Page 2 of The Sins of Silas

I suppressed a chuckle, but it came out anyway when I placed a hand on the ten-year-old’s shoulder, causing him to jump higher than I knew possible for a human.

He clutched his chest, respiring heavily. “You startled me, Your Highness!”

I raised a brow at him, a smile still on my face. “Are you supposed to be eavesdropping?”

Finnan gave a half-grin, rubbing the back of his neck. “Probably not.”

Finnan was the son of Emerson, one of my father’s generals. He also happened to be a part of the dreadful meeting being held behind this door.

I ruffled the kid’s brown hair, then finally entered the war room, shutting the door behind me and walking toward the group gathered of Otacia’s most elite.

Father was sitting at the head of the massive wooden table, stroking his short, black beard as he glowered at the map laid out before him. This room was as gloomy as they come, a starkcontrast to the all-white walls just outside. The stone in here was unpainted, and nothing but the large window behind my father provided natural light. The Otacian flag, in our colors navy, black, and silver, was flowing due to the morning breeze blowing in.

“It is a terrible tragedy,” Rurik expressed blandly. “But do you think it is connected, Your Majesty?”

Just as Daerin had said, the meeting had already begun. I was to receive a slap for that, I’m sure. I quickly seated myself further down the table. I may be the Prince, but to my father, I had not earned the right to sit beside him.

These meetings had been going on daily since Mother’s assassination. Usually for hours at a time. Going over possible threats and connections—brainstorming ways to lure Mages without harming our soldiers.

I hated all of it.

I hated witches, too. Hated that the guilt I felt for setting Amatta on fire was but a speck in the back of my mind.

Did that make me just as much a monster as she? That I could end her life and feel nothing at all?

“How would killing two Outer Ring women be connected?” Emerson asked with lowered brows.

To that, my eyes shot up, my heartbeat quickening. “What did you say?” I asked, sitting straighter in my seat. “What happened?”

The King slowly lifted his glare to me. “You would know if you had been here on time, Silas.”

His flat tone sent chills down my spine. Just as I was about to press on the matter, Emerson spoke.

“Arson in the Outer Ring. A cottage was set on fire in the middle of the night while a woman and her daughter were inside.”

My stomach sank so hard that I felt I’d be sick. I attempted to school my expression, lowering my trembling hands to my lap.

No.

It was just a coincidence. It had to be. The Outer Ring had thousands of residents. It could’ve been anyone.

“Also, Brighthell is nowhere to be found.”

Torrin is missing?

“Has the place been investigated yet?” I pushed. As much as I cared for Torrin, Lena’s well-being was my main concern. “Are the citizens alive?"

“We had a handful of soldiers go down to confirm the fire itself, but the investigative crew is about to head out as we speak.”

Instantly, I stood, my chair’s legs dragging against the floor, making an unpleasant screech.

“Where do you think you’re going?” the King demanded through his teeth.

I took in a shaky breath as my father narrowed his eyes at me. “I wish to investigate, Your Majesty,” I responded calmly. “If a Mage truly did this…”

If a witch hurt Lena…

“The experience could be good for him, Your Majesty,” Emerson interposed. He was perhaps the only person in this room that I liked.

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