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

“You are definitely goin’ t’ have to show me how t’ do that,” I said.

“Gladly,” Cian replied, then turned to my uncle. “Lachlan, I suggested she stay with you until we can determine who mimicked my likeness and why. I'm sure she can take care of herself, but I would feel better knowing there was an extra set of eyes to keep a lookout.”

“Aye,” Uncle Lachlan agreed. “However, I’ll be leavin’ after dinner tonight and won't return ‘til mornin’. There’s someone I have t’ meet t’ collect an artifact.” His gaze danced playfully from Cian to me and back. “I trust ye will stay with her t’ assure her safety?”

“Do I not get a say in this?” I blurted.

“No,” they said in unison.

I threw my hands up and fell against the back of my chair, grabbed my coffee, and took a sip. They both just looked at me. “Oh, don't mind me,” I snipped. “I'll just be sitting here drinking my coffee. Letting the menfolk decide what's best for me.” I rolled my eyes and took another sip.

“Ah good, an’ I thought ye were goin’ t’ argue,” Uncle Lachlan needled.

“You can stay in my guest room,” Cian offered. “Or I can set up on your couch and wait to see if your visitor returns.”

“He’s not goin’ t’ get through my ward,” I asserted.

“No, I’m sure not. But if he did return, I’d be able to track him while you maintained the ward. Teamwork, Aish,” Cian proposed. “Don’t try t’ handle it on your own if ya don’t have t’.”

“Precisely,” Uncle Lachlan affirmed.

“Very well,” I conceded. “My place, it is. Next topic, please. Wait. Strike that. I have a quick question first.” I turned my attention to my uncle.

“How did ya manage to get hooked up with the Davar Magén?” I asked, then looked at Cian. “Actually, I could ask you the same question. So . . . I’m goin’ t’ need an answer from ya both.”

They did that thing men do where they stare at each other like one is going to magically send the right response to the other. I shook my head. “Look, one of ya is gonna have t’ go first. Uncle Lach, I’m voting you. Go.”

One more look was exchanged before he began. “Cian and I ‘ave been acquaintances fer some time. Pyreshore is a tight-knit town. A few years ago, he came t’ me with an issue regarding an artifact and needed some background knowledge in confidence. It happened t’ be something I was able t’ accommodate, and thus, we established a working relationship—with an understanding.”

“And that understanding is?” I questioned.

“If something I ask of Lachlan is ever a conflict of interest in his position as Keeper, then he declines,” Cian added.

“I see. And has that happened?” I inquired.

“Only once,” Uncle Lachlan stated. “There was an object the Keeper for the Shifters was also pursuing. I felt I shouldn’t get involved or appear t’ be taking sides. So, I chose to remain neutral t’ maintain my integrity as a Keeper. The artifact is where it belongs now; ‘ats what matters.”

I angled my head to face Cian. “Your turn.”

“My story is simple. I was born into the Davar Magén. Family business, so t’ speak,” he said matter-of-factly. “It’s really all I’ve ever known. Make no mistake, I’ve always had the opportunity t’ live life. For example, I have Rocky’s here, I help Brenhin with the café—also a family business. I’ve been an adventurer and a traveler, been able t’ experience so many things. But those are all secondary t’ my duties t’ the Davar Magén.”

I studied his gaze as he spoke, and I was drawn in. Not by his words, but by the emotions swirling behind his eyes. He spoke of living life and having experiences, but what I saw was regret. I saw a longing for something more, and I wanted to do everything in my power to make sure he had the chance at more. Cian McCallister was not going to die on my watch. Even if it meant taking his place. But I couldn’t say that . . . not at that moment. Not in the presence of my uncle. Without knowing about the vision, he wouldn’t understand. What I could do, to push my mind in another direction, was ask another question.

“So, a family business?” I resurrected the question he’d avoided at the library. “Does that mean your brother is also Davar Magén? And Kage? Since you masterfully avoided answering earlier.” I widened my eyes at him in a playful manner.

“Didn’t miss that, did ya?” he pointed out.

“Nope.”

A satisfied smile formed. “T’ answer your question, yes. They are both members of Davar Magén as well.”

“Okay,” I replied.

“Okay?” Cian repeated. “That’s it? It’s that easy?”

I nodded. “Aye. I’m mostly satisfied with those responses. Now . . . I’d like to discuss the Silver Scrolls.”

“Do ye not think we should focus on the location of the Kanna Stone?” Uncle Lachlan asked.

I glanced to Cian who nodded in support of my thought process. “I think there might be something in the Silver Scrolls that could lead to the location of the Stone,” I explained. “Cian says you have studied the one in Davar Magén’s possession.”

“Aye,” he confirmed.

“Have you decoded the language?” I asked.

His jaw clenched and he glanced at Cian just long enough for some sort of an unspoken exchange. “Nay, I ‘ave not,” he informed me and exchanged another brief look with Cian.

“A’ight. What gives? What are the two of ya not sayin’?” I demanded.

Uncle Lachlan gave a subtle nod in Cian’s direction and said, “Tis not my story t’ tell, my friend.”

Cian’s chest visibly rose and fell as he pulled in a deep breath and exhaled. “I don’t believe this is the place t’ tell it,” he stipulated. “Let’s table that for after dinner, when I can offer visuals.” His eyes perked up with amusement. “Ya like visuals,” he taunted.

“It’s a good thing