Page 263 of The Sins of Silas

I was shocked when Amatta appeared, strolling up to Ryia. “I come from Kalrael. Quill wishes for me to keep an eye on you. To ensure your safety.”

Ryia raised a brow. “Kalrael?” Then it dawned on her. “Amatta Callon…Quill's sister.”

Amatta's smile grew. “I haven't seen him since he left to be with you in Ames. But he sent word.”

Ryia pulled her into a hug.

My eyes nervously went to Silas, whose hand was covering his mouth.

Wewere getting closer now. Was it really Amatta who killed his mother? Was Kayin actually dead?

Regardless, one thing was certain.

Amatta was not a Mage. She was a human.

More memories passed us. Igon ordered a young Torrin Brighthell to go to Otacia—we witnessed the moment he was sworn into the Royal Guard.

“I will need you to give a blood oath,” Ryia demanded, only she, Torrin, and Amatta in the throne room.

“Of course,” seventeen-year-old Torrin agreed, holding out his palm. Ryia slid a dagger across his flesh and collected his blood in a vial. Torrin asked no questions; Igon must have told him to expect that to happen.

The next second, we were in Ryia's quarters.

“What's the blood oath for?” Amatta asked, tying back her brown hair.

“The boy is a Mage,” Ryia answered, and Amatta’s eyebrows raised. “A telepath, to be exact."

Ryia took her dagger, etching those same markings into her skin as her father did when he was with Immeron.

“W-what are you doing?” Amatta asked nervously.

Ryia poured Torrin's blood over her wounds, enclosing her glowing purple palm over them.

“Coniungere.”

Ryia gave Amatta a smile.

“Utilizing his gift,”she responded in Amatta's mind.

Holy fuck.

I turned to Torrin, his brown eyes saucers.

“My Gods…that's how she was able to speak with us.”

Our surroundings were shiftingagain, and now we were in Silas's room.

A lump formed in my throat. He was wearing the outfit he wore the day I met him.

“I'm granting you one day outside the walls,” she told him cautiously, his eyes lighting up. “I want you to be a kind leader, a compassionate one, one day. Do not stray from the Inner Ring, though. I don't want to risk you getting caught. I've stationed the guards along this side elsewhere, so be quick. And be back by 10:30.”

Silas beamed at her. “Thank you, Mother.” I watched as he rushed to his balcony.

Amatta entered a few moments later. “How can you be sure he won't be recognized?”

Ryia shot her a smirk. “I placed a spell on him in his sleep. The second he is outside the castle border, he becomes invisible to the eyes of the guard.”

Holy Gods.