Free Carrier 02: Shadow of the Mark by Leigh Fallon Page A

loves to be found, and families to be had. Where did it all leave Fionn? I felt a sudden rush of compassion for the man who had dedicated his entire life to them . . . to us.
    Adam’s face softened. “I never really thought of Fionn’s future or our future without him. He’s always just been there.”
    Áine trundled down the stairs and stopped at the kitchen door. “Hey, guys, fancy going out later? I don’t want Matthew talking to Hugh tonight—he could wreck everything.”
    “Maybe. Where is he?” Adam asked.
    “Passed out on my bed. What was he thinking? He knew Hugh was going to be here!”
    “Maybe you two should talk some more about this whole intended thing,” I said. “He doesn’t seem too happy about it.”
    “Nah, he’s fine,” Áine said.
    I scrunched up my face. “Trust me, have another chat.”
    “Not now. The last semi-coherent thing he said was ‘digia know b-b-bannnnanash wash a herb?’”
    I laughed. “Oh god, he’s a mess.”
    “So are you up for tonight?” she asked again.
    “Sure, but I promised Caitlin I’d drop by.”
    “Bring her along as well.”
    I turned back to Adam. “You want to?”
    “Sure.”
    “Okay, Áine, you’re on. I’ll call Caitlin.”
    Matthew sobered up by the evening. Looking a little sheepish and nursing a massive hangover, he came out with us and actually seemed to fall for Caitlin. The speed at which he could swap affections left me dizzy.
    We went to a local pub called the White Lady. It still felt weird to me that we could all hang out in a bar. I kept expecting to be carded. Tonight there was a cool band playing, and the place was buzzing. The only thing bringing me down was Rían, who sat in the corner of our booth, looking miserable. I imagined myself running my finger over his angular profile. His eyes met mine. For a moment, I couldn’t look away. A crooked smile worked its way across his face, and the bottom fell out of my stomach. What was wrong with me? I had to get a grip. I got up.
    “Are you okay?” Adam asked.
    “Sure, I’m just going to the bathroom,” I said, avoiding his eyes. I didn’t dare to breathe until I was away from everyone and standing in front of the sink. “You do not want Rían. You do not want Rían,” I whispered to myself over and over as I splashed cold water on my cheeks. But all I could see were Rían’s black eyes, laden with unspoken intentions.
    I finally got myself under control and erased the smoldering image of his face from my brain. Relieved, I fixed my hair and opened the door. There, leaning against the wall, was Rían.
    “Why are you here?” I asked, feeling my stomach start to twist again. I glanced down the little hallway, filled with crates of empty bottles and smelling of stale beer, wondering if we could be seen. Luckily, our table was hidden around the corner.
    “I was just checking on you. You seemed a bit . . . shaken.”
    I tucked my hair behind my ears with trembling fingers. “Oh, I’m fine.” I started to leave, but Rían put his arm across the narrow hall, blocking my way. I tried desperately to avoid his dark, burning eyes boring into mine.
    “What are you doing?”
    “No, Megan. The question is, what are you doing?”
    “What do you mean?”
    “You know what I’m talking about.”
    “No, I don’t.”
    He swung around so his hands were on the wall on either side of my face. “You’re not a good liar, Megan.”
    “Rían, please stop. Adam will see us.”
    He leaned closer to me. I could see my reflection in his pupils, my face surrounded in a halo of flickering flames in his irises. His eyes held me in a vise grip.
    “He’ll see what?” Rían whispered, his lips now so close to mine that I could feel his breath.
    “Rían, please, don’t do this.” I pressed my head into the wall, trying to put distance between us.
    “Do what? Ignore this thing going on between us? Ignore the fact that when I’m with Chloe, I have to push images of you out of my mind? Get