Page 220 of The Sins of Silas

“Drained magic?” Elowen whispered, adjusting the bag on her back. Without our horses, we all had more to carry ourselves. “Are we sure this is a place of good?”

“Kayin told us to go,” Torrin interjected. “I trust her.”

Silas's narrowed gaze shifted from Torrin to mine. “What do you think, Lena? Would Kayin send you someplace dangerous?”

I thought about the mysterious seer I had yet to meet in person, the seer who apparently was in Otacia, unwell, unless she had managed to leave. I then thought about the other seer who had been in my life, the one who had sent Torrin to a kingdom where he'd been enslaved for an entire year.

My eyes drifted to Torrin, my heart welling with so much love as I took in his eyes and the gentleness behind them. His short hair displayed his handsomeness even better than his longer hair did.

Torrin's cheeks reddened, seemingly reading my mind as I admired him.

What if it's another trap?

“Igon didn't send me into a trap. He sent me somewhere I'd find my parents,”he replied softly in my mind.“Sent me to a place that we have nowliberated.”He offered me a smile that further sent heat throughout me.“All of this is meant to happen, I believe.”

“It's so awkward watching silent conversations,” Roland mumbled to Hendry.

“I'll say.”

“Okay.” I took a steadying breath. “We're going to go for this and hope for the best.” My attention went back to my crossbody. “I want to ensurePotestas Verae Maleficiswill be kept safe, Godsforbid we find ourselves in the water.”

“Not to worry, Supreme,” Dani began. “That grimoire protects itself. The witches who wrote it ensured its preservation.” She stretched her limbs. “That doesn't mean it can't get lost at sea, though. Keep your bag secured to yourself.” She shifted her body toward the ocean. “Shifting into such a large beast will take a great deal of energy, but based on how long it took Viola to return, this will be the quickest way we can get there.”

“We will need to shield,” Viola added, tying her braids up in a ponytail. The silver rings in them glinted in the rising sunlight.

I wonder where she got those.

“I could see those special Undead—those puppets—stationed at Wrendier's watchtowers. They paid me no mind as a bird, but a sea dragon will certainly be a different story.”

We'd all debated on the idea of taking invisibility elixirs, but the danger of us not being able to see one another while atop such a beast seemed like a bad idea, certainly if one of us fell off.

We stood back as Dani took a bracing breath, striding toward the shore. The tips of her boots submerged in the water. Then, her knees. Then, her waist.

She slowly turned to us. “Alright. Let's do this.”

It was an incredible sight, watching Dani morph into a creature so terrifying, so beautiful. Iridescent blue scales covered the length of her new body. Sharp, blue spikes were spread across the length of her spine.

Those same pupilless blue eyes stared at us, sharp, white teeth present as the dragon's mouth parted, releasing a roar.

“Dani says hurry up and get on,” Torrin breathlessly said, hurrying to her.

“It will be too bumpy of a ride to get a clear shot should we find ourselves being attacked,” Merrick instructed Era as we all hurried forward. “Hide behind my shield, alright?”

There were five of us Mages and five humans, so we each picked one to protect. Our shields could be extended wide, but still. The humans would be sat in front of us, holding on to Dani's spikes, as we wrapped an arm around their torso, balancing ourselves while our other hand created a shield.

Hendry sat in front of Torrin, considering they were both the tallest males here. Roland was in front of Viola, and of course, Elowen was clutching onto Edmund.

My eyes nervously went to the golden-eyed Prince. “You stay in front of me,” I said softly.

He nodded, going over to speak with his wife before we mounted. She was wincing, rubbing her head.

My hands grazed Dani's scales. They were smoother than I expected them to feel but still durable. Carefully, we all mounted, situating ourselves on her back.

Sitting toward the rear, Silas and I situated ourselves between one of the spikes in Dani's spine. Silas grasped on while my arms wrapped around his waist, holding him tightly. Our other friendsdid the same: Torrin's arms around Hendry, Viola's around Roland, Elowen's around Edmund, and Merrick's around Erabella.

It was clear our nerves were shot, considering the silence between us all.

“We ready?” Torrin asked. When we all responded, Dani began moving.

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