Page 3 of Shattered Veil
I still can’t speak.
Callen’s cool voice echoes in the cavernous room.“Speak your piece, and then we’ll decide whether to believe you.”
Fiona’s admission leaves me shell-shocked, but I make my expression blank, as I have learned to do so well. Whatever her motives, she’s not my friend. Was never my friend.
No friend would ever do what she’s done. The tears gather in the corners of my eyes, thinking of how I opened up to her. Of how she was the only person I could truly trust.
I want to throw up.
“I know you all have questions, but now isn’t the time. The Harrowing draws near, and Brigid here,” she smiles,“is right in the crosshairs of some powerful forces. The Council has been… observing her progress.”
“Is that what you call tossing her into the dungeon? Observing her progress?” Lochan spits.
“An unfortunate overreaction.” Fiona cocks her head and arches an eyebrow. She’s smiling, and it’s so familiar it makes my heart ache. But it doesn’t look as warm and friendly as it used to be. Now it looks…predatory.
I can’t stop staring at Fiona’s face. Every expression, every gesture I once found comforting now is like a knife twisting in my stomach. The grief over Rory’s loss, still raw and bleeding, mingles with this fresh betrayal.
I realize I’m shivering. Tiernan’s hand finds mine, and his warmth is comforting.
Lochan’s voice breaks through my haze.“Staying at the academy seems stupid. The Council’s intentions are suspect at best.”
“Suspect?” Callen scoffs.“They’re fucking dangerous. We’d be walking into a trap.”
Fiona’s smile doesn’t waver.“Boys, boys. Such paranoia. The Council only wants what’s best for—”
“Save it,” I hiss, finding my voice at last.“You lied to me for months. Years. Everything was a lie.”
Her eyes meet mine, no trace of remorse.“Not everything, Brigid. Our friendship was genuine.”
I laugh, and it’s a harsh sound. Bitter even to my ears.“Fuck you.”
Tiernan steps closer, his presence solid and grounding.“Even the forest would be safer than Grimstone’s walls,” he murmurs to me.“At least there, nature is honest in its dangers.”
The guards shift behind Fiona, readying themselves.
“And where would you go?” Fiona laughs, her eyes crinkling at the corners.“You can’t hide forever,” Fiona says, her tone light but with an undercurrent of something harder.“Grimstone is where Brigid belongs. Where you all belong.”
I sense the shadows stirring around me, responding to my distress. Fiona’s eyes sharpen.
Fiona’s gaze flicks over our group, lingering on each face.“I’m curious. What exactly was your plan after breaking Brigid out? Surely you didn’t think you could just... disappear?”
Callan’s laugh is all sharp edges.“Wouldn’t you like to know?”
“We’re not idiots,” Lochan adds, voice cold.“We don’t owe you explanations.”
“The Council only wanted to help Brigid. To understand her power. Locking her up was a precaution, nothing more.”
Liar. The word screams in my head but doesn’t leave my lips.
I scan the faces around me. Doubt etches deep lines in Tiernan’s brow. Lochan’s jaw tightens, eyes hard. Callan’s smirk doesn’t reach his eyes.
And Marius...
He lurks, silent. Watchful. The surrounding air feels charged. Dangerous.
Our eyes lock. His lips curve, just slightly. A promise. A threat.
I shudder. No. No more. Not after what happened to Rory.
