Page 110 of Shattered Veil
The Morrigan is in control now.
Chapter Forty-Seven
Marius
My heart pounds like a feral beast as I sprint down the winding corridors. Brigid’s distress compels me forward. I can feel her calling me through the mate bond. I hurtle through the hidden passage to the ancient ritual chamber, the slow as I hear voices.
The chanting grows louder with each step I take toward the room, an ominous drone that sets my teeth on edge. Dark magic sizzles in the air. I feel it.
As I get to the end of the passageway, I see the scene before me is pure chaos.
“Shit,” I mutter, taking in the carnage.
Rory, Callen, Tiernan, and Lochan are sprawled across the floor, bruised and bloodied. Guards tower over them, weapons drawn.
My gaze darts around the room, searching desperately for Brigid. Hooded figures form a tight circle around the altar, their chanting reaching a fever pitch. In the center, laying on top, draped in a green robe—Brigid. Surrounded by Council members.
“Brigid!” I shout, my voice carrying over the chanting.
She doesn’t respond, her eyes glazed and unfocused. Panic rises in my throat. What the hell have they done to her?
I lunge forward, but a guard blocks my path.“Stand down,” he growls.
“Fuck you,” I snarl, shoving past him.
Another guard grabs my arm. I whirl, slamming my fist into his jaw. He staggers back, cursing.
“Marius, watch out!” Rory yells.
I duck just as a blast of magic sizzles past my ear. Shit, that was close.
“Let her go, you fuckers!” Callen shouts, struggling against his captors.
Tiernan’s voice is calm despite the chaos.“The ritual is nearly complete. We need to disrupt it now—or never.”
“No shit, genius,” Lochan grunts, his words slurred from a split lip.“Got any bright ideas?”
I tune out their bickering, focused solely on reaching Brigid. The air is alive with power, making my skin crawl. Whatever they’re doing, it can’t be good.
A Council member turns, his eyes widening as he spots me.“Restrain him!”
Guards swarm me, but I fight like a man possessed. Brigid needs me, and I’ll be damned if I let these fuckers stop me.
“Brigid!” I call out again, desperation clawing at my insides.“Wake up! Fight it! You were right—we can choose a different destiny!”
For an instant, I see a hint of recognition. Then it’s gone, replaced by a dark look that chills me to the bone.
What have they done to you, little bird?
The Council is performing some kind of spell over Brigid, waving athames over her and spinning a web of obsidian magic above the altar and Brigid. Then I notice they are holding chalices in their other hands. One of them makes the first cut, sliding the blade of his athame over Brigid’s wrists then holding the chalice underneath to catch her spilling blood.
Those fuckers are going to slice her open, one by one, and drain her blood into the chalices.
I struggle against the restraint of the guards, but it’s no use. And there’s something here that’s suppressing my shadow magic, somehow, so I can’t call on it either. I feel helpless, powerless to stop this.
It’s my fault. If I’d told Brigid earlier, if I’d woken up…
I don’t have time to think about it, though.
