“I know you are.”
“Then why are you even asking?” I snapped.
“Quiet, omega!” Silas barked. I winced at his grating voice. I’d forgotten he was here, too. “Don’t speak to the Captain that way.”
“Whatever,” I muttered. My tongue was loose, and I knew it, but as long as Kass was here, Silas wouldn’t dare touch me again. If I couldn’t do anything else, at least defying Silas would bring mesomepleasure.
Silas glared like he wanted nothing more than to throttle the life out of me. Spurned on by the hatred in his eyes, I said, “What do you even need me for, anyway? Do you just like having me locked up here?”
“I do,” he said venomously, “but that’s more than you need to know.”
But my question turned the gears in Kass’ mind. I saw the slight frown on his lips as he asked, “Wait, Silas. The rest of the Knights are… gone, aren’t they?”
“If you meandead,then they’re all gone, yes. Except for the two of us.”
Kass’ gaze fell, his eyes suddenly looking distant. “So much time has passed,” he mumbled to himself. He lifted his head again and asked, “Then… why even keep Halo locked up?”
Silas’ eyes flared open, as if he couldn’t believe what he was hearing. “Captain?”
Kass stood. “The Commander is dead. We no longer report to anyone. The Cinderhollow we knew is gone.Everythingwe knew is gone. Was capturing Halo really so important that you threw your life away for it? Your mate died alone for this!”
“Captain,” Silas snapped.
Kass suddenly looked ashamed of his outburst. “I’m so sorry. I didn’t mean to upset you.”
“I’m not upset about that,” Silas growled. “I’m upset because you’re letting the omega brainwash you. Don’t fall for his tricks. He’s a danger to us - to everyone. Capturing him was the best thing to do. He cannot be allowed to walk freely after what he’s done.” He put a hand on Kass’ shoulder. “You did the right thing, Captain. Again.”
Again. Silas’s words made me prickle with anger.Again, Kass betrayed me. Of course he did. Why wouldn’t he? He did it once - there was no reason to assume he wouldn’t keep doing it. I shouldn’t expect anything more from the man who tore our family apart.
“So… What now? We just guard Halo for the rest of our lives?” Kass asked. His frown deepened. He gave me the briefest glance from the corner of his eye before looking away, then mumbled to Silas in a low tone, “His magic won’t be drained forever, you know.”
That’s right. It won’t,I thought bitterly, clenching my fists behind the shackles.
But Silas didn’t seem too concerned. “Yes, I’m well aware. But not to worry, Captain, things aren’t so bleak. I have a source that will help us deal with this omega. We’re not alone, you know. Just because the Knights we knew are dead doesn’t mean their spirit is gone.” He squeezed Kass’ shoulder. “We can rebuild them. There are a lot of people like us, out there. People who want justice, and safety for society.”
Kass nodded slowly. “You’re right. The Knights were an ideal - not just the men and women we knew.”
“Exactly,” Silas said. “Now, since you’re here, I should update my source. Exciting things are about to happen, Kass. Just think of what you can do for the new Knights of this time! Maybe this time,youwill be our Commander.” Silas clapped him on the shoulder, then turned for the door. “I won’t be long. Please keep an eye on the omega.” He frowned and muttered, “There’s still bread, if he’s hungry.”
I rolled my eyes. He was only pretending to give a shit about me now that Kass was listening.
Silas stepped outside the cabin, shifted into his wyvern form, and took off.
Kass and I were alone. Neither of us spoke. The cabin was strangely quiet until Kass laid his spoon against the ceramic bowl with a softclink. He stood, picked up the bowl, and knelt in front of me. Gentle steam still rolled off the soup’s surface.
“Do you want the rest of it?” Kassius asked.
I couldn’t stop my acid retort. “I don’t know. Is it poisoned?”
Kass didn’t look amused. “You know it’s not. Come on. I know you’re hungry, and I’m not about to let you survive on stale bread.”
“Why not?” I asked, glaring at him. “I’m barely living right now anyway. Let me eat your stale leftovers. In fact, don’t feed me at all. Just let me starve to death.”
“Halo,” Kass said warningly.
I hated when he took that tone - the one that saidyou’ve gone too far this time. I rolled my eyes. He wasn’t the boss of me. He hadn’t been when we were mates, and hedefinitelywasn’t now.
“Don’t roll your eyes at me,” Kass growled. He lifted the spoon to my lips. The scent of warm broth and pheasant meat hit my nose, causing my stomach to growl. Kass raised a brow and said, “Eat.”
