Page 90 of The Sins of Silas

I killed, just like I always had. It was the one thing at which I excelled. However, this slaughter didn’t bring me joy. It didn’t give me release. No…it just made me realize how my father’s beliefs had affected our people. How deeply rooted their fear was.

Warlocks all around me fought against my kingdom alongside the Forsmontian soldiers, who at first were in shock that they had been living amongst them but then quickly focused on the battle at hand.

It was especially endearing seeing Leroy and Emma fight alongside one another. Leroy, a golden mountain lion, and Emma,a brown one. A King and Queen fighting to protect their home, protect their kind, and their human soldiers fighting along with them.

I was grateful my father's ideologies had not affected the people of Forsmont as they had our own.

I was faintly aware of Merrick and Taira to my right, along with Roland and Edmund. While there had already been casualties, Otacian and Forsmontian alike, I was grateful my friends were still alive.

I was fighting with proficiency, just as I always had, until I smelled it.

Burning flesh.

Bright light caught my attention, and when I shifted, I witnessed Lena, once again encased in that glowing flame of hers.

I knew, at least at this point, she was okay. She hadn't overused her magic just yet.

But the sound of the screams and howls of those burning, the scent of scorching skin, and seeing her like this…it was too much.

It was too much.

I couldn't breathe. I couldn't think. Not when it was bringing me back to the worst moment of my life.

It was like I was back in her cottage, back in her room. It was like I was witnessing her wrapped in flame—dying, just as I thought she had five years ago.

I was going to be sick. I was going to faint.

As if sensing my panic, Lena turned, worried green eyes settling on me.

She rushed toward me, grunting as she shot her hand forward, electrocuting the men who separated us—the men who were attempting to harm me.

I couldn't move. Why couldn't I move?

When Lena reached me, she let her flames dissipate before raising her arms, creating an ice wall around the two of us, trapping us inside.

“What's wrong?!” she panicked, eyes darting around my body. “Are you hurt?!”

“I-I just need a minute,” I gasped.

“We don't have a minute.” Her hand caressed my cheek, her palm hot but not unpleasant. "Silas, we can do this," she insisted, even as her voice shook. “You are the best fighter I've ever seen. I know killing your own must be hard, but—”

“It isn't about the men!” I growled, and Lena flinched. I swallowed, my face falling. “I struggle being around fire…around burned bodies. I struggle with the smell…”

Gods, I am fucking pathetic.

Lena's face instantly changed, understanding etched in her features. “Okay,” she said softly. “I won't use the fire then. I promise.”

I shook my head. “It's our best shot at winning—”

“I don't care. I have other magic. I'll use it.”

Without giving me time to respond, she melted our barrier, firing electricity at the Otacians who had surrounded us with just the slightest movement of her hand.

Blue sparks shot around us in a ring, the soldiers surrounding us dropping to the ground and convulsing as her magic touched them.

Lena smiled at me, and it was the most beautiful sight I'd ever seen.

“We're alive, Silas,” she breathed.

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