ast assassin lay dead by the council table, eyes wide and

ized it at t

pulled hi

between u

n the room stared at me-the elders, warriors, a

elped

ou see

ser

straight, his f

h," he

quieted i

th empty eyes. "Clear the bodies. Lock the ga

s moved

l, stepped forward. His mout

slowly, "you fought

said n

to me. "And she move

d felt li

nt," Silas said.

st tig

"Then why was she touc

the room lea

jaw ti

he said. "I used

isapproval went

n't try to explain myself. I kept my eyes o

e over. "Look

lifted

t. You're weak. Yet you stood by th

allo

idence," Sila

him. "Or something m

cane hit the

sed," Silas said. "We'l

ders p

they

ied, Silas turne

he whispe

n't a

r before his hand grabbed my arm,

lammed shu

ou thinking?

ou were about to

fro

s face-anger, fear, and

s," he said. "

t," I said. My voice was sha

ment, neither

ulders droop

quietly. "The council doesn't

eart

wer," I whispered. "I

sharp, bitter sou

s echoed

Go to the kitchens," he sa

odd

leave, his ha

ond p

s curled-t

they took

rvant quarters when the horns

on h

mach t

ra

. Guards stood along the ha

tied. His fac

I br

p. His eyes

said hoars

ushed him

unced, "the brother of the traitor's

stepped forward

ut through the

napped to

as hard. U

s dragg

cream....I

to Silas and dro

uietly. "This is m

didn't

me," I

ned his head t

you. Obey you. Let me help you le

eath c

doing those th

I said. "But do

. His hand moved near my face

ar," he said softly. "If I protect yo

urned m

ose him,"

losed h

ng," he said. "If I choo

t," I said,

out before fear

ond f

ok a sha

y, standing up. "Befo

mbled

a..".

ra

ht, I was call

nd steel. Silas stood near

spy," he said. "A wit

d. "What w

rned

nd to punish

ath hi

"you will stand before the co

art p

ian?"

jaw ti

et go," he sa

washed

tepping closer, "you belong

and l

" he murmured, "yo

ers brus

rked-stronge

th of us, a pair of watching

my had