40. Blood Ritual

The air thickened with tension, silence falling between them. But after a moment, Brigid sighed, clearly recognizing she owed them some kind of explanation. She turned her gaze to Maverick, deliberately avoiding Jayden. “You know why I help you, don’t you? It’s because you were sent by nature itself,” she said firmly, her tone almost respective. “That’s why I aid you—and only you.” Her eyes darted to the others, pointedly skipping over Jayden as if he were invisible. Swan stepped forward, unbothered by Brigid’s unfriendly behavior. “He may not be like us,” she said, her voice steady, “but he’s more like us than you realize. He’s the one with the green eyes.” Jayden stiffened at her words, his mind racing. *Green eyes? What does that even mean?* he thought. Brigid’s expression darkened, suspicion flashing in her eyes. “You’re lying,” she hissed, her voice low but sharp. Swan didn’t flinch. Instead, she sank to her knees in front of Brigid, her gaze unwavering. “I can prove it to you,” s