Page 22 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Twenty-Two

LENA

T he last thing I remembered was looking up at Silas, my head lying against his chest, my body burning.

Now, my skin was smooth, and my body felt rested as I opened my eyes. A soft tune was audible—a piano.

I winced as I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I had no idea where I was, but from the looks of it, I was in some sort of dressing room.

The song was slow and ethereal, with a rhythm that ebbed and flowed. I stepped out of the bed, noting my ragged, blood-stained clothes, and pursued the sound of the music.

When I pulled a curtain open, leading me right to the main stage, I stilled once I noticed Roland sitting in front of a piano off to the side, his fingers dancing over the keys. The melody was melancholic…blue.

I stood there for a couple of minutes, studying him closely as he lost himself in the song. He was remarkably adept, no doubt .

When he played the final note, he released a sigh before jumping at the sound of my applause.

“You're awake,” he said quietly, almost disbelieving.

“You play piano?!” I exclaimed, my clapping ceasing as I strode up beside him.

He gave a lazy grin, his hands going to his lap. “I am a man of many talents, but really, you’re surprised I’m skilled with my fingers?”

I shook my head, biting my lip. “You flirt.” I chuckled softly. “How long have I been out? Did anything else happen?” I glanced around. This place appeared completely empty, and the lack of Roland’s music left an eerie silence.

“Just under twelve hours. It's almost noon,” he answered, his eyes roaming down my body as he stood from the piano bench. “How do you feel? You’re looking much better,” he murmured, his hand brushing along my cheek.

“Elowen is a miracle worker.” I smiled. "I feel fine now."

Physically fine. Mentally, I couldn't get the picture of Igon's corpse out of my head.

His hand continued to graze my cheek. “I’m…I’m sorry for leaving you,” he whispered.

My brows went together. “Why are you sorry? I told you to.” My hand squeezed his. “I needed help, Roland. And you got it.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and I leaned in and kissed him softly. “Don’t tell me you feel guilty,” I murmured.

“What I feel like is useless.” He kissed me back. “The help I brought didn't even matter. I should've had a fighting chance to protect you after how many years I have trained. I should've been able to do something.”

I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his chest. “That is why this necromancer needs to be found. He’ll wipe out humanity otherwise.”

Roland nodded, his cheek resting on the top of my head as we held each other.

“How are the people?”

“Shaken up. No one has ever seen Undead like that before…” Roland shook his head, a sigh loosening from him as he leaned back. I angled my head up to look at him, and his hazel eyes slowly met mine. “You saved a lot of lives today, Lena.”

I nibbled at my bottom lip. “They still got away…it's not like I eliminated them all.”

Just as I was finishing my words, Silas strolled up the stage, his eyes widening as he beheld me.

“Hey,” he said breathlessly.

I gave him a soft smile. “Hey.”

Roland peered at him over his shoulder, both of us stepping out of our embrace. “You're back again? ”

Silas cleared his throat, glowering at Roland before returning his gaze to me. “Leroy and the council wish to meet with us as soon as possible. Are you feeling up for it? If not, I can meet with them alone.”

As if I'd let Silas do it by himself. “No, I'm up for it.” My eyes drifted down to my blood-stained clothes. “I just need a change of clothes…and a shower, if that's alright?”

“Of course it's alright,” Roland answered. He shot his eyes to Silas. “We'll head back to the inn. Where's this meeting being held?”

Silas crossed his arms. “A room in the castle,” he stated blandly. “He only wished for Lena and me to be there.”

Roland's brows scrunched, but he nodded. As I went to step, he held out his hand.

I gave him a smirk, not taking his hand. “I'm healed now. I'm not helpless.”

Roland's grin grew. “Feisty Ginger Snap is back. Good, I missed her.”

I showered quickly, and when I reentered my room, I was grateful to see that Roland had left a meal for me on my nightstand. I braided my hair and tossed on a blouse, leather bottoms, and the boots I wore on the road. I didn't know if it was appropriate to bring weapons, but I kept a dagger in my boot.

After inhaling the sandwich Roland left me, I exited my room. Merrick was standing just beside my door, arms crossed and silver hair spilling over his shoulder.

