Page 37

For years I had been alone with my magic, a powerful being hiding among a sea of normal people, trying to fit in and remain unnoticed.

Having someone to connect with now feels unbelievable, as if I’m home when I’m near him, and it makes me wonder how it will feel to be around Nimai, my mother, and others with magic. Will it be like this with everyone?

Even though I know what it must look like to Ev, this is not a romantic attraction.

This is a physical response to his magic.

It’s not that he isn’t extremely handsome, but this is different.

We are linked by our gifts, and he is devoted to me.

It’s strange, I can admit that to myself.

But somehow, it also feels right. Something in us calls to one another, an ancient fire rumbling inside.

Though it does appear Silas is more in tune with the visions than I am, more in tune with all of it—and is accepting the changes better than I am. I’m still seeking more information from those visions, more clues as to what’s happening with Nimai.

If Silas is able to feel my anger and pain, if that creates visions for him when I’m feeling it, then Nimai.

..I suck in a sharp breath at the realization.

The pain I’ve been feeling is Nimai’s pain.

They aren’t just dreams or visions of some possible reality.

If Silas felt the connection to me in that very moment as it happened, then something is happening in the here and now with my sister.

But as far as I know, Nimai is tucked away in the southern camp awaiting her birthday in a few days. So what could her pain even be from? The next vision that comes, I will concentrate all my effort on finding out what it is. I have to.

I try to shake off the thought, visibly shaking my head as I do so. When I glance up, I’m met with emerald eyes darting between me and Silas. Ash is grinning ear to ear as she stands to the side, behind him.

“What?” I snap.

Silas stiffens at the coldness of my tone.

His hand reaches back out for me, curling around my waist protectively as I stand facing him.

It causes a twinge of guilt to pull at me.

The lack of control over my emotions tonight is causing chaos for him.

It isn’t fair and I need to get a handle on myself.

But Ash is unphased by the sharp response. No surprise there.

“That was...intense. That’s all,” she offers, her tone cool and even. Silas turns toward her finally, his hand still resting on my waist.

I tilt my head to watch Silas fully take in Ashbel. He had been so intent on protecting me when he arrived that he was unaware of her presence, just as he was unaware of Evander. That’s a first , I think, for any man to not notice Ash the second they walk into a room.

But there it is. He looks almost awestruck and I have to hold back a laugh at the enchanted look on his face.

“Ash, this is Silas,” I say, introducing the two.

Ash makes an amused sound. “I gathered that.” She waves a hand between the two of us, her eyes focusing on his hand as it lies gently on my waist. Gentle but possessive, I note.

Silas tips his head in recognition of the introduction.

His eyes are roaming over her, taking in every inch of Ash, every curve—from her flaming curls, to the bright green of her eyes, the smattering of gorgeous freckles across her nose and cheeks, to her naturally plush and rouge-tinted lips.

I feel his hand drop from where it sits along my hip, and I try to contain my smile but am unsuccessful.

A smirk brims on my lips, turning the corners of my mouth up at the sight.

Ash notices his roving gaze as well and pops her hip out, showing off the glorious curves.

She obviously finds him attractive, who wouldn’t?

For a moment, I entertain the reservation niggling at the back of my head.

I wonder if it may not be the best plan to leave Ash and Silas here together, given the way they are looking at one another.

But it also seems that no matter the hold Ash has on him physically, he will follow me into battle.

And that’s the part that matters for me.

That he remains loyal to me in that sense.

So let them have their fun , I think, coming to terms with what is undeniable attraction between the two.

Instead, I check in on Quinn, turning to see what he’s up to across the room.

He has pulled the curly-haired girl into his lap and his head appears to be buried somewhere in her thick hair.

I cringe inwardly, hoping they leave soon to finish that in private.

It’s unlike Quinn to be so bold in public.

Maybe the events of the last week have gotten to him more than I thought.

At least the other girl is gone. And it does mean that Quinn is preoccupied, leaving me a window of opportunity to go see Ev. I just hope that wretch of a girl hasn’t thought to go find him as well.

“Hey,” I say, looking between Silas and Ash, but they barely register my existence. “I’m going to head back to my room. I’m getting tired.”

At that, Silas jerks his head back to me. Shit . Has he sensed something else from me?

“Let me know if you need anything. Anything at all, Bria,” he responds quietly, icy eyes focused on me once more.

Relief hits me when he shows no indication of any more problems. So far, it seems anger and pain are what he senses from me, and I hope to keep it that way. I have no need for all my emotions to play out in his mind.

Ash turns to face me, her eyes gentle now, understanding. She knows I’m not headed back to my room. But she also isn’t about to say anything, either. Or stop me, for that matter.

So, I slip out the door of the pub and wrap my cloak around myself at the harsh bite of the night air.

The fur lining fights the cold trying to creep into my skin, though heat still radiates through me from Silas’s touch.

Quinn is nestled into the woman at the table by the window, but I yank the hood up, hiding my face, just in case he decides to look up toward the dark night.