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

“You saw that?” he asked calmly, and I immediately wished I hadn’t let the words slip out.

I nodded.

“Hmm. I didn’t—” he stopped his sentence short and changed his wording. “I had only intended to show you some of what had happened up to now. So you could understand what The Saiad are capable of and why we need to put an end to their organization once and for all.”

“I think I understand. I never knew just how much destruction and death had been left in their wake. But why is now so important? And where do I come in?”

“The Saiad are on the verge of locating the Kanna Stone, and we must stop them at all costs. The Kanna Stone is capable of so much more than any being is aware. Based on the information you fed them while you were undercover, you know more about it than anyone, and even your knowledge of its power is immensely limited. And . . . they trusted you. We are hoping they will trust you again. You’re our best chance for infiltration. Will you help?”

I slumped my head in thought and caught sight of my hands—which seemed small next to his—still gripping him as if his life depended on my not letting go. I instantly released my hold and retracted them back over my thighs. I glanced up and met the warmth of a fiery blue stare. Without so much as a touch, it seared into my soul, and all I could see was the moment he died. I would have done anything to prevent that moment. Even willingly walk back into the lion’s den. And that was exactly what I was going to do.

“I’ll help.”

He acknowledged my decision with a slow nod.

“So, what does that mean?” I asked. “I’m supposed to be in Pyreshore to train to be a Keeper, or at least decide if that’s what I want to do. Or need to do. Or . . . I don’t know. This is a lot to process,” I rambled.

“I know. But I think you should speak with Lachlan before you decide anything. This should be a fully informed decision.” A sense of concern flanked his expression. “Talk to him, think this over, and we can talk again tomorrow.”

I bobbed my head in agreement. He was right, I needed to know what Uncle Lachlan hadn’t been telling me earlier. Not that anything he could say would change my mind. The scene that had flashed in my vision, of Cian’s body slumping in defeat . . . I had to do whatever I could to prevent that from happening. Surely it was no different than my Seer Sight. I had been given that vision for a reason. Even though Grams said that once someone knows their fate, it’s sealed, I intended to do anything in my power to change that outcome.

“I just have one more question before I go.”

“Anything. Ask.”

“What I saw . . . you didn’t know?”

Cian pulled in a slow breath and released it. “No. But I am sworn to defend the chosen. If I die . . . I will gladly accept my fate.”

“And what if this chosen person isn’t worth dying for?”

His expression relaxed, and something I couldn’t put my finger on lingered just beneath his gaze. “I think she is.”

Thirteen

First thing I did when I got into my car was call Uncle Lachlan. He didn’t answer, so I left him a rather vague voicemail that hinted at something being wrong, because in my mind there were all kinds of things wrong, without making it sound like a life-or-death situation. Though, based on my vision during Cian’s mental download, it kind of was.

I got my thoughts together, checked the time, and called Kara. It was just before eleven on a Saturday, and I fully expected her to answer fairly quickly.

“What’s up, Buttercup?” Kara chimed as her perky smile filled the screen. Before I could say a word, her expression changed. “Whoaaaa. What’s going on? That is not the face of someone who’s breakfast meeting went as expected.”

“Ya know me a lit’l too well. I’m all kinds of mentally twisted.”

“I do, so spill,” she insisted.

“Well, it wasn’t a terrible meeting. I learned a few things, but . . . shocker . . . I walked away with a new set of questions.”

“Of course you did. But what did you learn about Cian . . . if that’s even his real name. Most importantly, is he a free agent? Are we dealing with a possible rogue operative here?”

“Nay. Not rogue. But ughh . . . I didn’t even broach the subject about his footprint being an alias. Cac.”

“Oh wow. You really are twisted up. That is not like you. Okay, let’s talk this through. First . . . take a breath and clear your head.”

I drew in a long, slow breath and exhaled just as slowly. It helped.

“Now . . . is there anything I need to do to help answer the new questions?” Kara asked.

I closed my eyes and started replaying bits of the conversation with Cian in my mind. My eyes suddenly flew open.

“There it is!” Kara exclaimed.

“Can ya send me the encrypted scans of the journal I created when I was studyin’ the Silver Scroll? And everything we have on the Kanna Stone. I mean everything, no matter how insignificant it might seem.”

Kara regarded me curiously for only a split second before responding. “I can. I’m heading to the office in a couple of hours. It will be the first thing on my to-do list.”

“Thanks! You, my friend, are a gem!”

“And this has something to do with Mr. McCallister?” she raised an eyebrow.

“Maybe. I don’t know. But something he referenced struck a chord, and I really think I came across it while researching something written in the scroll. I’m hoping I might have made a notation about it in my journal.”

“I’m a little surprised you don’t