Chapter 127: A Shadow from the Past
ADRIAN’S P.O.V.
I froze mid-step, Leonard’s words ricocheting through my mind like a curse. Margaret. That name was a specter, a memory I had buried centuries ago, clawing its way to the surface. My heart, long since dead and silent, sank with the weight of something I hadn’t felt in centuries—dread.
"Leonard," I said, my voice calm, yet laced with an undercurrent of something that made even Lucian stop his casual stride. "Say that again."
Leonard, finally noticing the tension, straightened. He scratched the back of his neck and repeated cautiously, "I ran into Margaret. She was... happy to hear you’re back in the valley. She even thanked me for letting her know."
"Thanked you," I echoed, the calmness in my tone more dangerous than any shout.
Leonard nodded. "Yeah, seemed thrilled. Smiled a lot. You know, big Margaret energy."
I closed my eyes, pinching the bridge of my nose as if the action might ward off the headache brewing behind it. Margaret—the name itself was enough to unravel the carefully constructed facade I had built over centuries.
Juliette, my ever-perceptive mate, was by my side in an instant. Her hand slipped into mine, warm and beautiful. "Adrian," she said softly, her voice as steady as the sunrise. "What is it? What’s wrong?"
I turned to her, smiling faintly, though the expression felt foreign and unconvincing. "Nothing you need to worry about, love," I murmured, brushing my thumb over her knuckles.
But Juliette wasn’t easily fooled. She tilted her head, her sharp eyes narrowing. "Come on, Adrian, I know you’re lying." She said and before she could press further, I squeezed her hand and then addressed the group.
"Everyone," I began, my voice carrying the weight of the unspoken. "I owe you an apology for the pixie Incident. You shouldn’t have gone through all that as my visitors. And I also want to apologize for... what’s to come. Leonard’s words mean I’ll have a visitor soon. One I’ve spent lifetimes avoiding. One I would rather run from than face. So I must be prepared and I need to make this place secure and I..."