Page 68 of Shadowed Fate

There’s more to her story. I just have to find out what it is before she can hurt anyone else.

The murder, that conversation I overheard between the dean and some unknown woman, The Morrigan prophecy, all pieces of a puzzle I haven’t figured out yet, but I will.

I glance out a narrow lead paned window, set deep in the thick stone, staring out at the heavy morning fog surrounding the academy.

I have to find the truth.

Before it's too late. Before shadow magic destroys everything all over again. The Council should have gotten involved sooner. There’s no way they didn’t know about Brigid— the dean would have had to alert them the minute he was made aware of her existence.

I turn the corner, and my chest tightens.

Brigid, walking alone towards the dining hall. Anger surges through me like wildfire.

Without thinking, just reacting, I move.

Deliberate and predatory, I don’t take my eyes off of her as I move towards her with purposeful, calculated steps.

Brigid slows, sensing me. Her posture goes rigid, then she turns to face me, a look of unease crossing her face.

I close the distance between us in three long strides. She backs up, but I keep coming until her back hits the wall. I plant my hands on either side of her head, caging her in.

"What do you want, Lochan?" Her voice is steady. But I see the pulse fluttering in her throat.

She’s scared.

Smart girl.

I lean in close, so close I can smell her skin, something floral and sweet. Her scent makes my cock twitch, unbidden. "The Council sent investigators," I say slowly. "They want to talk to you."

Brigid's eyes lock onto mine, challenge blazing in their depths. Despite my intimidation, her chin lifts, jaw set. It's like looking in a fucking mirror—all that hostility I feel reflected right back at me. To my surprise she doesn’t acknowledge what I said about the Council.

"Why do you hate me so much, Lochan? What have I ever done to you?"

The question catches me off guard. WhydoI hate her?

Because she's dangerous. Because she's hiding something. Because there’s something in me that responds to her whether I want it to or not.

"I don't trust you," I say, leaning in closer. "You show up out of nowhere and everything goes to shit? That's not a coincidence."

But even as the words leave my mouth, I'm acutely aware of her body heat, the rise and fall of her chest.

My gaze drops to her mouth, her full, pink lips parted slightly as she breathes. Her cheeks are rosy against her pale skin. She’s like a ripe, exotic fruit, ready to bite into.

Fuck. Why does she have to look like that?

“Like I said before, you don't know anything about me," Brigid whispers, her breath warm on my face.

I want to grab her, shake her until she tells me the truth.

I want to slam her against the wall and fuck her senseless.

The conflicting urges war inside me, knotted up in a baffling mess.

"That's the problem, Brigid. You come out of nowhere, with magic that’s supposed to be gone for years. You say you know nothing about it, but that’s not possible. There’s more to you. I feel it. And all the lies you tell won’t change that."

Our faces are now mere inches apart. The silver of space between us is buzzing. My pulse speeds up, blood rushing in my ears. I'm not sure if I want to wrap my hands around her throat or crush my lips against hers.

Brigid's eyes meet mine and I see the resentment in them, but there's something else there too. She doesn't back away, she holds her ground. Her chest rises and falls rapidly, and I watch her cheeks flush.

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