Page 285 of The Sins of Silas

Shall I give you a medal?

“Where is the Weapon?” Cedric crooned as he crouched before me, caressing my face. My lip curled, but I held Asael’s gaze.

“Just tell him,”his eyes pleaded.

Leave if you can’t take it.

His caramel eyes narrowed, and Cedric clicked his tongue as he stood, seemingly walking away before turning back and sucker-punching me again.

A small cry escaped my lips at the pain, my head pounding from the blow. I tasted iron and was worried one of my teeth had come loose. Dragging my tongue along each one, all still being in place, I returned my stare to Asael, spitting blood on the floor.

“She’s a feisty one,” Cedric commented, eyes wild as he studied the damage he had caused.

“What do you know of King Ulric?” Asael asked slowly.

Cedric shot him an annoyed look, but Asael kept his brown eyes on me.

I spat what blood had pooled in my mouth to my left. “I know that he is the necromancer plaguing our lands. The God of Deceit.”

Asael’s eyes flared, and Cedric barked out a theatrical laugh. “Out of all ridiculous claims you could’ve made, that one was most unexpected.”

I breathed heavily. “It makes perfect sense. He kills Mages in his kingdom, lugs their dead bodies to his dungeons, and has been raising a fucking army this entire time.” I let out a humorless laugh. “And all you prejudiced bastards are ensuring your own doom in doing so.”

Asael’s chest heaved with each breath, his cheeks slightly flushed. Cedric gave him an eyeroll. “Don’t believe a word she’s saying. She hasn’t even had her fingernails ripped off yet.” He gave me a sadistic grin. “That’s when the real truths come out.”

I did my best to school my expression and steady my rapid breathing and my increasing pulse.

I knew by now that they planned on torturing me. I just needed to stay alive long enough to figure out how to get out of here…orstay alive long enough for Asael to free me. Maybe even connect with Kayin if it was possible somehow.

Cedric walked toward me, and I flinched when he grabbed my fingers. “Such pretty little hands,” he noted. “Too bad.”

I squeezed my eyes shut, tears threatening to overflow, as I heard him step away, fumbling with whatever tool he was going to use to remove my nails. I had noticed the tray of tools earlier, but I purposely chose not to study it.

I will not break.

“Cedric,” Asael said quickly. “Let me talk to her.”

Cedric scoffed. “Your heart is going to get you killed, Asael. These are not people.”

I slowly opened my eyes, tears spilling down my cheeks. Cedric inched closer, thin shards of bamboo in his hands, a hammer in the other. My eyes darted to Asael’s, and I knew I no longer hid my look of desperation.

“Let me talk to her,” Asael gritted out, grasping Cedric's shoulder.

“Leave, Asael. You’re clearly too much of a pansy to be of any use.” Cedric let out a whistle, and two men entered.

Asael shot me a panicked gaze, and my face crumpled only for a moment before I glared at Cedric.

“Last chance, Lena Daelyra. Where is the Weapon?” He nodded his head to one of the men, who walked over and held my hand down. Cedric positioned the bamboo at the start of my nail, his other hand readying the hammer.

I will not break.

Asael went to rush forward, but the other soldier gripped him.

“Let me go!” he protested, but the man only held him tighter.

My breathing became labored, my entire body trembling with fear. But I kept Asael’s gaze. One person. That was all it would take to set me free. One person witnessing my humanity. One person caring.

Cedric clicked his tongue. “Too bad,” he repeated, and he hammered the bamboo shard under my nail.

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