Silver at Midnight: A Paranormal Romance Urban Fantasy (The Keepers of Knowledge Series Book 5) Bridgette O'Hare (ebook offline .txt) 📖

It read:

Midnight

Silver Moon

I’ll find you.

Kara’s forehead scrunched. “What the cac does that mean? And what the hell is a Silver Moon?”

“Not a clue. I meet with Cian at nine in the morning. I intend to find out.”

Nine

Sleep didn’t come easy. Too many things were rattling around in my head. I cracked open a bedroom window to let in the sound of the ocean waves crashing on the shore. It didn’t work. I kept going back to how Cian could know who I was by name, but not recognize me when I walked into the café. And then there was the inexplicable gravitational pull between us. I could almost feel the sensation of being near him still lingering on my skin. It wasn’t until the steady rhythm of rain began to hum softly against the windows that I was able to drift off to sleep.

That’s when I met him again.

The white-haired warrior.

Once again, I started out on the broken granite walkway in front of the same stone church. This time, I took a moment to study the structure. It reminded me of the many churches that dotted the moors and hillsides of Ireland. Churches that had seen the rise and fall of kingdoms, been sanctuaries, faced wars, and always survived.

I studied the design of the ornamental iron that held the wooden planks of the arched doors. My attention was drawn to an unusual symbol that seemed oddly familiar. A rounded top formed an Omega and then stretched out to each side resembling wings. Nestled in the center of the Omega, a sword-like object with a nail head elongated downward. I reached out instinctively and placed my hand on the symbol. Energy vibrated through my flesh and a vision of Cian leaning across the bar, with his intense gaze focused on me, flashed in my mind. I jerked my hand back from the door and stared at it.

After a moment to regain my focus, I pushed the door open and made my way down the long, dimly lit corridor. Once again, I was unable to resist gliding my fingers over the symbols carved into the walls along the way. Just like before, I recognized the characteristics of Fae magic mingled with the energy that fluctuated through my fingertips as I touched them. The power they emanated was unlike anything I had ever experienced. Even the strongest artifact I had encountered didn’t come close.

When I found myself before the large door at the end of the corridor, I didn’t hesitate as I had the first time. I pushed against it, and the same rush of energy pulsed beneath my palms. It was heavier than I remembered, requiring me to lean into it until it slowly began to give way. The layout of the cavern was exactly the same as before. Only this time, the white-haired warrior stood by the candlelit table with arms crossed over a broad chest as though he were expecting me.

“Aisling,” his deep voice resonated from the stone walls. “Do come in.”

He waited for me to take a few cautious steps toward him before he held one hand up and flicked his fingers together causing the door to shut slowly behind me. I paused where I was, glanced back at the door, and returned my attention to him without moving forward. I immediately noticed he was dressed in modern clothing—jeans, black combat type boots, and a black thermal long-sleeve shirt. The contrasting color palette made his snowy white hair stand out. Something about him, other than his fashion choices, looked different than the previous dream. Less rigid. A little less frightening. Still highly intimidating, though. I supposed being intimidating was normal when you were built like the statue of a Greek god.

“It’s nice to see you again,” he expressed.

I eyed him carefully. “Umm . . . not sure I can say the same just yet.”

His chest rumbled with a low chuckle. “I understand. Maybe we can get off to a better start this time.” He took a step in my direction and extended his hand. “I’m Ruman.”

I stepped forward to meet him halfway and took his hand. “Aish, but you seem t’ know that.”

“I do.”

“How exactly do you know that?” I asked bluntly, settling back in a stance, and crossing my arms over my chest.

A satisfied smile took over his face. “They weren’t kidding when they said you were no nonsense. I have informants in exceedingly high places,” he touted.

My eyes tightened. “How high?”

“You can’t possibly get any higher.”

“That’s pretty high,” I countered.

“Yes. It is.”

I glanced around the room, trying to take in my surroundings and memorize them. The entire room glowed with the light of candles burning. They lined a ledge that flanked the perimeter of the room about two feet from the ceiling. Shelves filled with potentially rare books and powerful artifacts occupied two walls, and a table rested near a third. But my attention was drawn to the book that was still resting on the small table surrounded by what seemed like a hundred lit candles and beside which Ruman stood quietly.

“So, I feel like I should be asking questions or taking notes or something. It’s strange, but I have this sense I’m here for a specific reason, and it feels like that book is part of that reason,” I nodded to the closed tome on the table.

“Intuitive,” he uttered. “Okay, let’s just get down to business. I’m sure you prefer it that way.” He moved to a position directly in front of the book and motioned for me to join him.

Standing beside him, I had never felt smaller in my entire life. I glanced up at him. “What are you?” I asked before I thought about it.

He smiled down at me. “I’m a Guardian of the highest power. A member of The Elect,” he stated like I should have known what he was talking about.

“Yeah, I have