Image after image of Tegan’s dead body flashed before him. Broken. Beaten. Violated.
Cord raised his head, his eyes narrowed with hate as he stared deep into the Darkness.
“No.”
The string snapped.
* * *
Tegan was aware she was being carried. Her head rested against a chest, strong, the heartbeat was racing but strong.
The pain was still present, everywhere, but no longer overpowering.
The physical pain had been dulled.
The pain in her heart was raw.
Her brother had died in her arms.
Michael was gone.
Tears ran down her face as she leaned into the one who carried her.
She was placed down gently. On the ground? Her eyes refused to open. She didn’t want to see a world where he was not there.
Cold hands cupped her face, and she felt someone lean over her.
“You are the Stone.”
I am the Stone, she echoed in her head.
Not the Blade, it was not her to strike the enemy down, but her brother.
Tegan had been trained to fight by Leonid Novikov. She was the youngest Elite Sentinel ever. Her brother hadn’t even been tested for his final Trial. Why would he be the Blade?
Because he needed someone to be sharpened against. He needed her to hone his skills. Salem had not trained Tegan, but together he had struck the blade again and again against a steady and true whetstone. Her. Her skills, her fire, helping to mould an Akrhyn until he was ready for battle.
She had helped sharpen him so when the time came, he stood strong and his hand never wavered as he struck his enemy down.
Ofcourseshe was the Stone, preparing him to be all that he needed to be. The Blade that did not miss. And he had been everything they could have needed. He had fought for them…for her.
Tegan’s face crumpled in anguish.
Tegan.
Her eyes flew open at the voice. A woman was talking to her. Turning her head, she saw her mother walk towards her. No, that couldn’t be right, her mother was dead.
I know it hurts, I know your body is fighting to stay in this world, but Tegan, he needs you.
Tegan didn’t understand. Her mother turned her head, and Tegan struggled to follow, but she did. She saw a male on his knees, his head bowed.Michael?
You are the Stone, Tegan.
I want Michael,Tegan blurted, her tears spilling over.
He is gone, my sweet, he has fulfilled his duty.
I want him to be the Stone, make me the Blade, take me.