Page 36 of Shattered Veil
When we’re both in a more presentable state, we head for the door. But as I reach for the handle, Rory puts his hand over mine.
“Brigid, wait.” Rory takes a deep breath, his brow furrowing.“When I was there, in that place between worlds, I saw a woman. She looked just like you, Brigid. But she wasn’t you.”
“What do you mean?” My stomach clenches. I’d been so focused on having him back, I hadn’t even thought to ask about what he’d experienced.
Rory’s eyes cloud with uncertainty.“I’m not sure. It was weird. This woman, she had your face, your eyes. But older. And her energy... it was different. Darker.”
“Did she do anything? Say anything?” I haven’t forgotten about the murals in the chamber under the academy. About the paintings of a woman who looked just like me, with the Raven King, and the five men.
“Not really,” Rory shakes his head.“But Brigid, I felt like she knew me. Like she was waiting for something.”
And just like that, the comforting warmth and safety I’m feeling shatters away.
Chapter Sixteen
Rory
I squeeze Brigid’s hand as we approach the suite door, my grin widening. Fuck, I can’t wait to see their faces. With a dramatic flourish, I swing the door open.
“Honey, I’m home!”
Callen, Lochan, and Tiernan freeze, eyes wide as saucers. The silence stretches for one glorious moment before chaos erupts.
“Rory, you magnificent bastard!” Callen shouts, tackling me in a bear hug that nearly knocks me off my feet.
Lochan and Tiernan pile on, a tangle of limbs and laughter.
It’s surreal to be here again, after months alone in that hellish void, though only days passed here. But I push those thoughts aside. I’m back now. That’s what matters.
“Miss me?” I extricate myself from the group hug.
Tiernan angles his head.“What was it like? The void.”
Lochan cuffs the back of Tiernan’s head, causing Tiernan to turn around and raise his arms in a‘what?’gesture.
Sometimes, I feel like everyone and everything is something to dissect and figure out to Tiernan. I shrug, not wanting to talk about it. Not yet.“Time’s weird in the void. Felt like months to me.”
“Months?” Brigid says.“Rory—”
“Later.” I grab her hand again, not ready to relive that nightmare.“Right now, I want to bask in everyone’s adoration. Come on, tell me how much you missed my rizz.”
Lochan snorts.“I’d forgotten how humble you are, wolf.”
The banter feels good, familiar. But beneath it all, my mind’s a mess. The void left scars, ones I’m not ready to share.
And the way they’re all looking at Brigid... something’s off.
I pull her closer, protective instinct flaring.
Tiernan’s gaze shifts to Brigid, his hazel eyes probing.“How exactly did you manage to open the rift? After—” Tiernan looks like he had more to say, but he stops talking abruptly.
I feel Brigid tense beside me. Her hand goes loose in mine, and I know that look. She’s about to bolt.
I push my hair off my face, stepping slightly in front of her.“Oh, you know how it is. Girl meets void, girl rescues handsome blond sex god from said void. Tale as old as time.” I nudge Brigid.“Though I’ve got to say, the welcome back celebration was definitely my favorite part.”
Brigid’s cheeks flush, and I can practically feel the embarrassment coming off her. I’d rather have her embarrassed than ready to run, though.
“Rory,” Tiernan presses, not deterred.“The implications of—”
