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“That’s why everyone goes into lockdown after dark. This man must have been desperate. Believe me, no one likes to be out after dark here.”
Silas helps me up and we make our way to Victor’s shop. I knock three times, and he opens the door, ushering us in. I hand him the rolled-up papers full of herbs.
“Yes, I can make a bit with this,” he says, sorting the herbs. “I can have it done by morning.”
I nod, and Victor shows us out. The night is extra cold tonight and by the time we get back to the castle, I’m shivering, my hands are aching, and my teeth chattering loudly. The gates open and Matitus tugs me against him, lending me his warmth. I press my hands under his shirt and onto his hot skin.
“Geez your hands are like ice,” he says, snatching them and blowing on them. My fingers are warmed instantly and I have to rip them away when they become too hot. “Ow.”
“Sorry,” he says as Silas opens the front door.
“Come, a shower should warm you up,” Silas says, and I follow them while turning to Matitus.
“Abbie?”
“She is at her house with her mother and daughter.”
I nod, relief flooding me that she is ok.
“Lilith?” I ask Dragus.
“Marian gave her your old room,” Dragus answers.
Silas has been silent the entire trip home and I can tell he is thinking about something, and a few times I have found him invading my thoughts. I didn’t stop his probing, instead I let him. Walking into the bedroom, I rush to the bathroom, turning the shower on.
Stripping off, I step under the shower’s spray. The hot water burns my skin and makes me flinch till my skin heats enough for it to stop.
Matitus steps in with me and Dragus. “Where is Silas?”
“Thinking, he didn’t realize things were so bad out there, none of us did,” Dragus answers, his expression guilt-ridden. I say nothing, and instead shower quickly and hop out. When I walk out, Silas is coming in with a tray of soup and bread like we gave the kids. I get dressed and he hands me a bowl and some bread as I sit at the desk. My belly rumbles from not eating all day.
