The castle walls are filled with a thick, musty air. Somehow, the hallways seem darker than before, and I quietly make my way down the corridor toward Yara’s bedroom. My senses are on high alert, and every noise sends me into a panic. At any moment, I feel as if Malachi could return, or I might encounter one of the Travelers head-on, just like the last time I was in this hallway.
Even though we were exhausted and beaten up, Larkin and I shifted here shortly after returning to the house for a quick freshen-up. However, it didn’t do anything to hide the dark bruises forming on both of our faces. Her words continuously play in my mind, and I know for certain she left something here.
Look to where the light guided you.
The first night my Lumor abilities manifested, my light guided me directly to her room. She used that as a code, knowing Malachi would have no idea what she meant at the time. I struggle against the flashes of memories in my mind and try to focus on something else, but it’s impossible. The image of her standing there, so scared, dragging the blade across her throat, will forever be burned into my mind.
I fear I’ll never be able to cleanse it.
I close my eyes and pull on the tether, keeping Silas and me together.
“Silas,” I call in my mind.
“Hey,” he responds. “You alright?”
“We are in the castle.”
“Who?”
“Larkin and I. We are going to Yara’s bedroom.”
“I’m with Fenmore,” he says. “Need me?”
“Are you done?”
“I am now.”
We round the last corner down the hallway, and anxiety floods me. I genuinely have no idea what I’m about to find or if I’m making the whole thing up and will be let down when I find nothing. I shrug off the doubts and come to the final room on the left.
Yara’s bedroom.
Like all other doors, this one also has a snake embedded in it. Clear, jeweled eyes watch me as I warily move my hand to the knob to push open the door. My fingers graze the cold metal handle when I feel a presence growing—his presence.
Silas shifts into the hallway.
His eyes find mine, and I smile, forgetting how I look after the fight on the cliff. Silas’s face contorts, and he looks me up and down, as he walks our way.
He storms forward, cradling my face. “What the fuck happened?”
I smile, thankful to see him again after being apart. “I’m fine, you insane worrywart.”
He presses a kiss to my lips, then angles my head to check the scratch. “You are scratched and bruised. I take it training either went really well, or someone is dead.”
“Yeah, you should see the other guy,” I laugh and wink at Larkin.
Larkin chuckles, extending his hand. “Hi, I am the other guy.”
Silas casts a warning glance his way, but the faintest sign of a smile twitches his lip.
“I asked them to train you. I didn’t think it would result in you all trying to kill each other.” Silas places his hands into his pockets and gives me a look.
I laugh. “It was hardly that.”
I stand on my tiptoes and give him another kiss.
“To be fair,Ididn’t try to kill anyone,” Larkin says, smiling, as we move toward the door.
“Explain what we are doing,” Silas insists. “How can I help?”
