Page 6 of Shattered Veil
“We do exactly what the new dean told us to do. We stay at the academy. We keep her close,” I decide.“Watch her. Protect her.”
Tiernan nods.
“And what about that asshole, Marius?” Lochan says.“Where the fuck did he disappear to, anyway?”
“He’s a problem.” I admit. I’m not forgetting that Marius saved Brigid’s life, but I’m also not forgetting that he’s the reason Rory is gone.“We keep Brigid away from him. Don’t give him the chance to be alone with her. I don’t know what he’s after, but he can’t be trusted.”
“And the king?” Tiernan asks quietly.“Him being here is bad, Callen. You know how he feels about shadow magic…the rebels.”
I ignore his pointed stare.“My father, my mess. I’ll handle it.”
Lochan snorts.“Your mess? We’re all in this shit now, princeling.”
Chapter Four
Brigid
I push open the door to my room. The air feels wrong.
It’s not until I scan the darkened room that I see him. Marius leans against the wall, casual as you please. Like he owns the fucking place.
“What are you doing here?”
Marius smirks.“Waiting for you.”
“Get out.” I spit.“Now.” All the rage I’ve been keeping contained starts to boil over. Fiona. Rory. Marius not pulling his shadow magic back before it was too late.
He pushes off the wall. Stalks toward me.
I stand my ground as he approaches, but my body threatens to give me away. My pulse quickens. Breath catches. I feel the shadows that are part of me want to reach out towards him.
“I don’t want you here.”
Marius stops inches from me. His scent envelops me. Spice and smoke and danger.
“I don’t believe you.” His eyes roam my face. My body.
I swallow hard. Fight the urge to step back. To close the distance between us.
“Believe this, then.” I bring my hand up to slap him across his handsome face.
Marius catches my wrist before it can make contact. His lips curve. He’s enjoying this.
He tugs me closer. My chest brushes against his, nipples stiffening at the contact.
“I see the way you look at me, Brigid.” His voice drops and turns husky.“I know what you want.”
My breath hitches as he traces a finger along my jawline. I should push him away, but I can’t move. My limbs are heavy with longing and resentment intertwined.
“You don’t know anything about me,” I whisper, anger seeping into my words despite my racing pulse.
“Oh, but I do.” He leans in, breath warm against my ear.“I know more than you think.”
I shiver at his nearness, hating myself for it. I try to pull free, but he holds me firm, his grip unyielding.
“You keep saying that, Marius. You’re a broken record.”
“You got the broken part right, little bird. I’m broken like you.” He leans in.“Together, we can be whole.”
