Page 42 of Unveiled

“No,” Connor agreed. “Because the Council didn’t want the village.” He inhaled deeply. “They want us.”

“The Valours,” Piper whispered, her eyes darting between the two men.

“It’s time everyone knew,” Adrian said softly. “The Council used the storm to force an awakening. To bind us, the Valours. Connor, the Veilwarden, and me, the Marked.”

Gasps scattered across the hall. Adrian lowered his gaze, his shoulders tight. Connor swallowed hard.

Garrett stood so abruptly his chair screeched. “You’re saying this fuckin’ Council brought them all here because of him?” He jabbed a finger at Adrian. “And him?” Then another at Connor.

Max rose slightly, his eyes narrowing. “Sit down.”

“Make me,” Garrett spat.

The shadows along the walls flickered at the challenge.

Adrian slammed his palm on the table. “Both of you. Enough.”

Silence crashed, smothering the commentary.

Piper gave a small, exhausted laugh. “Well. At least the Council didn’t steal all our theatrics.”

Adrian stood, his fingers tapping against the wood. “I won’t pretend this is easy to hear,” he said, addressing both clans. “But the Council marked me. Literally.” He hesitated, then tugged his shirt collar down enough to expose the faint, darkening curve beneath the skin.

A ripple of shock moved through the hall. Louella gasped. Laird took a step back. Alicia whispered, “It’s like the drawing.”

Adrian replied, his voice quieter now. “This mark isn’t a brand, it’s awakening. It reacts to the Council. To magic. And apparently,” his eyes flicked involuntarily toward Connor, “to him.”

Connor’s breath caught. “The bond between Valours pulls us together. Proximity strengthens the Veil. Distance weakens it.”

Fraser exhaled sharply. “Which means if you run from each other—”

“We could drag the valley down with us.”

Moira stood, hands on her hips. “So what happens now? Tell us plainly.”

Connor sighed. “The Council is searching for Adrian, for reasons of their own. And where he goes, I must follow. Our bond is the last protection this valley has.”

Rowland rubbed his face. “That’s a heavy burden for two men.”

“Two Kings,” Max corrected quietly. “Who didn’t ask for any of this.”

Connor’s gaze flicked to Adrian. “Aye. But we’re getting it anyway.”

Adrian’s lips curved faintly. “I suppose that’s one thing we agree on.”

Garrett scoffed. “And what if we don’t want to tie ourselves to Brannigans?”

John bristled. “You’ll no’ have much choice when the shadows come for you.”

Max crossed his broad arms. “We’ve seen the Nightwrought. They’re not something you fight alone.”

Piper put a hand on Garrett’s arm, surprising him into silence. “We either stand together, or it seems the Council will tear us apart one by one.”

Rowland nodded. “She’s right.”

Alicia piped up from the top of the stairs. “The shadows were big in my dream. But the light was bigger when everyone held hands.”

Louella stood up. “Alicia, you’re supposed to be in bed. Back to your bedroom now. This is adult time.”