Page 202 of The Sins of Silas

The corners of Dani’s eyes tightened, and I added gently, “There’s a lot you don’t know.”

Dani propped a hand on her hip. “So, tell me.”

“This spell doesn’t last forever," Lena groused. "It can be undone. Why are you making this so difficult?”

“How do you think he’ll feel if you do this?” Dani challenged.

“He didn’t care how he mademefeel when he fucked me and proceeded to tell me how he loathed me. How I have destroyed him.”

Color stained Dani’s cheeks, her jaw falling open.

“I shouldn’t have done it,” Lena whispered with broken rage. “It was a mistake. I know that. I just…I need to focus on saving my people. Not on this. Not on him.”

Dani blinked over and over before her mouth snapped shut, and she nodded gravely. Opening upPotestas Verae Maleficis, she flipped to the page with the necessary spell.

“This spell needs maintenance, meaning the spellcaster will need to repeat it every so often. That’s why the person performing it must also know of the memories wishing to be banished—to keep them away.”

“A magical tether is not enough,” Lena mumbled.

Dani's eyes remained scanning the page. “That's correct. Merrick will have to repeat this with you every month.”

Chapter Fifty-Five

LENA

Istood in the pentagram I had sketched, heart racing, a pit in my stomach.

Merrick stood before me, just outside the circle, and Dani was off to the side, still looking at me like this was a mistake.

Merrick's dark eyes focused on me, and I could tell by his lack of persuasion that he felt exactly what I did and understood why I wanted to forget. Even if only for a little while.

Writing in the Titharan language, I spelled out Silas's name—spelled out how I wished to forget every romantic interaction.

My heart pulsed in my chest, anticipating what it would be like. I had fixated on the tan-skinned, golden-eyed man since the very first day I saw him. His witty remarks, his lazy smile, his care. I went from misery, feeling like my existence had no purpose, toactually looking forward to waking in the morning once he entered my life.

I thought of my best friend, of training, and I was grateful at least those memories would stay.

Picturing a version of me that wasn't haunted by our past, of what might have been, felt impossible. Felt dangerous. But I had a purpose outside of him now.

And it needed my focus.

“Say the word and think of the memories. Hold your hands toward the pentagram, Merrick, and release your illusion magic, thinking of the same memories,” Dani instructed.

“What if I don't think every single one?” Merrick asked anxiously.

“You're more so here as her tether,” Dani explained. “And to be the person who has the knowledge when her memories start to resurface. It'll be necessary when you need to perform it again. Now do it.”

We obeyed.

Oblivisci.

Oblivisci.

Oblivisci.

I squeezed my eyes shut, lip trembling, eyes flooding.

I thought of his witty remarks, our banter causing my chest to flutter.

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