The Debt of the Unmarked

The hall went silent. Blood covered the stone floor. The last assassin lay dead by the council table, eyes wide and empty. My fingers were still wrapped around Silas's wrist.

We both realized it at the same time.

Slowly, he pulled his hand away.

The bond between us screamed.

I stumbled back, breathing too fast. Everyone in the room stared at me-the elders, warriors, and nobles. Whispers spread like a rising storm.

"She helped him..."

"Did you see that?"

"The servant-"

Silas stood up straight, his face like stone.

"Enough," he said.

The room quieted instantly.

He lifted his chin, staring straight ahead with empty eyes. "Clear the bodies. Lock the gates. Nobody leaves this hall until I say so."

Warriors moved at once.

One of the elders, Elder Kael, stepped forward. His mouth was tight, his gaze sharp.

"Alpha," Kael said slowly, "you fought like you could see."

Silas said nothing.

Kael's eyes shifted to me. "And she moved like your shadow."

Every word felt like a knife.

"She is my servant," Silas said. "Nothing more."

My chest tightened.

Kael smiled a little. "Then why was she touching you during battle?"

Everyone in the room leaned in closer.

Silas's jaw tightened.

"She panicked," he said. "I used her as a shield."

A low sound of disapproval went through the crowd.

My stomach dropped-but I didn't move. I didn't try to explain myself. I kept my eyes on the floor, like servants were taught to do.

Kael looked me over. "Look at me, girl."

I slowly lifted my head.

His gaze sharpened. "You're not hurt. You're weak. Yet you stood by the Alpha while trained warriors fell."

I swallowed.

"Just a coincidence," Silas said coldly.

Kael turned back to him. "Or something much more dangerous."

The Alpha's cane hit the floor once.

"This council is dismissed," Silas said. "We'll talk about this later."

The elders paused.

Then they bowed.

As the hall emptied, Silas turned sharply to me.

"Leave," he whispered. "Now."

I didn't argue.

I made it halfway down the corridor before his hand grabbed my arm, pulling me into a dark side passage.

The door slammed shut behind us.

"What were you thinking?" he demanded.

"I was thinking you were about to die," I shot back.

He froze.

The torchlight showed his face-anger, fear, and something raw underneath.

"You exposed us," he said. "You exposed me."

"You pulled me into the fight," I said. My voice was shaking now. "You didn't let go."

For a long moment, neither of us spoke.

Then his shoulders drooped-just a bit.

"They'll investigate," he said quietly. "The council doesn't ignore miracles. Or weapons."

My heart sank.

"I don't want this power," I whispered. "I never asked for it."

He laughed once, a sharp, bitter sound. "Neither did I."

Footsteps echoed outside.

Silas stood up straight. "Go to the kitchens," he said. "Act scared. Act small."

I nodded.

As I turned to leave, his hand brushed mine.

The bond pulsed.

His fingers curled-then let go.

That night, they took my brother.

I was carrying water to the servant quarters when the horns sounded again. Not battle horns.

Prison horns.

My stomach twisted.

I ran.

The dungeon doors were open. Guards stood along the hall. And in between them-Kian.

His hands were tied. His face was bruised.

"No," I breathed.

He looked up. His eyes found mine.

"Elara," he said hoarsely. "Don't-"

A guard pushed him forward.

"By order of the council," Kael announced, "the brother of the traitor's daughter is called for questioning."

"Questioning?" I stepped forward. "You promised-"

Silas's voice cut through the hall. "Take him."

My head snapped toward him.

His face was hard. Unreadable.

Kian was dragged away.

I didn't scream....I didn't beg.

I walked straight to Silas and dropped to my knees.

"Please," I said quietly. "This is my fault. Not his."

Silas didn't move.

"Look at me," I whispered.

Slowly, he turned his head toward my voice.

"I'll do anything," I said. "Guide you. Obey you. Let me help you lead. Just don't let them break him."

His breath caught.

"You're already doing those things," he said.

"Then use me," I said. "But don't punish him."

Silas crouched in front of me. His hand moved near my face-stopping just before touching.

"They think you're more than you appear," he said softly. "If I protect your brother now, it proves them right."

Tears burned my eyes

"I can't lose him," I whispered.

Silas closed his eyes.

"I already lost everything," he said. "If I choose you, I risk my pack."

"If you don't," I said, "you lose me."

The words came out before fear could stop them.

The bond flared.

Silas took a sharp breath.

"Go," he said suddenly, standing up. "Before I change my mind."

I stumbled back.

"Alpha.."..."Go."

I ran.

Later that night, I was called to his rooms.

The room smelled of smoke and steel. Silas stood near the window, his back to me.

"They're calling you a spy," he said. "A witch. A Moon-born curse."

I swallowed. "What will you do?"

He turned slowly.

"I will pretend to punish you," he said.

My breath hitched.

"In three days," he continued, "you will stand before the council. They expect punishment."

My heart pounded.

"And Kian?" I asked.

Silas's jaw tightened.

"He will be let go," he said. "Quietly."

Relief washed over me.

"But after that," he said, stepping closer, "you belong to me in ways no one can see."

His hand lifted.

"From the shadows," he murmured, "you will be my eyes."

His fingers brushed mine.

The bond sparked-stronger than ever.

And far away, hidden from both of us, a pair of watching eyes narrowed in the dark.

The enemy had found me.