Page 46 of The Sins of Silas

“You’re…a Warlock? And the King of Forsmont?” I breathed. “How?”

Leroy studied me with those pupilless eyes. “The Warlocks have had influence in Forsmont for decades. As the oppression of our kind progressed, we glamoured ourselves and practiced our traditions in private. Much like you Mages.”

“How did you—” Viola began, then swore. “You had shifted…you were watching us.”

He nodded. “I was but a bird in the trees this morning, listening to your conversations. You all may have been glamoured, even you, shapeshifter,” he commented, pointing at Viola, “but your conversations were noted. You should be careful—you never know who is listening.”

Merrick frowned. “Exactly how many of you are here?”

Dani turned her attention to the Empath. “A little over two hundred.”

Leroy examined Silas, who had attempted to master his surprise. “I wouldn’t have let him kill one of you,” he remarked. “I just needed to see if the Slayer of Witches truly had a change of heart.”

I wished I could brush a hand along Silas’s back. Something to comfort him. Even if he had remained mostly cold toward me, aside from our hug in the forest. Thank the Gods we weren’t being watched then.

“The King is a bastard,” I stated. “And has brainwashed a good many.”

“Is that why you showed kindness? In the hope of changing hearts?” Dani’s gaze went to Silas’s warily.

“It worked, didn’t it?” I half-smiled, and Dani returned the expression. I decided I liked her.

“So, this is all the people willing to join your cause?” The older guard now stepped forward.“Revelare.”The incantation for undoing glamours, it seemed. Warlocks had to use incantations if they wished to perform any magic that they weren't inherently born with.

The male stayed male, but his age lowered, revealing a boy that had to be around fourteen. His brown hair and hazel eyes reminded me of Roland’s, but his fair skin was far different from Roland’s golden brown.

“I see why you made yourself old,” Roland teased. “No one would take you seriously like that.”

In a blink, the boy shifted, claws hitting the ground and a deafening roar sending us stumbling backward as he took on a bear form. Everyone quickly equipped their weapons, ready for whatever shit Roland had just gotten us into.

“Quin!” Leroy reprimanded. “Shift back, now!”

Quin obeyed, easily shifting back into his normal form, a shit-eating grin on his face as he beheld Roland panting.

But the bastard only grinned back. “I like this kid,” he wheezed. I couldn’t help but look at him in awe, and when Roland caught sight of the presumable hearts in my eyes, he winked at me.

I nervously glanced at the door behind us. “Aren’t people going to question hearing that?”

Leroy’s smile grew. “Sound-proofing spell. No one heard a thing. But still,” he shot a disapproving glare at Quin, “you scared them, Quin!" Leroy rolled his eyes and then gave us an apologetic grin. "The boy takes after his mother, impulsive at times.”

Quin’s pupilless hazel eyes narrowed, but a smile still remained. “I’m telling her that.”

“If you want me sleeping in the street, go right ahead. But who will have your back when you raid the candy cart again?”

“Aunt Dani will.”

Ah. So, Quin was Leroy’s son. The man appeared to be Torrin’s age, probably in his early thirties. He must’ve been a young father.

Leroy waved a hand. “Let’s save the family drama for later.” He pinned a stare at Silas. “I have a feeling Forsmont will join your cause, Prince, if it means the safety of our people, both from a dictatorship and us of magical descent from a kill order that has spread across Tovagoth.” He moved his hand in that motion again.“Velare.”He glamoured himself once more. “In two days’ time, we will speak with the council. Ultimately, it is their call what we do or do not do.”

“But you are their King.” Silas frowned. “Is it not your call?”

“Checks and balances are crucial for a successful society. We don’t do things like other kingdoms.”

Silas merely nodded, and Leroy gestured to the blue-haired Warlock. “Dani will show you to your rooms; we have a handful free in the inn around the block. You guys look like you need a bath…or ten.”

Dani led us through a long hallway at the local inn twenty minutes later. I couldn’t wait to get into the shower and get this grime off of me…then take the world’s best nap.

“You normally wear the skin of a male?” Roland asked Dani.

---