moments he could rid Albion of its greatest threat.
He considered it carefully, noticing the thinly disguised fear in the men’s eyes as they made their way out of the circle.
No, he decided. Now was not the time.
Gradually, the color started to return to Kate’s skin. She opened her eyes, and Silas lifted his hand gently from her head.
“Silas?”
“It appears I am not the only one who can look into the face of death and survive,” he said. “I was starting to believe you had gone too far.”
“Where’s Artemis?” asked Kate, sitting up. “And Edgar?”
“They are here. We have both done as we promised. I may not be dead, but I am free of Da’ru and your uncle is still alive. My honor is satisfied, as is yours. As of this moment, we owe each other nothing.”
Silas held Wintercraft tightly.The book’s ancient leather felt rough against his fingertips as he passed it to Kate, and he felt a warm flood of energy rush across his skin as the new blood within him reacted to her being close by. “This book is as much responsible for my situation as Da’ru herself,” he said. “It has made me what I am, and I do not want anything more to do with it. It belongs with you now. Keep it safe. Let no one know that you have it, and do not be afraid. You will become used to the veil in time.”
Kate looked down at the book, not knowing what to say.
“Many souls are free because of what you have done tonight,” said Silas. “Da’ru never could have opened this circle on her own. If it had truly belonged to her, it would have died when she did, but she was not in command of it. You were. Your energy created this circle, and your link to it acted as a beacon when you fell into death, allowing lost souls to pass freely into death’s current and letting them finally find peace. You have a rare gift, Miss Winters. Do not turn your back upon it.”
Silas stood up. “There is no place for me in this city anymore,” he said. “I suggest you leave here as soon as you can. Hundreds of people saw your face today. Many of them will fear you, and there are those who will hunt you for what you can do. You must disappear. Do not let them find you, and more than anything else, be careful whom you trust.”
Silas turned to walk away, and Kate called after him.
“Good-bye,” she said. “And thank you . . . for what you did.”
Silas looked back and nodded once. “Good-bye, Kate.”
Then he stepped out of sight behind one of the council carriages, and was gone.
“Kate!” Edgar ran up to her, with Artemis and Tom close behind, and Artemis pulled her into a crushing hug.
“You’re alive!” he said, almost squeezing the life out of her again. “I thought you were gone. I thought . . .”
Edgar waited awkwardly as Artemis took his time, and when he finally let her go, Kate hid Wintercraft under her coat before letting Edgar help her up.
“Silas is gone,” Edgar said, but his smile faded when he looked into Kate’s face. “What happened to your eyes?”
“Why?” said Kate. “What’s wrong with them?”
“Nothing’s wrong, exactly. They’re just a bit . . . different.”
Kate headed to the nearest carriage and looked at her reflection in the dark window. Her eyes were a completely different color; her irises were rings of deep black, edged with blue, and her pupils were glazed with a sheen of silver that could only be seen when the light caught them a certain way.
“Most of the Skilled spend years looking into the veil before it affects them like that,” said Edgar. “But I’ve never seen silver in anyone’s eyes before.”
Kate looked toward one of the lower gates just in time to see Silas riding a stolen carriage horse out of the square.
“Do you feel all right?” asked Edgar.
“I’m fine,” said Kate, not wanting to admit that her eyes felt like she had been staring too long at the sun. When she looked down at the ground the symbols closest to her feet still looked like they were glowing with gentle light.
“The wardens won’t just let us go, not after all of this,” said Artemis nervously. “Edgar, can you drive a carriage?”
“Tom’s a better driver than I am. Why?”
“I think we should take a carriage and find somewhere safe before the council send their men back