Page 104 of Unveiled

“Of course,” Xiathen murmured.

He lifted one hand over Adrian’s chest—careful, deliberate—not touching the glowing sigils but sensing the air a breath above them. The room dimmed. Adrian inhaled sharply. Xiathen froze, his pupils dilated, their voice trembling. “Oh gods.”

Connor frowned. “What?”

“The mark is changing.”

Adrian exhaled. “Changing how?”

Xiathen stepped back a pace. “It is no longer purely the Council’s magic. It has fused with something else.”

Connor growled. “Meaning?” Christ, I hate all this mumbo-jumbo crap. Give me an enemy I can feel, touch, and I’ll show them who’s boss.

“It reflects two signatures now.” Xiathen’s voice dipped low. “The Council of Veils and yours.” He turned to Connor. “It carries your magic too.”

“What the hell does that mean?” Connor demanded. Damn the man, why couldn’t he come out and say something that made sense straight away?

Xiathen clasped his hands together, his tone reverent and afraid. “It means the Valour bond is no longer merely symbolic. It is metaphysical. When the Heartline tried to pull in Adria,n your vow anchored him. Your essence wove into the mark.”

Adrian blinked. “So the mark is—”

“Half Marked,” Xiathen whispered. “Half Connor.”

Connor was ready to punch a hole through the wall. “So now what?” he snapped. “They can’t pull him without pulling through me, is that what you’re saying?”

“Yes.” Xiathen swallowed. “But it is more than that. The Veil now recognises your bond as part of the fabric between worlds.”

Adrian sighed. “Just give us the bottom line. All this mysteriousness is making me tired.”

“Meaning the next time Adrian is pulled,” Xiathen closed his eyes, “Connor will be pulled too.”

“That’s not going to happen,” Connor said flatly.

Adrian shook his head violently. “No, Connor, I won’t let them.”

“You won’t let? Adrian, you think I care about what they can do?”

Adrian’s voice fractured. “I care what they can do to you.”

Connor stepped closer, kneeling so their faces were level. “You’re not doing this alone,” he whispered fiercely. “Ever.”

Xiathen cleared his throat gently. “There is more.”

Connor’s head snapped around. “What now?”

“The valley responded to your bond.” Xiathen motioned to the window. “The fractures dimmed when you held him. The Heartline closed because the mark rewove itself around your vow.”

“So it’s stabilising through us.” Adrian paced the room.

“Yes,” Xiathen said quietly. “But at a cost.”

“What cost?” Adrian demanded.

“You.” Xiathen’s voice darkened. “Both of you.”

Connor bristled. “Explain.”

Xiathen looked at Adrian, sorrow in his eyes. “Each time a rend touches him, or the Council whispers through the mark, the strain will not be his alone. It will echo into you as well.”