“Whatchya doin’?” I asked, eyes flickering to see if anyone else was standing nearby.

He leaned off the wall. “Just checking on you. That was…” He shook his head. “Seeing Heildee, then Igon like that—”

I sucked in a breath, eyes dropping to the ground.

Merrick cursed. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up.”

“Don't be sorry.” My eyes met his darkened ones. “I…I wish to bury him if they haven't disposed of his body yet. He deserves a resting place.”

Merrick smiled gently. “We already did. We can visit him after this meeting, if you'd like.”

I bit my quivering lip, nodding as my blurred vision fell to the ground. “How's Elowen?” I asked, changing the subject.

He shook his head slowly, teeth dragging through his lip ring. “After she woke, she couldn't stop crying. Edmund has been with her ever since, locked in their room.”

“I suppose I'm just glad no one died.” I winced. “Well, I suppose the guards did…” I sighed, brushing my loose hair behind my ear and shaking my head in disgust. “The Lord of the Shadows, this necromancer, really has an ego, doesn't he?”

Merrick scoffed, and we started our walk to Leroy's castle. “Silas mentioned Leroy only wished for you two at the meeting.”

I pushed open the door to the inn, and the hot, humid air was an unpleasant wave. The sky was once again grey, and it appeared it had rained during the time I'd slept. “He wishes for me to bring up my past with Silas as a way to sway the council.”

Merrick's head swung to me. “Does Silas know?”

I gave him a pained expression. “No.”

“I should be there too. Considering I know everything. Perhaps if I can sense their emotions, I can help us say the right things.”

I gave him a grateful nod. “I think that's a great idea.”

When we rounded a corner, the castle just steps away, I noticed a dark-skinned woman with burgundy hair standing beside the door, Her arms were crossed, a sword on her back. Her blue eyes widened as she saw us.

“Taira.” Merrick inclined his head.

“Merrick.” She returned the gesture, her gaze flitting to mine. “Silas is already inside.” She stepped aside, opening the door for us.

I gave her a small smile before walking in, Merrick in tow, and then we followed the woman as she led us up many stairs. Silas was perched outside of a set of doors, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited to be allowed entry. His eyes slid to mine, then to Merrick's.

“Leroy only wanted us two,” Silas stated.

“It'll be fine with Merrick. I'm sure of it,” I responded, just as Silas leaned off the wall and Taira opened the large doors. We filtered in.

Silas, Merrick, and I stood in front of the leading council in Forsmont, all sitting before a large, C-shaped table. Light filtered in through the giant glass windows along the perimeter of the room, and I could see the large balcony outside of them, soldiers perched on it, keeping watch.

Leroy was sitting in the far left seat, frowning as his eyes went to Merrick. To his side was a woman with greying brown hair, tied in an updo, and next to her was a man as old as Igon had been. Beside him was a man with copper hair like mine, freckles dusting his nose, ochre eyes studying us with a displeased glare. Then it was two more women, one with long, lilac hair and big blue eyes, and one with hair as dark as Silas's, and slanted, dark eyes to match.

All Warlocks. Their pupilless gazes roved around us.

The Forsmontian King cleared his throat. “Silas La'Rune, Lena Daelyra, and Merrick Astair,” he declared, gesturing to his companions. “Meet Aspen, Keir, Evander, Odelia, and Harumi.”

Silas inclined his head, and Merrick and I followed his lead. “Thank you for meeting with us,” he said.

“Bring in their friends,” Keir, the older man with silver hair, said to Leroy. “We wish to hear from them all.”

“But Keir, I—”

Evander, the copper-haired male, interrupted. “We wish to hear from all the Mages that traveled with him. Not just the one wrapped around his finger.” His following sneer was directed at me.

Leroy shot me a worried glance. I shook my head ever so slightly, and I could only hope he would keep my and Silas’s secret in the presence of our friends.

“Very well,” the King grumbled. “Taira, will you fetch the rest of their group?”

“Have them wait outside until the rest arrive,” Harumi, the dark-haired female, ordered, no compassion on her face.

I stifled a groan of irritation as we were once again led out of the room, forced to stand out in the hallway. Silas's jaw was clenched, his eyes staring off into the distance, Merrick scuffing his boots on the floor.

