Page 40 of Unveiled

“Immensely,” Morrigan said without a hint of shame. “Prophecy is rarely this entertaining.”

Adrian pinched the bridge of his nose, exhaling. “Right. Connor, we need to get everyone together at your castle.”

“Right. They’ll want answers,” Connor said grimly. “And they’ll want them from us.”

Adrian nodded grimly. “Then we give them the truth.”

Connor nodded, his jaw set. “Let’s go.”

Morrigan watched in silence as they left.

The walk back through Glengáill was silent at first. Lanterns flickered in doorways. Windows glowed warm behind old glass. The scent of rain lingered in the air, mixed with something strange and metallic. Magic gathered. An impending storm gathering in more ways than one.

Adrian’s steps slowed once they reached the edge of village. “Connor,” he said softly.

Connor stopped and turned.

Adrian hesitated, the wind catching his coat. “What if the clans don’t accept this? What if telling them we’re Valours, telling them about the Council, makes everything worse?”

Connor held his gaze. “Then we remind them who their Kings are. Remind them what loyalty means.”

Adrian gave a wry smile. “And if they’re afraid?”

“Then we stand in front of that fear,” Connor said. “Together.”

The bond thrummed. not in warning but recognition. Warm.

Adrian exhaled. “You’re starting to sound like a Valour.”

Connor scowled. “Don’t push your luck.”

Adrian smiled. “Let’s get going. We have two packs to appease.”

***

Connor

The great hall of Brannigan Castle had not held this many bodies, this much heat, or this much uneasy silence in years.

Firelight glowed along the stone walls, catching on weapons mounted high and tapestries older than any living clan member. A long table ran down the centre of the room, polished to a mirror shine by Moira’s hand.

The Brannigan clan had gathered on one side, Connor at the head, Cairo and Sallie at his feet, Fraser at his right. Louella sat in the near corner, Laird fidgeted nervously near the hearth, Angie and John murmured quietly together, while Briar sat silent and watchful.

Graeme sat quietly reading a book, seemingly untroubled by the activity around him. Moira hovered over everyone, a den mother to the fullest. Little Alicia was already in bed. The rest milled around, talking among themselves.

The opposite side of the hall remained empty until the heavy oak doors swung open. The Gauthier clan entered like a storm and a procession.

Adrian came first, snowflakes still clinging to the dark waves of his hair, Max a step behind him. Rowland shooed everyone aside with a grandfatherly roll of his eyes, Piper, Jasmine and Laurence swept in, and Garrett stalked in last. Connor couldn’t fail to see the anger and mistrust on his face as he glowered at everyone in the room.

That one’s going to be trouble.

Marilee entered after everyone else, her body shrouded in wariness.

Connor rose to his feet. If the bond hadn’t been tugging at him, winding through his chest like a taut thread, he would’ve stood anyway. But the sensation—the heat beneath his skin—tightened in Adrian’s presence.

Adrian paused near the end of the table, his gaze catching Connor’s for a moment too long.

“Welcome to Brannigan Castle,” Connor said, his voice steady though his pulse jumped. “We’ve a lot to discuss.”