Page 83 of The Sins of Silas

The last thing I remembered was looking up at Silas, my head lying against his chest, my body burning.

Now, my skin was smooth, and my body felt rested as I opened my eyes. A soft tune was audible—a piano.

I winced as I sat up, rubbing my eyes. I had no idea where I was, but from the looks of it, I was in some sort of dressing room.

The song was slow and ethereal, with a rhythm that ebbed and flowed. I stepped out of the bed, noting my ragged, blood-stained clothes, and pursued the sound of the music.

When I pulled a curtain open, leading me right to the main stage, I stilled once I noticed Roland sitting in front of a piano off to the side, his fingers dancing over the keys. The melody was melancholic…blue.

I stood there for a couple of minutes, studying him closely as he lost himself in the song. He was remarkably adept, no doubt.

When he played the final note, he released a sigh before jumping at the sound of my applause.

“You're awake,” he said quietly, almost disbelieving.

“You play piano?!” I exclaimed, my clapping ceasing as I strode up beside him.

He gave a lazy grin, his hands going to his lap. “I am a man of many talents, but really, you’re surprised I’m skilled with my fingers?”

I shook my head, biting my lip. “You flirt.” I chuckled softly. “How long have I been out? Did anything else happen?” I glanced around. This place appeared completely empty, and the lack of Roland’s music left an eerie silence.

“Just under twelve hours. It's almost noon,” he answered, his eyes roaming down my body as he stood from the piano bench. “How do you feel? You’re looking much better,” he murmured, his hand brushing along my cheek.

“Elowen is a miracle worker.” I smiled. "I feel fine now."

Physically fine. Mentally, I couldn't get the picture of Igon's corpse out of my head.

His hand continued to graze my cheek. “I’m…I’m sorry for leaving you,” he whispered.

My brows went together. “Why are you sorry? I told you to.” My hand squeezed his. “I needed help, Roland. And you got it.”

His smile didn’t reach his eyes, and I leaned in and kissed him softly. “Don’t tell me you feel guilty,” I murmured.

“What I feel like is useless.” He kissed me back. “The help I brought didn't even matter. I should've had a fighting chance to protect you after how many years I have trained. I should've been able to dosomething.”

I wrapped my arms around him, my head resting on his chest. “That is why this necromancer needs to be found. He’ll wipe out humanity otherwise.”

Roland nodded, his cheek resting on the top of my head as we held each other.

“How are the people?”

“Shaken up. No one has ever seen Undead like that before…” Roland shook his head, a sigh loosening from him as he leaned back. I angled my head up to look at him, and his hazel eyes slowly met mine. “You saved a lot of lives today, Lena.”

I nibbled at my bottom lip. “They still got away…it's not like I eliminated them all.”

Just as I was finishing my words, Silas strolled up the stage, his eyes widening as he beheld me.

“Hey,” he said breathlessly.

I gave him a soft smile. “Hey.”

Roland peered at him over his shoulder, both of us stepping out of our embrace. “You're backagain?”

Silas cleared his throat, glowering at Roland before returning his gaze to me. “Leroy and the council wish to meet with us as soon as possible. Are you feeling up for it? If not, I can meet with them alone.”

As if I'd let Silas do it by himself. “No, I'm up for it.” My eyes drifted down to my blood-stained clothes. “I just need a change of clothes…and a shower, if that's alright?”

“Of course it's alright,” Roland answered. He shot his eyes to Silas. “We'll head back to the inn. Where's this meeting being held?”

---