Page 57 of The Sins of Silas (The Otacian Chronicles #2)

Chapter Fifty-Seve n

MERRICK

I was a ball of unreleased nerves as Torrin and I began our descent underneath this temple, Torrin's fire hovering over his palm our only source of light. The temperature dropped with every step, and I feared what we'd discover down here.

This was Celluna's temple, the Goddess of Love, but who knew what sacrifices had been made in their altar room?

Admittedly, I didn't know much about the Gods, just the basic stuff most people knew. Elowen was always far more intrigued by it all.

My nerves were also running rampant at the idea of Silas and Lena alone, considering the Prince was bound to discover what we did and probably try to kill me for it.

Torrin came to an abrupt stop, whirling around to me.

Shit!

I slapped my palm on my forehead. I forgot my mind-reading cousin was right beside me.

“What the hell did you do?” he demanded. “What happened?”

I winced, scrubbing at my face. “Lena came to my room the last night in Faltrun…hysterical.”

“What happened?”

“I don't think it's my business to say—”

Torrin gripped my robe, slamming me against the concrete wall. “What happened, Merrick?!”

“Fucking hell!” I shouted. “You and Silas are two peas in a pod, throwing people against walls when you're angry!”

His grip lessened, but he still held me. “Tell me, Merrick,” he pleaded.

“You know of her past with Silas.”

He shook his head, not understanding.

My shoulders slumped. “They…they had sex.”

His eyes sprang open just as he loosened a breath. He released the fabric of my robe, stumbling back and clenching his trembling fists.

His rage—his jealousy—overtook me.

“Torrin…I had no idea you felt so strongly for her,” I whispered.

“It doesn't matter,” he muttered, turning away to tread down the steps.

I staggered forward. “She had me erase her memories.”

He halted.

“You did what?” he asked quietly.

“She begged me to. It's not permanent, but she remembers no romantic interactions with him whatsoever. ”

He whirled at me; his rage had never been more apparent. “How could you do that, Merrick? What the hell were you thinking?!”

I stood my ground. “You may be able to read her mind,” I said in a hushed tone, “but I’m the one who felt everything. I felt all of her suffering. I knew how unbearable it was for her. I wanted to help.”

“Erasing memories is not helpful! She needs to learn to work through it, not run from it.”

“I'm surprised this is something you don't want,” I commented, and a surge of anger went through him. “Without her tie to him, you and she—”

“This isn't about my wants.”

“It never is!” I cried. “I cannot think of a single instance where you have acted selfishly. Why not try?”

“What, should I act on selfish impulse like you?”

I froze, eyes narrowing. “What's that supposed to mean?”

“You think I don't know?” He scoffed. “I've heard your thoughts, Merrick. Hear your inner battle. You desire the Prince's wife.”

I clenched my teeth together, shaking my head. “No, I don't,” I lied.

Another scoff. “You kissed her, and you say you don't want her?”

“I gave no permission for you to raid my mind!” I yelled. “How dare you!”

Torrin shrugged. “Is it any different than you reading my emotions?”

“It's completely different! Reading thoughts is far more an invasion of privacy.”

Torrin's jaw clicked before he said softly, “I'm surprised you did it.”

“Did what?”

“Took her memories. If she and Silas got back together, that would leave the Princess for you.”

“Believe it or not, Torrin, you're not the only Brighthell to act selflessly,” I uttered quietly.

“Then you understand my actions,” he said simply as we strode down more steps. “I would want Lena to choose me regardless, not just when she couldn't remember her love for a different man. But she wouldn't…because it's Silas who she wants. Now, and always.” He swallowed. “At least Erabella returns the feeling.”

I almost tumbled down the stairs. “What did you say?”

“She's attracted to you, that's for sure. She doesn't want to be but can't help herself. She ponders on that kiss more than you do, and that's saying a lot.” Torrin turned for the last time. “We have more pressing matters than discussing our messy love lives.”

“We've missed a year of cousin bonding.”

He cocked a brow at me. “And cousin fighting.”

A grin took over my face. “Yeah…and I missed both.”

It took ten more minutes until we reached the bottom of the stairs. A single black door stood before us.

“I'll go in first. You cover me,” Torrin ordered.

“I hate this creepy shit,” I muttered. I withdrew my crossbow, still getting used to the new weapon, and followed Torrin as he slowly pushed the door open. The creaking sound caused the hair on the back of my neck to rise.

Holding his flame, we crept into the eerie space.

The first thing I noticed was the heavy metallic odor. The second was piles of bodies stacked on either side of the room, inky swirls covering their skin.

“Fuck,” Torrin grimaced, covering his nose with his elbow.

As we walked a few steps forward, Torrin's fire illuminated someone kneeling before the altar.

Dead bodies were slumped against the walls, lying in the middle of the ground, yet one remained kneeling.

“Miss?” Torrin asked, slowly creeping ahead. “Are you alright?”

Slowly, the woman's head craned back toward us.

Torrin's flame reflected off her solid black eyes, and she smiled.