Chapter 0524
Neah
He looks at me in the same way that Dane does. One that says he can see deeper than what's on the surface. A look full of curiosity and intent. It's unsettling, I didn't want anyone but Dane to look at me that way.
"Thank you for the invitation. But I won't be coming with you. I may share a surname and blood with Serkan, but that is all. He isn't my family. He could have had a chance and he didn't bother. You can tell him that."
“He likely won't take it very well." Silas tells me
"I'm not taking it well." I snap. "You told us that the people of White Cliffs need someone to follow. Not that they want to, that they need it or all hell breaks out. Serkan is only interested now that I've developed my abilities and because he is old. Where was his interest five years, ten years, twenty years ago? Oh right, he wasn't ready."
Maybe I was being a little irrational. Maybe my hormones were making me extra snappy. But I was not letting this grandfather that I have never met try to dictate what or where I should be in life. I had figured it out so far and he was not the one who helped me."
"He has his reasons." Silas tells me
“And I have mine. You said it was an invitation. I am rejecting it."
I grab my damp clothes and head towards the door. I could tell by Danes' footsteps that he was right behind me.
Silas doesn't follow us as we make our way back to the car. Launching my damp clothes into the back seat, I pull the fluffy robe around me tightly and sink into the front passenger seat.
Dane rests an arm on my open door. "I'm not changing my mind." I frown
"Okay."
"I will tell the boys what I know and when only they are old enough. Then, if they want to, they can explore it. Right now, I refuse to be forced into something because of someone else's expectations and desires."
"That's fair."
"You're not going to tell me I should take him up on his offer?" I knew he wanted me to find out more for the boys. Particularly Evrin.
"You know I have wanted you to consider it. You have, I won't push it anymore and at least then you won't be anywhere near Silas." His eyes burn into mine. "I saw the way he looked at you. He is lucky he still has a set of eyes."
"I will never belong to anyone else." I mutter
My lips curve up and he leans in the car to kiss me. Before his lips hit mine someone clears their throat. Dane growls as he pulls away and turns to face Silas.
"Thought you didn't like to interrupt?" Dane snarls
"Believe me, usually I wouldn't, but Serkan would like me to ask Neah what it is that he can offer in exchange for Neah coming for a visit to White Cliffs."
"I've made myself more than clear." I mutter, pulling the robe ridiculously tight. Though he was no longer looking at me like he had been in the small house.
Silas shoves his hands in his
pockets and nods, "I informed him. But he feels you haven't given it enough thought. In other words he thinks I have not tried hard enough to convince you."
'Is he being serious?' Nyx snarls
"I thought it was an invitation.” Dane scowls at him. “An invitation gives the receiver an opportunity to say no. She said no. There is nothing more."
"I agree." Silas mutters. "And it
appears that have been misled or rather he thought that I understood his unspoken request." He turns away and leans back against the front of the car and folds his arms across his broad chest.
"What has he asked you to do?" Dane presses.
“I'm sure you can imagine.” Silas tells him, “And I'm not on board with that."
I feel the pressure at the tips of my fingers. My claws were ready to come out if I needed to protect myself.
"If I don't go, he will kill you?" I ask
"On my return, yes."
"You're certain?"
"Not one hundred percent. Though I've seen it happen. I believed this to be different. I was led to believe you had complete choice." He shakes his head, "It seems that I am more disposable than I realised."
'This is where we need Brax.' Nyx mutters.All text © NôvelD(r)a'ma.Org.
I agree, Brax's ability to read people would be very welcomed right now. Because Silas didn't seem the least bit annoyed that Serkan hadn't given him the whole truth.