Page 273 of The Sins of Silas

“You and I havenothing,” she seethed.“Nothing, Merrick.”

And she meant it.

At a loss for words and with a pain in my chest, I finally released her. She jerked away and stood frozen before she trekked back into the temple.

I should have told her. Over a month alone, and still, I had kept it a secret. She had told me so much about herself over those forty-three days, and I had told her things about me that no one knew.

And now I had ruined it all…all for Lena.

Fuck!

I gripped the balcony railing, trembling. How could’ve I messed this up so badly?

Chapter Seventy-Five

SILAS

Lena studied the engravings on the wall, deciphering yet another strange text as I watched her from my seat on the bench.

My mind was still spiraling. My mother was alive. Well, partially.

And my father…he was who was responsible for the creatures that plagued the continent. It made so much sense. Of course he wished to bring Mages to the kingdom alive, only to execute them in our kingdom.

He was raising an army of the Undead.

How could I have been so blind?

He and my mother both had magic…which meant that if Iwerehis son, I, too, would be a Mage. So why was Mother so adamant that I was his?

Andhow could she be proud of me? I believed Lena, believed Mother had told her those words, but there was no way her visions had shown her the extent of my mistakes….she certainly wouldn't feel that way if she had.

Lena sighed as she placed down the chalk, frowning at the words.

I stood, walking over to her with my hands in my pockets.

PURIFICATION WILL ENSURE BALANCE, JUST AS HER FATHER HAS.

AS HER POWER GROWS, THE RIFT WILL CLOSE.

“Just as her father has,” I murmured.

“Balance…Azrae.”

I frowned. “So, the Goddess of Purification is the daughter of Azrae?”

“It would seem so,” she whispered, just as the Empath came barging in, face contorted in rage.

“What’s wrong?!” Lena asked, standing to her feet.

“It wasn’t right to put this burden on me…this secret!” he spat.

“Merrick,” she said carefully. “I never wanted you to know. Your damn gift is what gave it all away.”

“Era is devastated.” His eyes were dark, tears beginning to shine. “She is so hurt that I lied to her. For you.” He turned his attention to me, his lip curling. “For both of you.”

Lena's lip trembled. “I’m so sorry, Merrick.”

“Where is she?” I asked. “I need to speak with her.”