Page 12 of The Sins of Silas

“It is safe,” Viola responded, giving her a wink. “The contraceptive properties are an added bonus.”

A dark thought began to cloud my mind, and when I saw how Erabella’s face changed, her slight smile as her fingertips brushed Silas’s, I quickly diverted my attention to Ayla.

“Anything for invisibility?” I asked a little too loudly as I peeked inside the brown bag. It had been a while since I had the need to make one, but the skill was still fresh in my mind.

“Oh yes, plenty of heliotrope and amaranth,” she replied. “I figured it would be better for carrying than a bunch of bottles.”

I offered a grateful nod as I tied the pouch shut once more. “This is perfect.”

“Now, remember,” Immeron started, sauntering over with a folded map. His gaze stopped on the Prince, and then he eyed me, nodding his head backward to suggest we talk in private.

Silas’s face remained neutral, but the feathering of his jaw gave away his displeasure.

I trailed Immeron. “Nereida is just past the coast bordering Wrendier,” he said quietly, turning back to me when we were far enough away. “Non-Mages have tried to get past the Valley that protects it, but none have ever made it through. To human eyes, it will seem like no land is in sight. You should be able to see it, however.” His eyes traveled to the Otacians. “Hopefully, if they’re with you, they’ll be allowed entry.” His finger pointed to an area he marked in between here and Forsmont. “You can go through Half-Life Pass to save you a week of travel to Forsmont. But beware of the dangers.”

My eyes nervously went to his. “Exactly what dangers are we talking about?”

He winced. “Bloodsuckers. As I mentioned before, most Vampires are seen up north. But my family tends to steer clear from the pass, based on the whisperings we’ve heard in Forsmont.”

Two of Immeron’s other sons had left to gather supplies for my people in the smaller kingdom, and they were still not back.The journey to Forsmont, taking the route through Halsted, took roughly four weeks total to and from, however, so it wasn’t a shock.

“Have you run into any issues in Halsted?”

Halsted was the second largest kingdom in Tovagoth, Faltrun just behind. It was also one of Otacia’s most impressive territories…and the most prejudiced.

He shook his head. “Thankfully, we have not. But I’m sure word will have been spread about the Prince’s betrayal. I’d say it’s the most dangerous place for you all to be, second to Otacia itself.”

I pulled my lips to the side as he handed me the worn map. After a moment studying it, my eyes flicked up to his. “How come you didn’t travel through Ames?”

Based on the map, Ames and Halsted were equal distance to Mount Rozavar, and Ames was perhaps a day closer to Forsmont. I knew we wouldn't be taking that route, one because the Otacians were probably back in our territory, in case any of us who escaped tried to go home. And two, because I didn’t wish to see or smell all the dead bodies that still remained. I wished we could have buried them…but now was not the time.

Immeron’s posture stiffened, his deep blue eyes glimmering with an emotion I couldn't place. “Too many memories…I just couldn't be back in that place,” he mumbled.

Even though I didn’t understand, I nodded. It felt rude to push. “Thank you so much for your hospitality, for taking care of my people.”

His smile was genuine as he clasped my shoulder.“Ourpeople. We Mages need to look out for one another.” His hand fell back to his side. “And thank you for those cuffs. I still have no answers on how they work, but I'm set on figuring it out.”

I had given him a spare pair we had kept with us. Whatever powered them was a mystery to us all, even Silas. He said that information was classified; not even the Prince was granted that knowledge. I was determined to get some answers.

I replied with a grin, it slowly falling as I made eye contact with my mother in the distance.

“Excuse me,” I said politely. Immeron nodded, and I made my way over to her.

I had talked to her over the past few days, making it clear that she would not be joining me on this journey. She protested every time. But now we were finally here, the day I’d be leaving this mountain. Leaving her.

She brushed her tears away as I approached, doing her best to give me a positive smile. Her face crumpled anyway.

“I should come with you,” she begged, her bottom lip protruding.

“No.” I grasped her hands in mine, my own voice shaking, knowing this was the last time I’d see her for a while. “I will feel at peace knowing you are safe up here on the mountain.”

She shook her head, her copper bangs blowing with the wind. “We haven’t been apart your entire twenty-three years of life. I…I don’t know what I’ll do without you,” she cried, cupping my cheek. “You are my life’s purpose, Lena.”

After a statement like that, I couldn’t hold in my emotions. I yanked her into a hug and cried softly. “I will come back,” I assured her. “If Nereida is real…if it is a safe place, as Immeron has said, I will return. I will bring all our people there.” I pulled back, sniffing as I wiped my tears. I hesitated for a moment. “Kayin spoke to me last night, Mother.”

Gulping, her tearful eyes shot wide. “What did she say?”

I gave her the rundown of what Kayin had advised me to do, and once I finished, she took a steady breath, her hand going to her forehead as if she had a headache. “I hate how all of this has been put on your shoulders…”

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