Page 88 of Shadowed Fate

"Easy there, big guy," Callen chuckles. "We need her in one piece."

Rory releases me with a sheepish grin. "Sorry, Brigid. Just happy to see you."

His warm hug is a stark contrast to the absolute hatred emanating from Lochan. I catch Tiernan's eye, and he offers a subtle smile. My chest tightens.

allen's voice cuts through my thoughts, all business. "Brigid and I were in the greenhouse. I felt a presence, and not a good one."

The room goes still. Even Lochan's scowl falters.

"What kind of presence?" Tiernan asks, leaning forward.

Callen's eyes darken. "Dark. Old. Like that night we brought Brigid here."

My blood runs cold. Flashes of that night—suffocating shadows, terror—assault my mind.

"You're saying it followed her here?" Lochan's voice drips with accusation as he turns his eyes towards me.

I open my mouth to retort, but Callen steps forward. "There's more."

Callen's gaze flickers to me, then back to the others. "The Raven King had an heir."

The words hang in the air, heavy as lead. Why didn't he mention the rest of it? That I might have some kind of a connection to this?

"An heir?" Lochan's eyes narrow. "How do you know this?"

I can feel Callen's hesitation, the careful choosing of his words. "Let's just say we have a reliable source."

Tiernan clears his throat. "I had a new premonition this morning."

All eyes turn to him.

"I saw The Morrigan, surrounded by ravens." Tiernan’s bright green eyes are distant. "The Morrigan returns when the veil of shadows is raised to reveal the truth.”

I feel sick and the enormous room suddenly feels too small, too warm. I remember what I found searching the dean’s office.

Logan rounds on me, eyes blazing. "What do you know?"

I struggle to find my voice. "Nothing! I swear, I didn't—"

"Bullshit." Lochan cuts me off. "The night we found you, you used shadow magic. Magic like that doesn't just appear. You've had it all along, haven't you?"

The accusation hurts. Anger flares, hot and sudden. "No, I fucking haven't!"

"Then explain the birds," he snarls.

"What?"

"The visions. The ones you've had your whole life." Lochan's words drip with venom. "Did you think I’d forget?"

"I didn't... I didn't know they meant anything."

"Convenient," Lochan sneers. "You never once made the connection to the Raven King? You expect us to believe that?"

Beneath the anger, I know he’s right. I knew.

I knew the minute I heard his name.

Callen steps between us. "Children. Let's play nice." He stays in between Lochan and I. "We're all on the same side here, aren't we?"

---