two Sentinels.
“Where is Tove?” Tegan asked suddenly. “She is exceptional at hunting, let her try.”
“She went with Marcus.”
“Can someone tell me what is going on?” Sloane asked quietly. “It’s Zahra, we all know she was going to go as soon as she had a reason to.”
“Dad?” Michael spoke up, dread blooming in his gut. “I need to talk to you.”
“Not now, Michael,” Salem said brusquely.
“No, dad, I need to talk to younow.”
Salem looked at his son and saw fear in his eyes. “My office. All of you, now.” His scathing look for the two Sentinels halted them in their tracks. “Not you two. Go report to Elite Sentinel Jasper.” Salem strode quickly to his office, his hand continually dialling his daughter’s cell phone, praying to the Ancients that she answered him.
When they were inside the office, Sloane lost his patience. “What in Arflyn’s name is going on?”
“Talia Holt may be compromised,” Tegan said quickly. “She had a dream that she is going to help raise the next generation of greatness.”
“What?” Michael and Sloane said at the same time, turning to look at Salem.