Page 107 of Shadowed Fate

Brigid shakes her head, frustrated. "I don't know. It was dark, vague. But he's alive. I felt it."

Could it be true? I want to believe her, but...

"How can we be sure?" Callen's voice cuts through my thoughts.

Tiernan steps forward, his calm presence a stark contrast to the almost physical sense of unease. "There might be a way," he says, his voice low and thoughtful. "A ritual to stabilize Brigid's powers so that she can use them to connect to whatever created that rift. If we can do that, we might be able to use them to locate Rory."

"What kind of ritual?" Marius moves closer to Brigid, possessive. I want to rip his head off.

"We need to focus on getting out of this chamber first. We can worry about rituals once we're out of this place. And after we figure out what’s going on with the Council,” Callen says.

I need to take a minute. I lean back against a wall, checking for the murals first to make sure I’m not going to be accidentally fondling the Raven King’s dick.

"You know, my sources have been singing quite the interesting tune about our esteemed leaders.” Callen drops the bomb on everyone.

Marius's eyes narrow.

"What sort of tune?" Tiernan asks with raised eyebrows.

"Oh, you know, the usual conspiracy theories. Secret meetings, hidden agendas, possible total domination." He waves his hand dismissively, but his eyes are alert. "They seem to think the Council's true motives are far from the unity and cooperation they preach."

"And what do you think, princeling?" Marius's voice drips with disdain. "Or are you too busy licking your father's boots to form an opinion?"

I watch Callen’s smile freeze. Before he can do anything, Brigid steps between them, a position she seems to be taking a lot these days.

"This isn't helping," she says softly. "We need to work together."

You're right, darling. Though I must say, all this back and forth is making me rather—stiff.” Callen's gaze lingers on Brigid's still-disheveled shirt. "Perhaps we should consider some group bonding exercises to relieve the stress?"

I groan. "Now's not the time, Callen."

"On the contrary, my sour friend. I find laughter to be an excellent way to keep the shadows at bay. Give them a good spanking, so to speak." He winks at Brigid, and I see the flush that spreads across her cheeks even in the dim light. "And I'm sure we could all use a bit of... release."

Marius's eyes flash dangerously. "Watch yourself, princeling. Your silver tongue won't save you down here."

Callen leans in closer to Brigid, and I see her eyes stray to his mouth. "Oh, but it's not my tongue you need to worry about. It's what I can do with my—"

"Enough!" My voice is thunderous, silencing them all.

Marius's comment about Callen’s father nags at me. What does he know?

My gaze locks with Brigid's, and for a moment, the world narrows to just us. The apprehension in her eyes, the slight tremble of her lower lip – it ignites something instinctual within me. I want to protect her, to possess her, to—

"We should split up," Tiernan suggests, breaking the spell. "Cover more ground."

"No," Marius snaps. "We stay together."

I can't help but notice how his eyes never leave Brigid. The possessive glint there makes my blood boil. She's not his to claim.

As we begin our search, I hang back, watching. Tiernan's gentle touches as he helps Brigid over debris. Callen's stolen glances when he thinks no one's looking.

My fingers trace the damp stone walls, searching for any hidden mechanism or passage.

"Fuck," I mutter, withdrawing my hand. Something sharp has sliced my palm.

Brigid is at my side in an instant, her cool fingers cradling my injured hand. "Let me see."

The concern in her eyes, the softness of her touch—it’s unexpected.

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