Page 38 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Thirty-Eight

MERRICK

I stood, leaning against the wall in stupefaction, watching Silas remain seated, allowing the young Mage girl to rest on his leg. The gentleness in his features as he spoke to her was not an expression I thought possible from him.

He himself had drifted to sleep, not wishing to move and wake the young girl.

A new guard was arriving, ready to relieve the current from his watch duty. We were all waiting impatiently for Dani or Vi. It had been several hours in this dirty cage, and we had not seen a sign of either of them. My nerves increased with every second that ticked by.

Waylon said he'd be back before sunrise. That still had to be several hours away.

“You should get some rest,” I muttered to Era, who was sitting on the ground beside me. Torrin was catching up with the Otacian men, men he had worked alongside for years, and El and Lena were listening in on their conversations.

Era didn't respond; she just continued to stare at the sleeping Prince.

I let out a sigh at her silence. Her cold demeanor toward me ever since our bizarre moment when we were high was unnerving me. I wasn't entirely sure why it bothered me, but I'd grown to enjoy what I considered the start of a friendship. I enjoyed our banter.

“It's sweet,” the new guard standing at our cell door said, eyeing the Prince and the little girl. We all stared daggers at the man before he continued, “Though I'm not surprised…he showed gentleness to Leroy's kids before we left.”

Era shuffled up from her spot on the ground. “Dani.”

The man grinned. So, Dani had shifted into one of the Faltrunian guards.

“I thought you couldn't shift into other people?” I questioned with a raised brow, trailing my eyes down her new form.

“I can. I'm just without clothing initially.” He pointed at his head—the man's head. “This poor bloke is hog-tied in a closet, naked as the day he was born.”

Roland snorted.

“So, what's the plan?” Lena pressed, striding toward the cage door. Silas's eyes had just begun blinking open. “Have you spoken to Vi?”

Dani nodded. “She's currently playing the role of Dimitri, sending soldiers out in different directions outside of the castle. When she's done, I'll go on the outside, taking care of as many as I can.”

“We need to take him out,” Hendry insisted, speaking of the King. “We need him dead.”

“I agree.” Dani's head turned toward the creaking door, alerting us that someone was walking down. “This castle is massive. Vi is trying to memorize where all the exits are.” He paused. “She should be down here soon, though. It won't be much longer.”

“Dani,” Lena urged. “You can't hurt Waylon.”

Dani smiled. “I know. I heard. I've already spoken with him, and he's on board with our plan.”

“Hey, what are you doing down here, Eric?” the soldier hollered. “Aren't you supposed to be on watch tower duty?”

Eric—Dani—gave the man a quick once over. “There must have been a miscommunication.” He hauled his thumb toward us. “I was told I was taking over watching these ones.”

The dark-haired soldier's brows furrowed. “That's not what I was told.”

Dani sighed, stepping toward the exit. “Very well. I will go back. It's no worry.”

The man shook his head, holding out his hands. “Actually, you can be of help. Cain was just heading down to help me, but he can take watch while you assist me.” His glare shifted to Silas. “King Cortev wants the Otacian Prince brought to him.”

Dani slowed his steps. “What for?”

The soldier frowned as he began unlocking the cage. “Does it matter? Orders are orders. Help me lug him upstairs.”

My eyes nervously shot to Dani's. His jaw clicked, his eyes going to the now-awake Prince.

“Don't hurt him,” Era pleaded, as if it would do anything. Silas stood, gently waking the young girl. When she sleepily looked at him, then at Dani and the other guard, she began crying.

“Don 't take him!” Her eyes nervously darted up at Silas. “Please, don't leave me!” she cried, grasping onto his leg.

True compassion shone within in the Prince's eyes, and I could swear I felt his torment even with this device numbing me.

“I'll be back,” Silas vowed, ruffling the top of her head. “I promise.” His eyes went to Lena. “My friend over there will watch over you until I get back, okay?”

