Page 18 of From Frost to Flame

Chapter Five

Silas

Silas made his waydown a stone path lined with yellow moon gazer lilies. Their faint glow slowly grew brighter as the sun set. On either side of the property were thick forests of fig and pomegranate trees that cut them off from the busier parts of Wisteria. Every stride he took away from Lex was like stepping on needles. It was a physical scolding from the stars he couldn’t escape. It was easier to ignore the pain of separation when it was constant. He had gotten used to carrying the sting of loss day and night. Now, letting Lex go after having him in his arms for hours, his body could barely take it.

He looked over his shoulder at the cabin again as they left the path and crossed acres of well-manicured grass. Castor attempted to make conversation about how nice the evening breeze was, but Silas didn’t hear him. Lex’s heartbeat fading with the distance stole all his focus.

The needles in Silas's feet grew to rusted nails. He stopped, unable to take the pain any longer.

“Let’s stop here,” he blurted.

“Is this far enough?” Castor asked. “We’re not even on the edge of the yard. There’s another acre to go.”

“From here, if something happens, I can make it back in less than a minute. I don’t want to go further.”

“Your call.”

Silas shifted into his wolf form and let his haunting howl travel up into the waking stars and darkening sky. He shifted back to his human form and stared in the direction of the cabin. “I know this could take a while. Do you think you can handle this alone if it takes more than an hour? I want to get back to Lex. He shouldn’t be alone.”

“He’s not alone, remember?” Castor stretched his arms lazily. “Julian and Mora still have their powers. Well, they better, with how much blood they took from me. Anything happens, they can teleport Lex out and use their elemental powers or charm to slip away. He’s in excellent hands.”

“Right. I know. But I should still be there for him, too.” He was doubtful Lex’s family could really keep him safe after they lost him in the streets. “I should go back now.”

“How interesting.” Castor laughed to himself and shook his head.

“What’s so funny?”

“Nothing at all.” He crossed his arms and nodded to Silas's hands. “Your wrist bothering you?”

Silas realized he was absentmindedly massaging his skin to soothe the low throbbing of Lex’s injury. He dropped his hands to his side, trying to ignore the persistent pain. “No. Just restless.”

“Is there something you want to tell me about Lex?”

“Nope,” he said defiantly, holding his brother’s accusatory gaze.

“Of course not.” Castor looked up at the stars, muttering something in annoyance before turning his attention back on Silas. “You are so fucking stubborn, you know that? Advising you is like advising a child.”

“Excuse me?”

“I call it as I see it.”

He was going to snap back at him, but the brush rustled. Relief washed over him. One of their own was already in Wisteria, which meant he could return to Lex’s side. Then, the smell of honeysuckle came on the wind, and his jaw clenched.

“Be civil,” Castor warned, clearly catching the scent, too. “Just relay the message and leave it.”

“Why wouldn’t I be civil?”

“I caught Vega’s scent on Lex’s clothes, and your jealousy is transparent. I mean it, Silas. We don’t have time for petty fights over pretty boys.”

“I’m not responding to that,”he scoffed and rolled his eyes.

---