Page 19 of Unveiled

Connor.

Adrian turned, his heart leaping before he could stop it.

The Highlander strode across the square like a storm given limbs. Focused, determined, and his eyes locked on Adrian as though nothing else in the valley existed.

Adrian’s breath caught. Stupid. Unwanted. Immediate.

When Connor reached him, Adrian felt warmth flare low behind his ribs.

“You’re here early,” Adrian said.

Connor’s voice was low, rough. “Wanted to get it out of the way.”

Before Adrian could answer, Xiathen approached, and Adrian reluctantly tore his gaze from Connor’s.

But as they followed Xiathen toward the Athenaeum, Adrian felt Connor’s presence beside him. Solid, steady, grounding.

Their arms brushed once. Neither stepped away.

He smelled like pine, cold air, something warm beneath the surface. Something that made Adrian’s pulse behave in ways entirely inappropriate for a diplomatic meeting.

Adrian leaned closer, murmuring, “You all right?”

Connor nodded. And when Adrian stumbled over a root, and reached out to Connor to steady himself, their hands brushed. It was a small touch, an insignificant thing

Adrian’s breath hitched, barely audible.

Connor’s eyes snapped to his. And for a heartbeat, the world hushed.

***

Connor

“Valours,” Xiathen said behind him, his voice distant and echoing. “You step toward your path.”

Xiathen was still speaking, something about the village, the energies, shifts in the Veil, whatever the hell that was, but the words washed over Connor in an indistinct rhythm, muted by the blood pounding in his ears. He forced himself to listen, to nod, to appear composed. A Valour. A protector. A king. A wolf.

“I can’t answer all your questions yet,” Xiathen said softly. “The Triarc is researching history to gain more knowledge about the strange set of circumstances we find ourselves in. Once they have consulted their writings and the Knowledge, they will better understand what we are doing here and what your part in our journey will be.”

“I haven’t even agreed to be part of any damn journey,” Connor said with a scowl. “I have no idea what this has to do with me personally. I need some answers for me and my pack. I need to understand if anyone from my world is in danger.”

Adrian nodded. “I feel the same way. There are strange elements at play here.” He hesitated, as if wondering what to say next. Then he sighed. “I may as well tell you what happened this morning when we left the village.”

Connor’s skin tingled with goosebumps. “What happened?” he asked roughly.

“I saw a shadow.” Adrian stared out into the distance. “It followed me to the car, made my skin crawl. Max saw it too, although he wasn’t as affected as I was.”

“What did it look like?” Xiathen’s voice was strained. “Did you manage to see its form?”

“It was dark, not quite black, and had long appendages. Not much of a face. All eyes, mostly.”

Connor edged forward, unable to stop himself. “How close did it get to you?”

Adrian blinked, snapping back into the room. “Too close. It didn’t touch me, but…” His fingers curled unconsciously at his sides. “I could feel it. Like it was sniffing around me. Testing.”

Xiathen nodded. “Nightwrought do not test without purpose.”

Connor braced himself. “Nightwrought?”