“A few days before he left for Daramveer. I didn’t get a chance to talk to him, and I felt terrible.” Yara lowers her head. “I’ve known Silas my entire life, so it was awkward—to say the least—when he walked in on me and his father in a most compromising position.”
“That’s why you were staring at him during our first evening in Andorwood?” I ask.
“Yes,” she says, with a nod. “It was the first time I had seen him in a long while. When he wouldn’t look at me, I knew right then Silas knew it was me. From that moment before Silas left, Malachi and my relationship began to crumble on both our parts.” Shame floods her face once more. “What I once thought was my future isn’t what I want anymore."
“Maybe I can talk to Silas for you. Is that why you are telling me this?”
She shakes her head. “I think my time is running out, and I’m scared. The girl before me went missing when Malachi grew tired of her.”
Nerves twist in my stomach.
“Ella was her name,” Yara continues. “She was a good friend of mine, and she told me similar things one day. She started to grow afraid of him and their meetings. I shrugged it off, thinking a breakup was coming, but then I never saw her again. Rumor has it that she left Andorwood to escape Malachi, but I know that isn’t the truth.”
“Well, we can get you out of here, then.” I narrow my eyes and nod in understanding. “You don’t have to stay if you are in danger.”
Tears sit heavy in her bottom lid. “Malachi is planning to leave, Briar. When the ship nears, he will leave Andorwood and head into the mountains. I overheard him while I was in the office the other day.” Her hands tremble. “He plans to abandon everyone, because he knows the ship sails toward us. He is willing to let Andorwood fall as long as he can stay hidden.”
Anger bubbles in my chest. “What else did he say? Why is he so determined to stay hidden?”
“He is old, Briar.” Yara’s fearful eyes meet mine. “Older than we can imagine. I don’t know how he’s been able to live this long, but it’s something dark.”
“Yara, what do you know?”
A tear falls down her smooth cheek. “He mentioned something about a tether.”
“That isn’t surprising.” I sit back, releasing a heavy exhale, “Was it regarding Silas?”
She shakes her head. “He did mention Silas’s name, but I have no idea what tether even means.”
Because Silas is my tether, I think to myself, but don’t share that piece of information.
It seems unfair to share that with her before telling the person it truly affects.
My jaw slacks, and I rub my temples for a moment, processing the wealth of information Yara has thrown at me. My head spins, and my heart breaks for her. She is scared, and I’m going to do everything I can to help her.
“Do you know anything about the Forgotten Archives?”
More tears flow down her beautiful face.
I grab her hands. “Any information you know could help us save Andorwood.”
“I know it’s guarded by something dark.” She sighs, “If you enter, you’d better be prepared to fight. Malachi has spent countless nights searching through scrolls and books for the entrance. Whatever is in there must be important.”
“Yeah, that seems to be common knowledge about it,” I reply.
“But,” she wipes her wet eyes, “I’ve heard only rumors, of course, that the Archives opens itself upon the full crimson moon. Malachi has an ancient book of Rigils that can protect you from the darkness inside.”
“Yara, the crimson moon is in two days.”
The first crimson moon signals the approach of warmer months, and the large, glowing orb shines brightly in the sky. It always happens around my birthday, so I’m quite familiar with the date. I often spent my birthdays on the roof of the castle in Daramveer, awestruck by the beauty of the sky. I always said it was my personal gift from the Gods.
“Yes, it is, Your Maj—I mean, Briar,” she says, and smiles. “I told you this meeting wasn't a coincidence.”
“Wait,” I pause. “I never asked who Malachi was speaking with about all of this information regarding Silas.”
“Oh,” she says casually, unaware of the weight her words carry. “He was having a meeting with Hux.”
I refuse to let my expression contort into disgust, and I nod my head in thanks to her once again. I stare, allowing the information to sink in for a moment. Silas’s supposed right-hand man is withholding all of this information deliberately.
