Page 50 of Shattered Veil
“Why do you think that?”
“Just a hunch.” Eira fiddles with the corner of a paper next to her.“Plus, there are usually only one or two deaths, so the odds are in our favor.”
I swallow hard, trying to keep my face neutral. Only one or two...
“You sure that’s all that’s got you so tense?”
“I’m sure. I’m fine.”
“Hmm,” Eira hums, unconvinced.“Well, if you ever want to talk about what’s not fine, I’m here.”
I nod, throat tight. Part of me yearns to open up, to share the burden. But the walls I’ve built are high and solid.
“Thanks,” I say softly.“I appreciate that. But really, I’m just nervous about tomorrow.”
Eira holds my gaze for a moment longer, then turns away with a slight shrug. She moves to her cluttered desk, her steps light as she crosses the room. My eyes follow her as she reaches for an enormous book, bound in dark leather, its spine cracked and pages yellowed with age.
Her slender fingers caress the cover reverently before she lifts it with both hands, cradling it like the fragile thing it is. The care in her movements triggers my curiosity.
“I’ve been researching,” Eira says, her voice taking on a hushed, almost reverent tone.“About the Morrigan.”
My heart skips a beat.“What did you find?”
She opens the book carefully, its ancient spine creaking in protest.“So you know that The Morrigan is a goddess, right?”
I nod.“Right. Of war and chaos.”
“The Morrigan isn’t just a goddess of war and chaos,” Eira explains, her eyes scanning the faded text.“She’s also deeply connected to fate and prophecy.”
I try to keep my voice steady.“How so?”
“According to this text, she cast a forbidden spell long ago, during the time of the Shadow Wars.” Eira continues, her words measured and careful.“A spell meant to bring her and her lover, the Raven King, back to the realm.”
“What do you mean, bring back?”
“She used dark magic, and against the other deities’wishes and warnings, she cast a spell that meant the Raven King and she would someday be reunited. It cost her everything, though.” Eira’s face is flushed, and she speaks quickly.“The Morrigan poured her divine essence into the spell, and she lost her divinity.”
My skin prickles with goosebumps. The air in the room suddenly feels thick, charged with an energy I can’t explain.“She lost her—so she stopped being a goddess?”
Eira looks up, her eyes meeting mine, and nods.“The text says that the prophecy speaks of a vessel. And that when The Morrigan returns, she will be both divine, and not divine.”
My heart pounds in my chest. I fight to keep my expression neutral.“What does that mean?” I manage to ask, my voice barely above a whisper.
Eira shakes her head slightly.“I’m not sure yet.”
I nod, trying to process this information.
But as Eira returns to her book, I’m left grappling with this new piece of the puzzle. The pieces are starting to fall into place, and I’m not sure I like the picture they’re forming.
“There’s more,” Eira says, her fingers tracing the yellowed pages.“The prophecy mentions a great upheaval, a shifting of power that will rock the supernatural world to its core.”
My stomach clenches.“What kind of upheaval?”
Eira’s forehead wrinkles.“It’s not entirely clear. The text is cryptic, full of riddles and metaphors. But from what I can gather, the return of the Morrigan and the Raven King will challenge the established order.” She closes the book, a puff of dust escaping the pages.“I’m guessing that doesn’t bode well for the Council’s control.”
“Do you think they know?” I ask casually.“About the prophecy, I mean.”
Eira nods slowly.“I’m almost certain they do. And if I had to guess, they’re probably trying to find a way to use it to their advantage.”
