Page 85 of The Sins of Silas

The Forsmontian King cleared his throat. “Silas La'Rune, Lena Daelyra, and Merrick Astair,” he declared, gesturing to his companions. “Meet Aspen, Keir, Evander, Odelia, and Harumi.”

Silas inclined his head, and Merrick and I followed his lead. “Thank you for meeting with us,” he said.

“Bring in their friends,” Keir, the older man with silver hair, said to Leroy. “We wish to hear from them all.”

“But Keir, I—”

Evander, the copper-haired male, interrupted. “We wish to hear from all the Mages that traveled with him. Not just the onewrapped around his finger.” His following sneer was directed at me.

Leroy shot me a worried glance. I shook my head ever so slightly, and I could only hope he would keep my and Silas’s secret in the presence of our friends.

“Very well,” the King grumbled. “Taira, will you fetch the rest of their group?”

“Have them wait outside until the rest arrive,” Harumi, the dark-haired female, ordered, no compassion on her face.

I stifled a groan of irritation as we were once again led out of the room, forced to stand out in the hallway. Silas's jaw was clenched, his eyes staring off into the distance, Merrick scuffing his boots on the floor.

“Well, what do you think, Silas?” Merrick asked after a beat. “Do you think they'll join our cause?”

His jaw ticked as he shrugged. “No idea. However, after witnessing what happened at The Freak Show, I don't see how they couldn't. We have two enemies against us…it would be foolish to not join forces.”

We stood there awkwardly in silence for the fifteen or so minutes it took to get Viola, Elowen, Edmund, Roland, Hendry, and Erabella into this room with us.

Dani was with them this time, in male form. He shot me a weak smile. “Figured it would be good if I was here to vouch for you guys.”

I gave him a grateful nod, then reentered the large room with my friends.

The council quieted the moment we entered, eyes scanning us with what appeared like disapproval. Dani went to stand by his brother.

Elowen was nervously chewing on her lip as she surveyed the six Warlocks before us.

“Why is it that after how many centuries of animosity, the Mages wish to ally with the Warlocks?” Odelia, the young woman with lilac hair questioned.

Keir glared at Silas. “The more important question is why are Mages traveling with the Slayer of Witches?”

I shifted my gaze to the Prince. He kept his chin lifted as he returned the glare.

“Silas is on our side,” I articulated.

“Interesting,” Evander drawled. “You don’t call him Your Majesty.”

“He isn’t our King,” Viola retorted, and Silas balled his hands into fists. The brown-eyed Warlock caught his body language.

“Hm…” Evander's smile grew cruel. “Does the disrespect bother you, Witch Slayer?”

I went to speak, but Silas spoke first. “The truth is not disrespectful. I am not their prince or king, nor do I wish to be.”

Harumi scoffed. “Well, your father certainly does. He has tried everything besides outright war to get us to kneel before him. Destroying our trade routes was especially a nuisance.”

“My father and I have different aspirations.”

“And what are yours?” Aspen, the woman beside Leroy, pressed. “I can’t imagine someone whose life has been dedicated to genocide has varying goals.”

“The Prince has dedicated his life to bettering our kingdom,” Era said with a bite to her tone. “He isn’t a monster.”

To that, every member of the council, aside from Leroy, broke out in laughter. Hendry and Edmund were trying their best to keep their composure, and when Era went to speak again, Silas’sfingertips brushed hers, a silent message not to bother. Her gaze went to his, their small moment of intimacy calming her nerves.

I hated it. Or, rather, hated that I hated it.

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