Page 84

Chapter 27

The next morning, I wake early, eager to get back to the children in the warehouse. My back is killing me from sleeping on the couch in the room. I refused to sleep in the bed; just because they helped the kids yesterday doesn’t mean I have forgiven everything. One thing I’m aware of, though, is that halfway through the night. Silas got up and left the room. The shutting of the bedroom door had woken me and when I got up this morning his scent was only faint, indicating he hasn’t come back since he left. Getting up, the first thing I do is get dressed and race downstairs to check on Lilith. I didn’t find her in my old room. Instead, I find her eating breakfast with Dragus in the dining room.

Silas comes in behind me as I approach Lilith. She eyes Silas warily but doesn’t move. She seems to have become quite comfortable around Dragus and is smiling when I walk in.

I sit next to her and steal a piece of toast off Dragus’s plate, making him smirk. “Did you sleep well?” I ask Lilith who nods, taking a giant bite of pancakes.

“Yes, it is warmer here than out there.”

I nod in agreement when Silas comes over, placing his hands on the back of my chair, staring down at me and making me gaze up at his closeness.

“I need to speak to you,” he whispers below my ear, making me shiver. There is something about the way he spoke that makes me worry. Pushing my chair out, I get up and follow him out of the room. Matitus follows, making me wonder what it is he wants to speak to me about.

Matitus sits in the armchair, and I sit at the end of the desk. Silas stands silently, watching me and I can feel his anger through the bond which he is trying to mask. If it weren’t for the bond, I wouldn’t have even been able to read the cold expression on his face.

“What did you want to speak about?” I ask, my heart skipping a beat when I see the corners of his lips tug up, like he is enjoying the fear in me.

Silas steps closer, and my heart rate spikes as he stops in front of me.

“You’re nervous,” he states as he braces his hands on either side of my waist on the desk.

“Should I be?” I ask, wondering what he wants.

“Yes, I don’t like liars, and you lied to me again,” he answers. I see Matitus out of the corner of my eye giving me a worried look. I swallow, my mouth suddenly feeling dry. Silas smiles seeing how nervous I become at his accusation, though it just makes me more curious as to what he is referring to.

“I don’t know what you are talking about,” I answer honestly.

Silas smiles sadistically, his face moving closer to mine. “I will only ask you once and if you lie to me, I won’t be held responsible for what I do next,” he whispers against my lips before biting down on my bottom lip. Silas pushes my knees apart and moves between my legs trapping me between him and the desk, giving me no opportunity to get out of this situation.

“What are you talking about?” I ask looking toward Matitus who shrugs clearly not understanding where Silas is going with this, either. Silas grips my chin, forcing me to look back at him.

“I was up all night wondering why Abigail would let her daughter leave without her. Now why would a mother let her daughter go unless she is scared of something happening to her?” Silas says, watching my face carefully. I feel the blood drain right out of me at his words.

“And I gather by your reaction, you know exactly what I am talking about and why Abigail would rather take the risk of her daughter escaping the Kingdom then remain within the safety of the borders.”

I look away. I know exactly why Abigail did what she did. I understand her need to protect her daughter, especially from someone like Silas.

“So, my question is, Elora, why would Abigail tell her mother to take her daughter and run?” I open my mouth to answer when he speaks again. My heart beats erratically in my chest as his hands go to my thighs gripping them tightly.

“Now don’t lie to me, Elora,” he whispers, and I feel my blood run cold.

“What will you do?” I ask worried, yet by the look he is giving me, he is daring me to lie to him because he knows the answer already.

Silas looks to Matitus who is watching intently, no doubt trying to figure out what Silas knows.

“I want you to go get Abigail’s family and bring them here,” he tells Matitus.

“Silas, what is this about?” Matitus asks standing. Silas looks at me and smiles, his sharp teeth gleaming in the light.

“Why would I want Claire, Elora?” he asks, his grip on my thighs tightening makes me whimper.

“Elora?” Matitus asks, looking at me worriedly.

I shake my head when Silas growls, gripping my chin tightly between his fingers. Tears brim in my eyes.

“She is just a child,” I tell him.

“Answer him!” Silas growls, and goosebumps rise all over my body, tears slipping down my cheeks.