Chapter 98

I barely slept. Every time I closed my eyes, Silas was there. I could still see his red eyes and feel his hands on me.

By morning, my body felt heavy and sore.

Rain tapped against the tower windows, a steady, rhythmic sound that hadn't stopped since the night before. I pulled my blanket tighter around my shoulders, trying to hide from the cold.

The door clicked and swung open without a knock. Cindy walked in.

“Rise and shine,” she said.

I looked at the gray sky outside. “Have you seen the weather, Cindy?”

“It’s always like this here. Most of the time, anyway,” she said, walking toward me. “You better learn to find the bright side—or make one up—if you want to survive.”

She sat on the edge of my bed.

“Are you here just to check on me, or is there a reason?” I asked.

“Always a reason,” she said. “Declan is waiting for you for breakfast.”

“This is becoming a tradition,” I muttered. I noticed Cind