Page 131 of Forging Darkness

“The Council hasn’t made it easy.”

“I didn’t imagine they would. But the warrior who can slay dozens of foes with a single blast of power wouldn’t let something small like permission stop her.”

“That’s a bit of an overstatement.”

“Is it though? Did you stop to count the casualties you left behind at Whitehold? Because I did.” The first flash of real emotion sparks behind her eyes as they flare before returning to their demure state.

“If you saw what I did to so many Fallen and Forsaken, why would you take the chance? I could have killed you the other day. Almost did.”

A solid six inches of hair was burnt off the ends during her transformation. It’s freshly cut now and falls just below her shoulders.

“I heard what happened to Steel. I figured if you could do it for him, you could do the same for me. The Fallen rattling around inside me these last ten years had become rather annoying. It’s nice to only have to juggle my own thoughts.” Her tone is almost bored. But that answer is too simple. Too canned.

“That can’t be it,” I press. “Did you know it would work for you because of your . . . condition.” I don’t know what else to call it. “Are there many other Forsaken like you?”

“That’s what you really want to know, isn’t it? How many other Forsaken are like I was? If that’s the reason why you were able to turn me back?”

I consider her for a moment. I can’t think of a reason to lie. “Yes. I want to understand why I can do what I can do. How I can do it.”

She lifts her hands, palms up. “How can any angel-born do what they do? Are you not a product of your parentage? A mix of abilities inherited from the ones before you?”

She’s being purposefully obtuse. “You know that’s not what I’m asking.”

“I don’t know the number.” She turns her gaze back out the window. “I’ve met a few over the years, but not many. I don’t have the answers you’re searching for. Did I think I had a better chance of surviving because of my . . . condition?” Her eyebrows lift on the last word, and the corner of her mouth quirks. “Sure. Did I know for certain it would work? No.” I can’t help but feel I’m missing something. “I guess to figure out the answers you’re looking for, you’re just going to have to fry a few more Forsaken.”

I grind my teeth. Forsaken or Nephilim, Silver is still a difficult person.

“Is there anything useful you can tell me then?” I sit back in the chair, deflated.

“You should have sided with Thorne. This won’t end well for you.”

Whoa. Where did that come from?

“Why would you say that?”

“It’s the truth. The Nephilim have no idea what’s coming for them. If they did, they’d turn you over to Thorne themselves.”

Frustration slips toward fear. What is she talking about?

“Why would they want to do that?”

“It’s what’s best for everyone. You’ll see. I imagine before this is all over you might be running toward him yourself.”

This visit is churning up more questions and uncertainty than answers and confirmations.

“Do you regret being turned back then?” It’s not what I came here to ask, but I suddenly want to know.

“This is always who I was meant to be.”

That’s not really an answer. We both fall silent.

“Why are you still wearing that?” Her finger taps the milky stone on my bracelet. The one Thorne gave me.

It’s a good question. I forgot about it mostly, but realized yesterday that it wasn’t fused to my wrist anymore. Maybe phasing back into the mortal realm had broken whatever enchantment kept me from removing it? I probably should have tossed it by now. Or at the very least given it over to the Council to study. But despite everything, I believed Thorne when he said it was simply a protection against Fallen. I’ve gone to take it off several times and always stopped myself.

“It’s pretty.” Silver isn’t the only one who can give stupid answers.

“I’ll bet Steel loves that you’re wearing charms given to you by another man.”

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