Page 41 of Shattered Veil
Before anyone can protest, Rory’s wrapped us all in a bear hug. I’m squished between Callen’s chest and Tiernan’s shoulder, Lochan awkwardly half-in, half-out of the embrace.
As we untangle ourselves, I notice the shift. Callen’s shoulders have relaxed, Tiernan’s eyes are brighter, and even Lochan seems less rigid. Rory’s infectious energy has worked its magic, bridging the gap we’d all been too stubborn to cross.
“Well,” I say, smoothing down my clothes,“I guess we’re officially a dysfunctional family now.”
Callen raises an eyebrow.“Dysfunctional?”
“Would you prefer‘batshit crazy’?” I smirk.
He laughs, a deep, rich sound that warms me from the inside.“Touché.”
As we settle back into our seats, the atmosphere feels lighter. Rory launches into a dramatic retelling of his“daring escape,” complete with exaggerated hand gestures and sound effects. I catch Lochan’s eye across the table, and for a moment, I see a flicker of something that might be understanding, maybe more.
I lean back, letting the boys’banter wash over me. I feel like I can breathe. We’re far from perfect, but we’re together. And right now, that’s enough.
A hush falls over the dining hall, pulling me from my reverie. My eyes snap to the entrance, where Fiona has just made her grand entrance. She’s a riot of orange and fuchsia, with a big, chunky sun pendant necklace and earrings.
Her gaze sweeps over the students like a spotlight.
Fiona’s eyes land on our table. More specifically, on Rory.
Her step falters, just for a second, but it’s enough. I watch as shock ripples across her face. She regains her composure quickly and continues walking toward the faculty tables.
I’m not the only one who noticed. Lochan’s eyes meet mine.
It’s not surprising that Fiona would be caught off guard by the sight of a returned Rory. Even though she’s never met him, she’d of course been aware of his disappearance—and one of the few people who knew that it had happened, actually. What’s strange is that she’s pretending like Rory sitting here, guzzling a goblet of mood wine now, is not remarkable enough to come over to our table.
“Brigid?” Tiernan’s voice breaks through my thoughts.“You okay?”
I force a smile.“Yeah, just... thinking.”
My eyes dart between Fiona and my friends. I can’t afford to let my guard down, not when there’s so much I don’t understand, about myself, and about this whole world.
“So,” Rory says, oblivious,“who’s looking forward to the Winter Solstice?”
Lochan groans.“Didn’t we just have one of those?”
“The winter solstice celebration after the Harrowing is usually a lot of fun,” Tiernan chimes in.“Brigid, you’re going to love it.”
“Tell me more.” I need to distract myself from thinking about Fiona. Which is hard to do, considering her loud laughter carries across the room. It shatters like glass all round me, making a million tiny, treacherous cuts.
As they describe the celebration—bonfires, feasts, and ancient rituals under the stars—I feel a little better. It’s almost enough to make me forget how terrified I am about the Harrowing. Almost.
“And then there’s the Midnight Hunt after the break,” Rory says with a wide grin.
“The what?” I ask, not sure I want to know.
Callen smiles and there’s a wicked gleam in his eyes that makes me shiver.“It’s a tradition. You’ll soon find out all about it, darling.”
Lochan shifts in his chair, and I see Tiernan’s eyes darken.
Okay then. Note to self, find out what the hell the Midnight Hunt is. My cheeks are hot as I take a sip from my water glass to cool off.
Something compels me to I look up. Drawn by an unseen force, I lock eyes with Marius across the room. His gaze burns into me, filled with an intensity that steals my breath.
I should look away. I want to look away. But I can’t. Then I remember my promise to him. One night.
Just when everything was starting to go well.
