Page 200 of The Sins of Silas

Why couldn't Viola feel the way Era did for me? Why didn't she have that overwhelming lust when she stared into my eyes?

Viola was stunning—perfect in every regard. We'd been friends for years. I'd die for her. But emotionally, I wasn't connected to her like I was with Era.

Perhaps I would have been had she not made it clear we were fuck buddies and nothing more.

“I'm fine. Just tired,” I fibbed, sitting on the bed and undoing my boots.

“I feel that.” She plopped herself down next to me on the mattress. “Better rest up. It's our last evening before being on the road again.”

I tossed my boot on the floor, unlacing the other one. “Good idea,” I grumbled.

She didn't initiate anything sexual that night, and I was grateful for it.

I felt her before she even reached my door. My heart felt like it was being torn out of my chest, causing me to jolt up in the bed.

“W-what’s wrong?” Vi asked groggily, rubbing her eyes as she shot up.

I clutched my chest, squeezing my eyes shut as I attempted to shut out the feelings.

This had been happening more. Other’s feelings bleeding into my own without me tuning into my gift…but why?

Viola gripped my shoulder, her violet eyes trailing over me with concern before a knock at our door caused her attention to shift.

I knew who it was. Could feel it. I shuffled out of the bedsheets, grasped the bronze door handle, and opened it to see Lena.

Her big, green eyes were bloodshot, tears trailing down her cheeks. Her lip trembled as she clutchedPotestas Verae Maleficis.

“Lena,” I whispered, and I felt my own eyes well with tears.

“I need your help, Merrick,” she cried softly.

I didn’t know what she meant. My brows drew together just as Viola reached my side, her eyes enlarging as she took in our friend's broken form.

“What happened?” Vi pressed. “Are you alright?”

But Lena’s eyes remained on mine, and in those moments of silence, I understood. I knew this had something to do with Silas and knew I couldn't say anything.

“Come in,” I said gently, stepping aside.

She gave a thankful nod, eyes going to the grimoire in her arms as she entered our room. Fingering through the pages, she opened it up to a spell calledOblivisci.

“Here,” she sniffled.

My head shot up from the page when I realized what this spell was for. “You want to erase your memories?”

She nodded, and I shook my head in protest.

“That’s just ludicrous, Lena. Youneedto remem—”

My eyes darted to Viola and back to Lena. Unspoken words were exchanged within our gazes, words I couldn’t say around our friend.

“I won’t forget it all,” she said quietly. “Just what hurts. I can’t be the best leader if I am haunted by…”

Viola’s frown deepened, and she looked to me for answers. I couldn’t give them.

“Vi, can you give Lena and me some privacy? Just for a few?”

Viola slowly nodded, and I stared at the pages as she quickly got dressed and left, not before Lena blurted out to her, “Actually, can you bring me Dani?”

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