“Well, what do you think, Silas?” Merrick asked after a beat. “Do you think they'll join our cause?”

His jaw ticked as he shrugged. “No idea. However, after witnessing what happened at The Freak Show, I don't see how they couldn't. We have two enemies against us…it would be foolish to not join forces.”

We stood there awkwardly in silence for the fifteen or so minutes it took to get Viola, Elowen, Edmund, Roland, Hendry, and Erabella into this room with us.

Dani was with them this time, in male form. He shot me a weak smile. “Figured it would be good if I was here to vouch for you guys.”

I gave him a grateful nod, then reentered the large room with my friends.

The council quieted the moment we entered, eyes scanning us with what appeared like disapproval. Dani went to stand by his brother .

Elowen was nervously chewing on her lip as she surveyed the six Warlocks before us.

“Why is it that after how many centuries of animosity, the Mages wish to ally with the Warlocks?” Odelia, the young woman with lilac hair questioned.

Keir glared at Silas. “The more important question is why are Mages traveling with the Slayer of Witches?”

I shifted my gaze to the Prince. He kept his chin lifted as he returned the glare.

“Silas is on our side,” I articulated.

“Interesting,” Evander drawled. “You don’t call him Your Majesty.”

“He isn’t our King,” Viola retorted, and Silas balled his hands into fists. The brown-eyed Warlock caught his body language.

“Hm…” Evander's smile grew cruel. “Does the disrespect bother you, Witch Slayer?”

I went to speak, but Silas spoke first. “The truth is not disrespectful. I am not their prince or king, nor do I wish to be.”

Harumi scoffed. “Well, your father certainly does. He has tried everything besides outright war to get us to kneel before him. Destroying our trade routes was especially a nuisance.”

“My father and I have different aspirations.”

“And what are yours?” Aspen, the woman beside Leroy, pressed. “I can’t imagine someone whose life has been dedicated to genocide has varying goals.”

“The Prince has dedicated his life to bettering our kingdom,” Era said with a bite to her tone. “He isn’t a monster.”

To that, every member of the council, aside from Leroy, broke out in laughter. Hendry and Edmund were trying their best to keep their composure, and when Era went to speak again, Silas’s fingertips brushed hers, a silent message not to bother. Her gaze went to his, their small moment of intimacy calming her nerves.

I hated it. Or, rather, hated that I hated it.

“Nothing you claim will ever get us to trust a La’Rune. Or to join whatever cause you’re against,” Evander replied.

“Surely you know there is a necromancer in Tovagoth, considering the tragedy that occurred last night,” I redirected.

Keir shot his gaze to me. “We aren't fools.” His voice was grave as he tapped his fingers along the tabletop. “We are aware of the threat now.”

“It seems the Undead are just now making their way south on the continent. The necromancer must be residing somewhere up north,” I insisted. “Defeating Ulric La’Rune is just a small part of this alliance. What we are up against…if we fail…it would cost everything.”

Keir's jaw flexed. “According to Leroy, you have not seen Undead quite like the ones from last night, correct?”

“We have not,” Silas confirmed grimly. “It has always been the erratic ones, the ones that travel in groups. It appeared like the necromancer was speaking through one of them. He must be evolving, or his power must be growing.”

Merrick spoke next. “And now that he can raise animals from the dead and command them the same, who knows how powerful he is?”

Merrick’s eyes widened the moment the last of his words came out. I swore.

“Those were not animals you saw,” Leroy gritted out. “We have had handfuls of our kind go missing over the past few months. Only magical beings can become Undead. Fuck. ”

I should’ve guessed that. Those weren’t animals turned Undead that attacked on our way to Mount Rozavar, but Warlocks.

“Mages and Warlocks having to hide who they are makes it nearly impossible to band together to take on this threat. And it’s the only thing that will be able to stop whoever this monster is,” I expressed.

Evander scoffed, crossing his arms as he leaned back in his chair. His eyes slid to Silas. “Why haven’t you gone to your father about this revelation? This grand idea of recruiting the kinds you have slaughtered?”

“Because,” I answered for him, “no Mage would ever join forces with Ulric. Not after all the people he has killed.”

