Page 265 of The Sins of Silas

Our entire group witnessed Silas and me at the Summer Solstice festival, dancing in each other's embrace. It cut to us kissing, but thankfully, the rest of the night didn't show.

Everyone saw the moment I followed him, getting captured by Torrin. They witnessed the moment I found out who he really was.

It was heartbreaking seeing Silas in his room after I had left, his mother sitting beside him on the bed.

“What changed?” Silas asked, turning to face her. “That first day out I thought would be my last. Even when I told you about Lena, only speaking about her as a friend, you didn’t seem to mind. It just goes against everything I have been told. I am so glad for it, but that doesn’t make it any less puzzling.”

Shegave him a soft smile, placing a hand on his cheek. “It’s one of those things I know are meant to be.”

Sixteen-year-old Silas returned her expression. “No one can know ifanythingis meant to be.”

The year passed. Every one of my friends witnessed how Silas and I became closer. They watched us continue to train. They watched as I attended his birthday ball on the night of his mother's death.

The answers were here now.

We were all in Ryia's room.

“Your Majesty, what’s wrong?” Amatta asked, rushing to her side.

Ryia was trembling, tears pouring out of her solid white eyes, a glow emitting from them.

“No…no…” She shook her head, squeezing her eyes shut tight.

First, she sent a message to Torrin.

Find Lena in two days. In the night. Go to Ames.

Then, her message to me.

Lena.

The vision showed us both—our surroundings side by side.

“Talk about a rude awakening.”

Change is coming, Lena—horrible, awful change. Find Torrin in two days. In the night. Go to Ames.

“Your Majesty—” Amatta began.

I sat up in my bed.

“What? Leave Otacia? Why?”

Ryia was shaking.Torrin will help with what needs to be done. When it is time to leave, find him. He will ensure you make it to Ames safely.

“What needs to be done? What is going to happen?”

Blood began pouring out of her nose.

“Kayin?”

It must happen in order to save Magekind. We will speak again in time.

Ryia's eyes flung open, severing our connection. Her face crumpled as she wiped her nose. “My son…my poor son,” she cried. Shaking, she rushed to her drawer to find it empty and let out a curse. “I…I can’t let him do this to him…my boy—”

The door slowly crept open. Ryia glanced over her shoulder, and Amatta froze.

Ulric walked in slowly, holding a stack of letters.

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