Page 145 of The Sins of Silas

“What's your problem?” I hissed, snatching her arm. Ever since our moment smoking, she'd turned cold.

She slowly turned her head back, eyes going behind me, presumably at our friends, before her gaze found mine. “Don't. Touch. Me.”

I blinked, then dropped her arm. “Tell me what your problem is.”

“I don't have one.”

“That'sa fucking lie.”

“How would you know?” she challenged. “You don't have your gift.”

“Because your nose crinkles when you lie, and your breathing speeds up when you attempt to keep your face void of emotion.”

Her eyes slightly expanded, and I stepped in closer. “You aren't that difficult to figure out, Princess,” I whispered, not wishing for anyone to hear our conversation. “But what I cannot understand is why you're upset with me.”

At her continued silence, I dragged my teeth along my lip ring, dancing my thumb against my leg.

“Is it really because I pressured you with the dagga?” I asked quietly. “Cause you could've slapped me in the face if I was being too forward with it.” I continued nibbling on the metal hoop in my lip. “I was just trying to help you feel better.”

Her brown eyes shone, her lips turning downward. “No…that's not why I got upset—am upset. I know you were trying to help.”

Her chest was rising and falling so quickly, as if she'd just taken a break from running for her life. I trailed my eyes down her fidgeting form, then settled on those seductive eyes of hers, currently appearing more doe-like as she held my eye contact.

I swallowed. “Then why, Era? What did I do?”

She sucked in her lips, shaking her head, then turned away.

If we were alone, I'd grip her arms and pin her to the wall until she gave me answers. Her inability to be real with me drove me crazy, especially when I couldn't feel her emotions, which would probably provide me with some clues.

Instead, I ground my teeth, turning away to give her some space.

Several hourspassed, and the plan was officially in motion. We all had attempted to get what sleep we could, all of us but Lena, who had anxiously waited for the Prince to be returned to our cell. He never was.

We expected Waylon or Viola to be down any moment now. I was still left stunned at the fact that Lena's father, of all people, had been working for Dimitri. The longer I thought about it, the more I believed fate really was on our side.

I hoped my thoughts didn't jinx anything for us.

We all had spread across the cage, telling each worn-out Mage our plan of escape, of retaliation. Most appeared unconvinced, with an ‘I'll believe it when I see it’look. But some also felt inspired, especially after witnessing Silas, Lena, and my cousin fighting back hours prior.

Torrin gave me an optimistic grin after we finished telling the seven hundred and forty-six Mages encompassing us the plan.

“I still can't believe you've been trapped here all this time,” I uttered to him, the guilt threatening to overtake me. “We should've looked harder for you. We should've done something—”

“Merrick,” Torrin interjected, gripping my shoulder. “I chose to leave. It was I that put myself in this situation, and no one else is to blame for my imprisonment but the asshole ruling this kingdom.” His smile grew determined. “You're here now. That's all I have dreamed of this entire time. Not you guys being trapped here as well—but reuniting with my family.” His face threatened to crumple. “I have missedyou and Elowen so much. Lena, Vi…I missed all of you guys.”

“We missed you,” I said back, pulling my cousin into a quick hug. “We didn't speak of it,” I murmured. “But I think we each feared you were dead as the months went on. Lena attempted to gather a search party, but none of the others believed you to be in danger.”

I pulled back, and he quickly swiped a tear of his that fell. “I'm sorry I worried you all.”

I shook my head. “Why did you leave?”

He offered that broken smile I hated seeing on his face. “I'll tell you everything once we get out of here.”

I nodded reluctantly, and at that familiar creaking of a new guard taking the next shift, my stomach fell to see it as someone I didn't recognize.

Where the fuck is Waylon?

“King Cortev told me to take over,” the new guard insisted to the old.

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