Page 84 of The Sins of Silas

Silas crossed his arms. “A room in the castle,” he stated blandly. “He only wished for Lena and me to be there.”

Roland'sbrows scrunched, but he nodded. As I went to step, he held out his hand.

I gave him a smirk, not taking his hand. “I'm healed now. I'm not helpless.”

Roland's grin grew. “Feisty Ginger Snap is back. Good, I missed her.”

I showered quickly, and when I reentered my room, I was grateful to see that Roland had left a meal for me on my nightstand. I braided my hair and tossed on a blouse, leather bottoms, and the boots I wore on the road. I didn't know if it was appropriate to bring weapons, but I kept a dagger in my boot.

After inhaling the sandwich Roland left me, I exited my room. Merrick was standing just beside my door, arms crossed and silver hair spilling over his shoulder.

“Whatchya doin’?” I asked, eyes flickering to see if anyone else was standing nearby.

He leaned off the wall. “Just checking on you. That was…” He shook his head. “Seeing Heildee, then Igon like that—”

I sucked in a breath, eyes dropping to the ground.

Merrick cursed. “I'm sorry. I didn't mean to bring it up.”

“Don't be sorry.” My eyes met his darkened ones. “I…I wish to bury him if they haven't disposed of his body yet. He deserves a resting place.”

Merrick smiled gently. “We already did. We can visit him after this meeting, if you'd like.”

I bit my quiveringlip, nodding as my blurred vision fell to the ground. “How's Elowen?” I asked, changing the subject.

He shook his head slowly, teeth dragging through his lip ring. “After she woke, she couldn't stop crying. Edmund has been with her ever since, locked in their room.”

“I suppose I'm just glad no one died.” I winced. “Well, I suppose the guards did…” I sighed, brushing my loose hair behind my ear and shaking my head in disgust. “The Lord of the Shadows, this necromancer, really has an ego, doesn't he?”

Merrick scoffed, and we started our walk to Leroy's castle. “Silas mentioned Leroy only wished for you two at the meeting.”

I pushed open the door to the inn, and the hot, humid air was an unpleasant wave. The sky was once again grey, and it appeared it had rained during the time I'd slept. “He wishes for me to bring up my past with Silas as a way to sway the council.”

Merrick's head swung to me. “Does Silas know?”

I gave him a pained expression. “No.”

“I should be there too. Considering I know everything. Perhaps if I can sense their emotions, I can help us say the right things.”

I gave him a grateful nod. “I think that's a great idea.”

When we rounded a corner, the castle just steps away, I noticed a dark-skinned woman with burgundy hair standing beside the door, Her arms were crossed, a sword on her back. Her blue eyes widened as she saw us.

“Taira.” Merrick inclined his head.

“Merrick.” She returned the gesture, her gaze flitting to mine. “Silas is already inside.” She stepped aside, opening the door for us.

I gave her a small smile before walking in, Merrick in tow, and then we followed the woman as she led us up many stairs. Silas wasperched outside of a set of doors, tapping his foot impatiently as he waited to be allowed entry. His eyes slid to mine, then to Merrick's.

“Leroy only wanted us two,” Silas stated.

“It'll be fine with Merrick. I'm sure of it,” I responded, just as Silas leaned off the wall and Taira opened the large doors. We filtered in.

Silas, Merrick, and I stood in front of the leading council in Forsmont, all sitting before a large, C-shaped table. Light filtered in through the giant glass windows along the perimeter of the room, and I could see the large balcony outside of them, soldiers perched on it, keeping watch.

Leroy was sitting in the far left seat, frowning as his eyes went to Merrick. To his side was a woman with greying brown hair, tied in an updo, and next to her was a man as old as Igon had been. Beside him was a man with copper hair like mine, freckles dusting his nose, ochre eyes studying us with a displeased glare. Then it was two more women, one with long, lilac hair and big blue eyes, and one with hair as dark as Silas's, and slanted, dark eyes to match.

All Warlocks. Their pupilless gazes roved around us.

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