Page 104 of The Sins of Silas

“TheLord of the Shadows, is it?” I yelled, and Vicsin's black glaze slid to mine. “What do you want from us?”

His cruel smile grew. “Lena Daelyra…such a powerful Mage.” My flames reflected in those cold, soulless eyes. “Isn't it obvious? I want your power for my own.”

He tilted his hand, and Elowen shrieked, Silas’s screams growing louder.

My heart was beating out of my chest, but I remained strong. “Stop hurting them, and we may come to an agreement.”

“What?” Hendry hissed.

“Lena, no—” Dani began.

I ignored them. Vicsin's heartless smile remained, and his hand fell to his side. Elowen gasped, and Silas let out a painful groan. Both of their hands fell to the ground, steadying themselves. I loosened a breath as my friends caught theirs.

“What do you think you have to offer me that I cannot take for myself already?”

I wracked my brain for something, anything I could offer him.

“Alliance.”

“What?!” Silas choked out, but I didn't look at him. My eyes remained solely on Vicsin—on the necromancer who was looking at me through his eyes.

Vicsin laughed, really laughed. “There is no allying with me. You can either bow or perish.”

I was taking a huge risk with my next words…I could only hope my judgment was correct. “I am the only one who knows where the Weapon is.”

To that, Vicsin's laughing ceased, his gaze hardening on mine. He stared at me in silence, and the hairs on the back of my neck raised at his chilling appearance…the colorless skin, the dark veins.

“Where?” he gritted out.

I wanted to give him a hateful smile, but Ididn't wish to provoke him. “I'll bring it to you…but only if you stay out of my way.”

“Lena, no!” Silas begged. “You're making a deal with the devil!”

Vicsin's sadistic grin returned. “Why would you give it to me?”

I prayed he would not call my bluff. “Because I'd rather see it in a Mage's hand than in a La'Rune's.”

Silas's fist shook as he gripped the grass beneath him, glaring at me in contempt. “You…”

Something glimmered in Vicsin's eyes…something I couldn't place. He released a breath. “Very well, Miss Daelyra. I won't disturb your travels as you find me my Weapon.” His hands flew up, and once again were Elowen and Silas screaming, clutching their heads. My enraged eyes went back to his.

“Don't worry. The hallucinations will only last a few hours. Just know that this is but a sliver of the power I hold.” He smiled ruefully. “Consider it a reminder of what is to come should you betray me.”

He turned, sprinting away, and I swore as I rushed to my friends' sides.

“Lena,” Silas cried in agony, eyes squeezed shut.

“Let's get them in either tent,” Dani nervously sputtered, then handed over to me a pouch of salt. “El in one, Silas in the other—we must soundproof, or else we'll alert all of Tovagoth where we are.”

Edmund and Merrick lifted a thrashing Elowen while Roland and Hendry lifted Silas. I rushed with Era into the further tent while Dani and Viola went with Elowen.

Silas's scream was so heartbreaking that my eyes flooded with tears. “Dani, what do we do to help them?!” I called out as our distance increased.

His pained eyes shot back to mine. “I have no idea.”

They rushed into their tent a moment before we hurried into ours.

The space was nearly empty, with nothing but a few broken chairs,

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