“And the Prince hasn’t killed our people?” Harumi retorted.

I inhaled sharply, and just as I was about to say, 'fuck it,' Silas spoke.

“I regret what I have done.”

My eyes shifted to his golden ones, pain shining in his gaze as he looked at each member of the council.

“But it was never a choice. I never had a choice.” He glanced at Elowen, then at me, where his eyes stayed. “If it weren’t for their kindness, Edmund would be dead. I owe a debt for that alone.” His eyes trailed to Harumi, whose scowl lessened. “But it was that kindness, in spite of us killing their people—their families—that made me realize I was wrong.

“I do not wish to be High King. I do not wish to eradicate your people—not anymore. I only wish to rid my kingdom of my father and get rid of the necromancer plaguing our continent.”

The council was silent for many moments, absorbing all of what the Prince had said. “What is your plan?” Aspen asked lowly .

“Ally with the southern kingdoms, the ones wishing to remain independent.” His gaze shifted to me as if questioning whether or not he should mention my own plan. So, I spoke for him.

“We had a powerful seer in our village. He told me to find Oquerene. I don’t know where it is, but his brother told me of Nereida, told me that more Mages should reside there and that if there is any hope of finding Oquerene, it is there we must go.”

“Oquerene…a mere whisper among campfires growing up,” Aspen muttered. “So, you wish to rally your people to join forces with the Prince?”

“Yes.”

“And what of your kill order?” Odelia pressed.

“It will be lifted the moment I am in power,” Silas promised. “And Mages will be able to live freely in our lands, should they wish. Your kind, too.”

Odelia blinked as if she couldn’t believe what she heard.

“And what if you get the throne and change your mind?" Harumi asked. "What keeps you to your word?”

“I have thrown away everything for this. Is that not enough proof?”

“You could always change your mind. Play the part that you did all this to gain information. Play it off.”

It was an idea I had thought of many times.

Silas cocked his head toward Merrick. “Have the Empath tell you my intentions.”

I looked over at Merrick, his eyes already darkened as he had been reading Silas this entire time. “He tells the truth.”

Keir's pupilless gaze hardened on mine. “Is it true? What your seer said of your Soul-Tie? ”

My stomach fell to the floor as each of my friends' heads turned to me.

“Is that the reason—”

“It's irrelevant,” I interrupted nervously.

Keir contemplated for a moment, and just as he went to speak, horns blared from outside. My head whirled, and I rushed to one of the tall windows in the room to see what was happening. Silas was on my heel, looking over my head.

Silas swore, angling his body toward the council. “You…you didn’t summon Otacia, did you?”

Leroy gaped at Keir, who quickly stood from his seat. “Keir…you summoned the Otacians?”

The older Warlock rose from his chair, eyes widening. “I have no idea why they’ve come,” he breathed.

“Are they here to conquer?” Hendry asked Silas, rushing to another window, mismatched eyes broadening at the sight before us. People in the town were scrambling, soldiers rushing toward the front gates.

“The King had plans to take over Forsmont,” Silas said quietly, the room going deadly quiet. “But it wasn’t supposed to go into effect for another year…”

“Perhaps they seek alliance?” Edmund offered.

Roland shook his head, eyes narrowed as he scanned the outside. “Otacia’s number far supersedes that of Forsmont. If anything, they would be heading to Faltrun if they wished for an ally.”

I turned my gaze back to the troops rushing toward the entrance.

“How many?” Erabella panicked.

“Too many…” Viola responded, shaking her head slowly. “At least a couple thousand.”

Merrick swore, and Elowen squeezed closer to Edmund. “We can’t leave them,” Elowen said to Silas quietly as she stared out the window.

He frowned. “What—”

“The people here. We cannot let Otacia take over.” Her turquoise gaze remained pinned to Silas. “I know those men are your people, Your Majesty,” she continued, “but if what you say is true, if we magic folk are to be your allies, then we are your people, too.”

Silas blinked, the only sign he was stunned by Elowen referring to him as Your Majesty, not even Your Highness, which was his technical title.

Silas's eyes drifted over the council members, who now all stood, examining the Prince in question.

He bowed slightly. “I will stand by Forsmont.”