Page 111 of Shattered Veil
Magic fills the air, causing my hair to stand on end in its charge. Brigid raises her arms, and suddenly the world explodes into chaos.
Shadows erupt from her in a violent surge, tearing through the chamber like a tornado of pure darkness. Council members and hooded figures are thrown back, their bodies slamming against walls and pillars with sickening thuds.
“Holy fuck,” I breathe, watching in horror as the carnage unfolds.
Bodies crumple to the ground, lifeless.
Brigid’s gray eyes now blaze with an otherworldly power. Her hair whips around her face like living shadows, and her lips curl into a cruel smile that doesn’t belong on her face.
“Brigid, please,” I beg, my voice cracking.“Come back to me.”
She doesn’t even look my way. Her gaze sweeps the room, cold and calculating.
King Cillian’s panicked voice cuts through the chaos.“Retreat! Fall back!”
I turn to see the pompous asshole shoving guards out of his way as he makes a break for the exit. Coward.
But he doesn’t make it far. Brigid’s head snaps towards him, her eyes narrowing. With a flick of her wrist, tendrils of shadow magic lash out, wrapping around Cillian’s legs and yanking him off his feet.
He hits the ground hard, his crown clattering across the floor. The sight of the once-proud king scrambling on his hands and knees, his face twisted in terror, would be almost comical if the situation weren’t so fucked up.
“Please, mercy!” Cillian begs, his voice high and reedy.“I didn’t—I never meant—”
Brigid—no, the Morrigan’s—laugh is like shattered glass. She raises her hand, and Cillian’s body jerks upward, suspended in midair. He thrashes wildly, choking and gasping as the shadows constrict around his throat.
I want to look away, but I can’t.
A sickening crack reverberates in the chamber, and Cillian goes limp. The Morrigan releases him, and his body crumples to the floor like a broken doll.
The chamber falls silent, save for the low hum of magic still emanating from Brigid. She turns, her gaze sweeping over the destruction she’s wrought. Briefly, I see a flicker of confusion in her eyes.
“Brigid?” I call out, hope blooming in my chest.“Little bird, can you hear me?”
Her eyes lock onto mine, and my breath catches in my throat. For a split second, I see her—my Brigid. Then it’s gone, replaced by the indifference of the Morrigan.
She turns her attention fully to me. Her eyes are cold, unyielding pools of silvery gray. There’s no recognition. Just an ancient, merciless power.
“Brigid, please,” I try one last time, my voice hoarse.“It’s me. It’s Marius.”
She smiles, and it holds no warmth. With a casual motion of her wrist, an invisible force slams into my chest. The air rushes from my lungs as I’m hurled backwards, my body smashing against the chamber wall with bone-jarring force.
Pain explodes through me. My vision blurs, dark spots dancing at the edges. I slump to the ground, gasping and wheezing as I struggle to draw breath. Fuck, I think at least one rib is cracked.
I force my head up, meeting her gaze again. The Morrigan stares down at me, her expression a mask of icy amusement. Her lips curl.
Without a word, she turns and strides towards the exit, her movements unnaturally graceful. I try to follow, but my legs won’t cooperate. All I can do is watch helplessly as she disappears into the shadows, leaving nothing but death and destruction in her wake.
“Fuck,” I mutter, sinking to my knees.“What the hell do we do now?”
The chamber falls silent as Brigid vanishes into the shadows. For a moment, we’re all frozen, stunned by the surrounding devastation.
Rory’s the first to move, stumbling to his feet with a pained groan.“Holy shit,” he mutters, eyes wide as he takes in the carnage.“Is everyone okay?”
“Define‘okay’,” Callen groans, clutching his side as he struggles to sit up. His usual charm is gone, replaced by grim determination. If he’s noticed his father is most probably dead, he isn’t giving it away.
I try to stand, but a sharp pain in my ribs sends me back to my knees.“Fuck,” I hiss through clenched teeth.
Tiernan limps over, his face etched with concern.“Easy, Marius. You might have internal injuries.”