Lena's tearful gaze broadened, and she quickly gave Saoirse a smile, gesturing for her to stand beside her.

Tears spilled down the young girl's cheeks just as Silas was roughly pulled out of the cell, Dani wincing at us as he helped guide him away. The other man—Cain—quickly replaced him, and once again, we were separated from our friends.

“He'll be okay. Dani and Vi will make sure of it,” Elowen insisted to Saoirse as the men were leaving our range of sight, though her worried gaze gave away her uncertainty.

Era wrapped her arms around herself, wandering away from everyone.

I followed her.

The Otacian Princess glared at me over her shoulder when she sensed me behind her. “Leave me alone.”

For once in my life, I wished my gift could work. I wished I knew what she was feeling.

“What's your problem?” I hissed, snatching her arm. Ever since our moment smoking, she'd turned cold.

She slowly turned her head back, eyes going behind me, presumably at our friends, before her gaze found mine. “Don't. Touch. Me.”

I blinked, then dropped her arm. “Tell me what your problem is.”

“I don't have one.”

“That's a fucking lie.”

“How would you know?” she challenged. “You don't have your gift.”

“Because your nose crinkles when you lie, and your breathing speeds up when you attempt to keep your face void of emotion.”

Her eyes slightly expanded, and I stepped in closer. “You aren't that difficult to figure out, Princess,” I whispered, not wishing for anyone to hear our conversation. “But what I cannot understand is why you're upset with me.”

At her continued silence, I dragged my teeth along my lip ring, dancing my thumb against my leg.

“Is it really because I pressured you with the dagga?” I asked quietly. “Cause you could've slapped me in the face if I was being too forward with it.” I continued nibbling on the metal hoop in my lip. “I was just trying to help you feel better.”

Her brown eyes shone, her lips turning downward. “No…that's not why I got upset—am upset. I know you were trying to help.”

Her chest was rising and falling so quickly, as if she'd just taken a break from running for her life. I trailed my eyes down her fidgeting form, then settled on those seductive eyes of hers, currently appearing more doe-like as she held my eye contact.

I swallowed. “Then why, Era? What did I do?”

She sucked in her lips, shaking her head, then turned away.

If we were alone, I'd grip her arms and pin her to the wall until she gave me answers. Her inability to be real with me drove me crazy, especially when I couldn't feel her emotions, which would probably provide me with some clues.

Instead, I ground my teeth, turning away to give her some space.

Several hours passed, and the plan was officially in motion. We all had attempted to get what sleep we could, all of us but Lena, who had anxiously waited for the Prince to be returned to our cell. He never was.

We expected Waylon or Viola to be down any moment now. I was still left stunned at the fact that Lena's father, of all people, had been working for Dimitri. The longer I thought about it, the more I believed fate really was on our side.

I hoped my thoughts didn't jinx anything for us.

We all had spread across the cage, telling each worn-out Mage our plan of escape, of retaliation. Most appeared unconvinced, with an ‘ I'll believe it when I see it’ look. But some also felt inspired, especially after witnessing Silas, Lena, and my cousin fighting back hours prior.

Torrin gave me an optimistic grin after we finished telling the seven hundred and forty-six Mages encompassing us the plan.

“I still can't believe you've been trapped here all this time,” I uttered to him, the guilt threatening to overtake me. “We should've looked harder for you. We should've done something—”

“Merrick,” Torrin interjected, gripping my shoulder. “I chose to leave. It was I that put myself in this situation, and no one else is to blame for my imprisonment but the asshole ruling this kingdom.” His smile grew determined. “You're here now. That's all I have dreamed of this entire time. Not you guys being trapped here as well—but reuniting with my family.” His face threatened to crumple. “I have missed you and Elowen so much. Lena, Vi…I missed all of you guys.”

