Salem rubbed his face with his hands. “She came to me, reminding me that she was the Priestess of Arflyn and that the Ancient had shown her a vision that Tegan would carry the chosen one and birth him.”
“That’s madness, she’s eighteen,” Sloane said as he shook his head in wonder.
“I would have told her much the same myself,” Tegan said quietly.
“Dad?” Michael asked.
“She told me, and I dismissed her. Then Marcus and I spoke about it and realised that your grandmother may be compromised by the Drakhyn.”
“What?” Michael turned to them in shock.
“The vision she had was so outlandish we didn’t think about it until after she was out of the office. We went to find Tegan.”
“Why didn’t you go to Zahra?” Michael knew he was almost screaming. “We went to get Zahra from that human school for exactly this reason!”
“We know. We did.” Salem felt despair wash over him. “As soon as we spoke to Tegan, we came to your room and Zahra stormed out, so I went to find my mother.”
“Where was Zahra?” Tegan asked. “When you were looking for Talia Holt?”
“No one saw her,” Bryce answered. “No one saw Talia either.”
“My mother is not one to blend. I cannot believe no one saw her,” Salem growled bitterly.
“So, what are you saying to me?” Sloane said in confusion. “You think Talia Holt has been influenced by Drakhyn to kidnap Zahra so that she can be impregnated by them?” He looked around the room. “Tell me this isn’t what you are saying?”
“It’s what they are saying,” Tegan told him softly. “I’m sorry.”
“We will find her,” Bryce assured the room.
“Will we?” Salem asked in defeat. “They cannot be that far away. They simply cannot.” He looked at Tegan. “How long since you saw us last?”
“An hour?” Tegan guessed.
“If, and I sayif”—Bryce looked at them all—“she has been taken and Talia is involved, then she may still be safe.”
“She could be with Drakhyn!” Michael shouted.
“She could have gone back to the humans,” Tegan suggested. “She seems to like it there. We may be jumping to the worst-case scenario.”
“School,” Michael whispered. “Yes, she could have gone back to see the guy.”
“What guy?” Sloane asked roughly. “The closet guy?”
Michael looked at his best friend before glancing at his dad. “Um...”
“Michael, if you know something, you have to tell me,” Salem said forcefully. “She’s your little sister, I know, and you always protect her, but you need to tell me if there is something you know.” Salem tugged at the end of his hair. “Anything is better than thinking she may be with Drakhyn!”
“I know, dad.” Michael looked to Tegan, and she raised an eyebrow.
“Do you need to be alone?” Tegan asked quietly.
“I don’t know.” Michael gave a soft laugh.
“By the wrath of Harrian, Michael, tell me!” Salem roared in the office.
“She’s been seeing a human,” Michael blurted. “I think they were serious about each other.” He saw Sloane’s head drop down and felt bad that this is how he was going to tell him. “They’ve been sleeping together.”
“What?” Salem whispered as his gaze also shot to Sloane. “She is betrothed.”