Tegan ran through the woods. She knew better than to look over her shoulder to see if they were behind and if so, how far. Her father had taught her well, but still theneedto know was strong. Sure-footed, despite the uneven ground, she ran. Her hood had dislodged as she sprinted, and her long braid flew behind her. The backpack she carried slapped against her back in rhythm to the light sound of her feet as she crossed the forest floor. Her breath was short, and sweat trickled down her back as she pumped her legs faster.Almost there, she thought as she lowered her head for the final burst.
Tegan saw glimpses of Headquarters in front of her through the trees, and she knew she just needed to get onto the grounds. Hearing a snap behind her, Tegan changed course drastically and aimed for the nearest low-hanging branch. Running at full speed, she jumped, bringing her knees up to prepare for the impact. Her feet bounced off the tree trunk, and using it as if it were a springboard, she leapt for the branch, her body twisting in the air as she flew towards the neighbouring tree with her arms outstretched. The limb cut across her chest, almost winding her, but swinging her legs up, she used the continued momentum of her body to swing her upwards. With a smirk at the thought of those behind her and their reaction, Tegan ran lightly over the branches, and very much like her first introduction to the Northern Headquarters, she jumped effortlessly over the high fence.
Unlike her initial jump all those months ago, this time the fence’s spells were reinforced, and Tegan narrowly escaped a painful descent as she threw the nullifying powder at the fence. Dropping down, she carried on into a forward roll and smoothly followed through the manoeuvre to her feet, her short swords raised and ready.
“Are youfreakingkidding me?” Sloane shouted as he stood and looked at her disbelievingly, his arms raised in disbelief. “What in the name ofshadewasthat?”
Tegan grinned at her cousin as he stared back at her in frustration. “Did I win?”
“Of course you won,” Marcus said with an amused shake of his head as he looked down the driveway to see the other two competitors running towards the gate. “Not sure if you wonfairly, but you won.”
“You saidfirst one on the grounds.” Tegan narrowed her eyes as she watched the other two running towards them. “I’m first on the ground.”
“Pity your ego isn’t.”
Tegan turned her head to look at Zahra. “I did not know you would be joining us today.”
“Neither did I.” Zahra scowled at Marcus, who ignored her, while Sloane shifted on his feet uncomfortably.
“You jumped andflewover the fence?” Michael protested as he pulled up alongside them. He looked at Tegan as she stretched her muscles out, and he started doing the same. “Seriously, no one’s gaining extra points because you decided to be theatrical.”
Tegan snorted at his words, while Sloane laughed out loud. Moments later, Salem joined them and looked at Marcus. “She swan dived over the fence?”
“She did.”
Salem looked at Tegan critically. “Well…I didn’t stipulatehowto get here first, I suppose.”
Tegan beamed at her brother at Salem’s words. “Can we not encourage her?” Michael mumbled as he pulled his leg behind him in a stretch.
“You ran it two minutes faster,” Marcus told Tegan as he made a note in his notebook.
“Ran?” Michael protested again.
Marcus gave a good-humoured sigh. “Youcompletedit two minutes faster.”
“Winning’s winning.” Tegan looked at them all with a smile. “What do we do next?” she asked Salem expectantly.
“Kali sticks in training room four.”
Grabbing Michael, Tegan pulled him after her as they both started jogging towards the main entrance. Sloane followed them eagerly, his shout lost on the wind as they gained distance from where the others stood. Salem watched them go before he turned his attention to his daughter, Zahra, and saw her hesitate in following the others.
“You joining us today, Zahra?” he asked her softly.
“Um, yes,” she spoke just as quietly. “Sloane is going to help me with the throwing stars after you’re finished with Michael and her today.”
“Hername is Tegan, and she is your sister.” Salem looked his youngest child over. Her pink hoodie hung loose on her small frame, while her washed out grey skinny jeans looked worn and wrinkled. Zahra’s normally shiny platinum curls hung limp and unkept, and her face was drawn and gaunt. “Have you eaten today? Are you feeling okay?”
“No, dad,” she snapped at him suddenly. “And you can justsaythat I look like shit instead of pretending to care.” Zahra barked out a self-depreciating laugh. “I got taken out of school, I was attacked by monsters, I’m alienated here because Ihatethis life, and everyone pities me for beingmolestedby Drakhyn. But theystilljudge me, because if I washer, I would never have been taken.” Movement caught Zahra’s eye, and she turned to watch Kallie walk around the side of Headquarters. “Even if I had beenher, they would show more respect.” Zahra shoved her hands in her pockets. “Oh, and my betrothed dumped me.” She turned her angry glare to look back at her dad and the Lycan. “So, no, I’m not okay.” With a disgruntled sigh, she walked reluctantly to the main entrance.
“Glad I asked,” Salem commented wryly to Marcus, who failed to hide his smile at his friend’s dry humour.
“If she spent more time worrying about the war we are all preparing for and less time worrying about what Akrhyn think of her, she would have better energy,” Marcus commented as he watched Zahra walk ahead of them.
“Should I have let her stay with the humans?” Salem asked as the two of them followed into Headquarters.
“No.” Marcus folded his notebook as they walked. “We still don’t know if Zahra was who the Drakhyn wanted. And her school, they knew of her condition…before we did,” he added quietly. “She thinks she would be better off there; she would not. Humans are cruel at the best of times. Humanteenagers? Merciless. She would not have lasted a day back at her high school.”
Salem nodded in agreement even as he struggled to accept that his youngest child had been pregnant. Zahra was spoiled and entitled, and for that, he blamed himself. He had always indulged her. Her desire to live a human life had pained him, but he had accepted that was what she wanted, and it seemed his greatest failing had been letting his daughter have what made her happy. Still he struggled to accept full responsibility, and during Reflection each night, he asked for guidance. Zahra had been so reckless anddisrespectfulto Sloane, and to him but…more importantly, herself. It left Salem questioning himself and her choices.