“We missed you,” I said back, pulling my cousin into a quick hug. “We didn't speak of it,” I murmured. “But I think we each feared you were dead as the months went on. Lena attempted to gather a search party, but none of the others believed you to be in danger.”

I pulled back, and he quickly swiped a tear of his that fell. “I'm sorry I worried you all.”

I shook my head. “Why did you leave?”

He offered that broken smile I hated seeing on his face. “I'll tell you everything once we get out of here.”

I nodded reluctantly, and at that familiar creaking of a new guard taking the next shift, my stomach fell to see it as someone I didn't recognize.

Where the fuck is Waylon?

“King Cortev told me to take over,” the new guard insisted to the old.

He glowered. “I'm on for the next few hours,” he responded.

The new guard sighed. “Listen, the King has had more to drink this morning than ever before. He is not in the mood for disobedience, and frankly, neither am I.” He crossed his arms. “If I go up and tell him otherwise, you'll be the one to suffer, not me.”

The old guard paled, then quickly nodded. “V-very well.”

After giving him orders on where to go, the new guard stood at our cell door, watching over us all as the man left.

None of us dare spoke a word.

After the door slammed shut, the soldier smiled. “I can't believe I've never tried this before.” He laughed. His eyes widened as he took in my cousin. “Torrin? Is that really you?”

Torrin blinked, and I quickly asked, “Viola? ”

The guard's eyes slid to me. “Duh.” He winked. “What, you can't recognize me?”

“Where is Dani?” Edmund interjected, rushing up to the iron bars. “What's the plan?”

“She's currently taking out soldiers on the outside. Discreetly as possible. I'm to deal with the inside.”

“They took Silas,” Lena interrupted, Saoirse holding on to her leg. “You have to help him. Waylon said he would be here before sunrise to start releasing us.”

“Does your thumbprint work, Vi?” I pressed.

She glanced down at her hand, the hand of a random soldier, and leaned her arm through, placing it on my cuff link. It didn't budge.

“Dammit,” she muttered, then her eyes lit up. “Wait!” She closed her eyes, and we watched as she shifted into Waylon. Placing a hand through the bars, she placed her thumb along the reader on my cuff. It snapped open, the gem losing its light.

“Genius,” I praised as she released the other one.

Waylon—Viola—smiled. “Your weapons are stored in the room to the left of the exit. The area is empty; I made sure of it.” She turned to my sister. “El,” she motioned, “Get over here. You need to heal as many of the injured as possible. Get everyone's strength up as best you can. All of you.”

Elowen nodded, reaching her arms through the iron bars and letting Viola free her. She quickly turned, healing Torrin first. He attempted to wave her off, but she insisted anyway.

Viola's gaze slid over us all. “This castle is massive. Where do you think Dimitri is?”

“He has to be with Silas,” Lena pressed as she was released next, rubbing her wrists as the device was removed. “Please, Vi, you need to make sure he's okay.”

Saoirse glanced up at Lena. “He said he would come back. He promised.”

Lena's saddened gaze fell on the child.

“I'll look for him. I didn't see him anywhere the whole time I was looking, but he has to be in here somewhere. Probably wherever Dimitri is.”

I didn't need my gift to see the alarm on Lena's face, on Era's.

“Get to healing,” Viola insisted. “Waylon will be down in twenty minutes.”

My heart was drumming in my chest as Waylon began releasing the Mages one by one.

I was powerful. I knew that much. Lena especially. But the other Mages here were weak—some starved. Even with all of us healing the many injured, I didn’t know how much fight those down here had in them. But determination gleamed in their eyes as they beheld my group—beheld Lena.

“Take out Dimitri, then the council, and you rule Faltrun,” Waylon mumbled as Mage after Mage stood in line, having the device removed from their wrists.

Polly, along with every woman with long hair, stayed back. Lena shot them each a raised brow.

Polly held her chin up. “The rage will be uncontrollable. I have felt fire in my veins for years. Now is not the time.”

