“I believe that would be me who condoned it.” Cornelius walked into the room. “I refute the term idiot.” He paused momentarily at seeing Sloane laid out on the bed. “The Great Council have asked me to investigate.”
“You?” Salem asked sceptically.
“Yes, me.” Cornelius smiled. “You are considered compromised.”
“I see.” Salem grabbed Michael’s arm to stop him from protesting. “Very well. Proceed.”
“Proceed?” Cornelius’s eyes flicked to the Elite Sentinels.
“I am tired. My daughter is unconscious here, my other daughter has been taken by Drakhyn, my Second is hunting her but most likely running into a trap. My mother is dead, killed tonight.” Salem’s eyes closed briefly against the weight of it all. “My Headquarters are a mess and probably still spelled. I need a lot of answers and need to do a hell of a lot of work before I can ever think of sleeping again.” Salem sat down easily. “So yes, Cornelius, begin. Because right now,youare standing in the way of me getting my answers.”
“Dad.” Michael looked at his father, but seeing the steely determination in his eyes, he nodded once and then getting a chair, he too sat. They both looked at Cornelius expectantly.
“I too am ready to be interrogated,” Cord said as he climbed into the space on the bed beside his brother and lay down closing his eyes.
“You are going to sleep?” Tove asked, fighting a smile.
“No, no, just lying here with my eyes closed. I am fully awake for the upcoming show,” Cord told her.
“Cord, could you at least pretend to be taking this seriously?” Cornelius hissed as he hurried over to his sons as he noticed the blood on Cord’s tunic.
Cord opened one eye and looked at his stepfather. “No.” He closed his eyes again. “Sloane is innocent of any wrongdoing.”
“I know that,” Cornelius whispered urgently.
“Then let him heal in peace.” Cord’s eyes snapped open and glared at Cornelius.
“I cannot.” Cornelius turned his back to them both. “We will interrogate each of you individually,” he announced as he walked out of the room.
“And what do we do in the interim?” Garrick asked into the now quiet room.
“You wait,” one of Cornelius’s Elite Sentinels said sheepishly.
“Splendid.” Lucas took an empty bed, and he too lay down, much like Cord. “Wake me when they are ready.”
Tove half sat in her bed as she watched Cornelius’s Elite Sentinels exchange meek glances. True, it wasn’t every day you put two Prime Castors, a Principal, his Heirs and his Elite Sentinels under guard. She glanced again at Cord, not to mention trying to restrainhim.
Marcus? Marcus, can you hear me?She lay back down and closed her eyes.Marcus, it was a trap. Talia Holt is dead. We are safe, but Cornelius is holding us on behalf of the Great Council. We need to know who is working with the Drakhyn.
She sent the message over and over as she lay and waited. She was not aware of how much time passed, but she knew that the longer she lay, the more relaxed she became.
Tove.
Her body stiffened as she heard her alpha.Tell Salem I have her. She has been hurt badly, but I have her. We are coming back. I need Castors, healers.The best healers, Tove.
How bad is it?Tove asked worriedly.
She has lost her babe. She will not tell me if they...lay with her, but I fear they have. She needs urgent care. I need a healer. I do not think she has long.
I will do my best for you,Tove promised as an image of pack grounds flashed in her head. She sat up and looked over the room. An hour, maybe two, had passed. So far, no one had been taken for questioning. It was an old trick of interrogation. She noticed that Cord and Lucas both seemed to be sleeping while the others sat and stared at nothing.
“Tegan,” Tove spoke quietly.
“I am awake.”
Cord sat up swiftly, and Tove considered him for a moment before she slipped off the bed and made her way to Tegan, who was also sitting up. The Elite guarding them made no move but watched hesitantly.
Salem stood and also went to his daughter’s cot bed. “You are alright?” Salem asked Tegan softly.