Page 147 of The Sins of Silas

“When the battle is over, I will teach you how to control your fire,” Lena promised, then bent down to place her hands on Saoirse's arms. The little girl's big blue eyes watered.

“Do you have magic yet, Saoirse?”

She shook her head. “I…I don't think so.”

Lena slid her hand up to hold Saoirse's cheek as Waylon removed the small girl's restraints. “This battle is going to be for the grown-ups, okay? You and the other children will need to stay down here until we are all finished.”

“You'll come back? My new daddy will come back?”

Era loosened a breath at the little girl's words, and Lena quickly wiped the child's eyes. “Yes, sweetheart. We will be right back. Just wait down here.”

Saoirse cried softly, then buried herself in Lena's embrace. “Will you be my new mommy?” she asked, and Lena's face crumpled as she held the little girl close.

Era's eyes widened as we snuck out the cage door, Lena being the last to leave. She held the girl's face as she stood. “Yes, I will. I will take care of you.” She glanced back at our group. “We all will. Just stay down here and wait for us.”

We quickly rushed up the steps, equipping our weapons that rested in the room upstairs to the left, just as Viola had said. The Mageswere waiting nervously in the cell, awaiting Waylon, who would be down there instructing them after our talk.

I shifted to Era, offering her bow over.

She gave a skittish smile, slinging her quiver over her shoulder. Lena kept her sword at her back, and Hendry readied his bow, Edmund and Roland equipping their own swords. Elowen tucked Immeron's dagger at her side, and once we were all ready, we stood around a wooden table.

Waylon cleared his throat, sweat lining his forehead as he laid a map out on the table where our weapons had been resting. “There are three main levels to this castle, and a majority of the soldiers have been strategically placed outside. Archers, the top floor balcony on the east side will provide the best angle, but the southern side will prove useful.” He shifted the maps to the second floor. “The council resides on the second floor. Most will be sleeping.” He circled in pen different rooms. “This is where you will find them, in their rooms.” He scurried over to a cabinet, retrieving two bottles. “Viola made these—said they could turn two of you invisible.”

My eyes enlarged, and I glanced down at the corked glass bottles.

“Roland, Edmund, you two should take them,” Lena said, eyes drifting from Roland, who stood close to her side, to my sister's boyfriend. “It'll be not only the safest for you, but I assume you have more experience in this.”

Roland's lips curved upward. “Yes. Slightly more experienced in assassinations.”

She slid her green gaze over. “I don't want them dead. Yet. I want them captured. Tie them up.”

Roland's hazel eyes twinkled. “As youwish, Supreme.”

She rolled her eyes, the corner of her lip raising.

“The Mages should fight on the ground. I will lead those in the basement out to the main field.” He shook his head slowly, his eyes finding his daughter's. “This battle will not be pretty…many lives will be lost. They will need someone leading them.”

Lena swallowed, nodding to her father. After a few more comments, he quickly exited the room to fulfill his part in this plan.

“Era and I will take the eastern balcony,” I said. Hendry's mismatched eyes met mine. “You good with the southern side?”

He nodded, his gaze flitting to Era. “You sure she's the best for that side?”

Era's face heated at the mention of her lack of skill. But I remembered her clear shot when she saved my life in Forsmont.

“Era is more skilled than you think.” I equipped my quiver, slinging my bow against my back as Era and I grasped extra bags of arrows.

Lena observed the elixir bottles. “I'm not sure how long these last,” she said, handing one to Roland and one to Edmund. “But make haste to those rooms. Walk with caution in case they wear off.”

The men nodded, following her orders by chugging the drinks. Their invisible hands rustled with the parchment, and the second-story map vanished as one of them obtained it.

Lena lastly turned to Torrin. “I need you to lead the people out there,” she said calmly, his brows furrowing. “I need to find Silas.”

Chapter Thirty-Nine

SILAS

Iwas shoved to the ground in one of the highest rooms in this castle, judging by the view from the window I found myself gazing out of. I had no idea the time; I just noted it was still dark.

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