Page 15 of Shattered Veil
“Angry? Angry doesn’t begin to describe what I am, Fiona.”
My heart pounds. I want to scream, to lash out, to make her hurt like I’m hurting. But I can’t let her see how much she’s affected me. I won’t give her that satisfaction.
I make my face a blank.“You’re nothing to me now. You’re just another disappointment in a long life of disappointments, Fiona.”
“It’s Dean Farland now, Brigid.”
My stomach twists. The title hits me like a slap. I swallow hard, tasting bile.
Fiona’s face softens.“Come on, Brigid. It doesn’t have to be like this between us.”
She reaches out, her fingers brushing my arm. I flinch away.
I stare at her, silent. My throat feels tight. I think of all the times I trusted her. Confided in her. And all along, she was... what? I don’t know who or what Fiona really is.
My words come out sharply.“Your words mean nothing to me, Fiona. And neither do you.”
Fiona’s eyes flash, and the friendly mask slips, revealing something harder underneath.“Watch yourself, Brigid. I’m still your dean.”
My laugh is bitter and hollow.“Right. Dean Farland. Tell me,Dean, how long were you playing with me? Was any of it real?”
She straightens, her stance shifting. Gone is the casual, warm smile. Now she’s all prim authority.
“I think you’re forgetting your place, Ms. Ryan. We both need to remember that Grimstone Academy is not Newton. Things are different here.”
The formal address stings more than I want to admit. I force myself not to react.
“No, I know exactly where I stand. It’s you who’s lost her way.”
Fiona’s lips thin.“Well. This conversation is getting us nowhere.” She looks down at her watch, a clear indication that she has better things to do.“What I did come to tell you is that as a student of the academy, I expect you back in class tomorrow, on time, no excuses.”
“Are you serious? After everything that’s happened? Being on time to class is what you’re concerned about. Not Rory.”
Her expression turns cold.“I am deadly serious, Ms. Ryan.”
I return her stare.
Fiona’s eyes narrow, a glint flashing in their depths.“Speaking of recent events, I am quite curious about your... new abilities.”
My stomach drops. Of course she’d bring this up.
“What abilities?” I keep my voice neutral.
She leans in, whispering like we’re girlfriends confiding in each other about boys.“Brigid. The rift. You opened it.”
I stay silent, my heart racing. How much does she know? She doesn’t mention Marius and his role in the rift opening. And instinct tells me not to say anything about it, either.
Fiona’s fingers drum against the wall, her nails clicking rhythmically.“It’s fascinating, really. Shadow magic is incredibly rare. And to manifest it so... spectacularly.” Her eyes rake over me, searching.“How did you do it?”
I shrug, aiming for nonchalance.“I don’t know what you’re talking about.”
Fiona’s hand clamps down on my shoulder. Her eyes burn with an otherworldly light.
“Listen closely, Brigid. Grimstone isn’t what you think. The Council—”
I move away from her, shaking loose her hand.“Don’t.”
“You’re in danger, Brigid.”
