Page 12 of Shadowed Fate

The word "ludicrous" barely forms in my mind before a familiar chill runs down my spine—a reminder of my visions, the skies that are blackened by the vortex of beating wings, the blood red land below. The ravens that are always waiting for me.

Callen leans toward me, so close I can feel the heat of his body. He smells fresh like the night air in winter. His light eyes, glinting and sharp, brazenly rove over my body. I feel like I’m wearing I’m wearing crotchless panties and a see-through bra, not my very unsexy work uniform.

'Trust us, Brigid, you're not alone in this world. There are others like you at Grimstone, and we can help you understand what’s happening to you." He reaches out and touches the cuff of my sleeve, running his fingers over it.

I feel light-headed. I swallow, unable to look away from his strong fingers barely touching me. Not even me, my clothes.

Then the taunts from earlier come back. I was called a lot of things over the course of my life, but after that night with Stacy, ‘slut’ was their favorite.

Callen scans my face, then narrows his eyes at what he sees.

I yank my arm away from his touch.

The logical part of me screams that this is insane, that magic isn't real. But the visions I've had my entire life...they've always felt so real. My heart races as I struggle to process everything.

"This is...impossible," I mutter, more to myself than to them.

Lochan's jaw tightens as he finally speaks. "It's not impossible. It's reality. Your reality."

He steps closer, his presence overwhelming. I can't help but notice how his broad shoulders fill the small space of my cottage, how his eyes seem to burn with an unnatural intensity. He towers over me, and I lower my eyes.

"We don't have time for this," Lochan growls, and I feel him move past me.

As he moves, his fingers accidentally brush against my arm. A buzz of electricity shoots through me, and I gasp, my eyes darting up to meet his. For a split second, I see a look of shock on his face.

But just as quickly, his expression hardens again.

He glares at me with such venom that I instinctively take another step back. My heart beats hard in my chest, a mix of fear and... something else. Something I don't want to name.

"Why do you look at me like that?" I demand, my voice barely above a whisper. "Like you hate me?"

Lochan's eyes narrow. "I don't know you enough to hate you," he spits out. "And I don't need to."

Callen steps between us, his voice smooth. "Let's not get ahead of ourselves." His eyes glint with dark amusement. "Brigid, darling, you must understand the precarious position you're in."

I wrap my arms around myself, suddenly cold. "What do you mean?"

He leans in, close enough that I can smell him, and he smells incredible. "The world you've known is but a veil. There are real dangers that lurk in the shadows. Dangers that are now acutely aware of your... awakening."

My mind flashes to the forest, to the mass that attacked me. I shiver. And forget about supernatural forces—I know Donal’s friends aren’t going to take what happened lying down. They’ll come back for me at some point. I wince as I remember that I gave Donal a spare key.

Callen's fingers brush my cheek, feather-light. "Grimstone can protect you, teach you. You'll be safe there. With us."

I want to pull away, but something in his touch, his words, holds me transfixed. My resolve wavers.

“I—" I start, then falter. The truth I've hidden for so long bubbles up, threatening to spill over. “The people here call me crazy, avoid me. I’m an easy target, like tonight, before you found me."

My confession hangs in the air, heavy with unspoken pain.

“Explain.” Callen’s playful tone is gone and his eyes are like like ice.

“Two men attacked me. I cut one of them,” I say, seeing the scene playing out again in my mind. I close my eyes, but before I do I see Lochan shift from his position, his fist clenched.

Callen’s breath ghosts my ear. “Don’t you worry about those cretins, darling. They’ll be dealt with soon enough. But, there are far worse things lurking in the night."

"What...kind of things?" I ask, trying to keep my face a mask, giving away no emotion despite being scared shitless right now.

Callen trails a finger down my arm. He smiles like he’s savoring the goosebumps it elicits. "Creatures beyond your wildest nightmares. Beings that would tear you apart to claim what you possess."

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