Understanding shone in Lena's features as she nodded at the women. I understood, too. Their magic would threaten to destroy them if unleashed after so much time.

“When the battle is over, I will teach you how to control your fire,” Lena promised, then bent down to place her hands on Saoirse's arms. The little girl's big blue eyes watered.

“Do you have magic yet, Saoirse?”

She shook her head. “I…I don't think so.”

Lena slid her hand up to hold Saoirse's cheek as Waylon removed the small girl's restraints. “This battle is going to be for the grown-ups, okay? You and the other children will need to stay down here until we are all finished.”

“You'll come back? My new daddy will come back?”

Era loosened a breath at the little girl's words, and Lena quickly wiped the child's eyes. “Yes, sweetheart. We will be right back. Just wait down here.”

Saoirse cried softly, then buried herself in Lena's embrace. “Will you be my new mommy?” she asked, and Lena's face crumpled as she held the little girl close.

Era's eyes widened as we snuck out the cage door, Lena being the last to leave. She held the girl's face as she stood. “Yes, I will. I will take care of you.” She glanced back at our group. “We all will. Just stay down here and wait for us.”

We quickly rushed up the steps, equipping our weapons that rested in the room upstairs to the left, just as Viola had said. The Mages were waiting nervously in the cell, awaiting Waylon, who would be down there instructing them after our talk.

I shifted to Era, offering her bow over.

She gave a skittish smile, slinging her quiver over her shoulder. Lena kept her sword at her back, and Hendry readied his bow, Edmund and Roland equipping their own swords. Elowen tucked Immeron's dagger at her side, and once we were all ready, we stood around a wooden table.

Waylon cleared his throat, sweat lining his forehead as he laid a map out on the table where our weapons had been resting. “There are three main levels to this castle, and a majority of the soldiers have been strategically placed outside. Archers, the top floor balcony on the east side will provide the best angle, but the southern side will prove useful.” He shifted the maps to the second floor. “The council resides on the second floor. Most will be sleeping.” He circled in pen different rooms. “This is where you will find them, in their rooms.” He scurried over to a cabinet, retrieving two bottles. “Viola made these—said they could turn two of you invisible.”

My eyes enlarged, and I glanced down at the corked glass bottles.

“Roland, Edmund, you two should take them,” Lena said, eyes drifting from Roland, who stood close to her side, to my sister's boyfriend. “It'll be not only the safest for you, but I assume you have more experience in this.”

Roland's lips curved upward. “Yes. Slightly more experienced in assassinations.”

She slid her green gaze over. “I don't want them dead. Yet. I want them captured. Tie them up.”

Roland's hazel eyes twinkled. “As you wish, Supreme.”

She rolled her eyes, the corner of her lip raising.

“The Mages should fight on the ground. I will lead those in the basement out to the main field.” He shook his head slowly, his eyes finding his daughter's. “This battle will not be pretty…many lives will be lost. They will need someone leading them.”

Lena swallowed, nodding to her father. After a few more comments, he quickly exited the room to fulfill his part in this plan.

“Era and I will take the eastern balcony,” I said. Hendry's mismatched eyes met mine. “You good with the southern side?”

He nodded, his gaze flitting to Era. “You sure she's the best for that side?”

Era's face heated at the mention of her lack of skill. But I remembered her clear shot when she saved my life in Forsmont.

“Era is more skilled than you think.” I equipped my quiver, slinging my bow against my back as Era and I grasped extra bags of arrows.

Lena observed the elixir bottles. “I'm not sure how long these last,” she said, handing one to Roland and one to Edmund. “But make haste to those rooms. Walk with caution in case they wear off.”

The men nodded, following her orders by chugging the drinks. Their invisible hands rustled with the parchment, and the second-story map vanished as one of them obtained it.

Lena lastly turned to Torrin. “I need you to lead the people out there,” she said calmly, his brows furrowing. “I need to find Silas.”