Page 86 of At the Mercy of Midnight
“You—you never reported them?”
Amelia shook her head. “Cowardly, I know. I was afraid I wouldn’t be believed. I had no proof they were the ones who’d done it. They’re at the top of their fields and highly revered…I just wanted to move on with my life.”
Silas breathed out roughly, trying to control his emotions. “Is that why you’ve been so…relentless, so determined to be on top?”
She shrugged. “For so long I could never celebrate any achievement I ever made, because I couldn’t shake the feeling that it was an obligation to achieve them. I’ve tried breaking through that, but I suppose it made me quite…competitive, or overly eager to prove myself.”
Her parents had instilled that message. That she was worth nothing if she didn’t contribute to society. The picture became clearer, the puzzle pieces slotting into place, why she was so competitive and steadfast in working alone. Her thirst toprove she was worthy overtook everything else until it became her entire personality.
She sighed again. “As long as I stay away from them, I feel safe. They’re the only ones who know how to activate the runes.”
She shifted with discomfort, looking bereft.
Silas moved to her, sinking to his knees before her. She lifted her head slowly, his stomach turning to see unshed tears in her eyes.
“What they did to you was evil,” he said vehemently, “and they should be locked up for it.” She averted her gaze with a frown. Protectiveness swept through him again. “I first saw you when I was eighteen, during my first visit to the Spire’s library. I’ve only known you…after, and to me, you’ve always been the most inspirational, intelligent, fiercely brave, quick-witted, and wildly interesting woman I have ever known.”
She looked up, eyes widening.
Silas gripped her knees softly. “That was all you. You havenothingto prove, not to your parents, not to me, not toanyone. Do you understand?”
Her lips parted, breath faltering. For a moment she just blinked, the words hanging in the air. Silas knew she could never take a compliment, and now he recognised why, but his words seemed to land like a stone in a still pond. She let out a trembling breath. “I…I’m not sure I can help it sometimes. I am what they made me.”
Silas moved his other hand to sit across hers. “Don’t let them steal the person you were always meant to be. You are the storm. Never forget that.”
Her expression slowly softened, dark eyes warming.
“You keep surprising me.”
He gave her a half-smile. “You don’t like surprises?”
“Not particularly,” she admitted, accompanied by a soft smile. “But you’ve been a good one.”
They lingered in the quiet space between their heartbeats, his hand cradling hers, heat blooming where their skin met. Reluctantly, he slid his hand from hers, rising to his feet.
“Right,” he said, “emotional connection works. I think it’s getting stronger.”
She stood slowly, a long, weighted exhale slipping from her lungs. “Do you think we could read each other’s minds?” Amelia asked, not sounding thrilled by the prospect.
“I don’t think so. Did you want to try?”
She laughed under her breath. “Not sure I’d want to find out, but…let’s give it a go.”
“Okay. We’ll try eye contact while you focus on me, and I’ll think of something specific.”
“Alright.”
She inched closer, hesitation flickering in her eyes, but she didn’t look away.
He focused on Amelia, one sentence circling through his mind, echoing like a truth he could never outrun.
You are the storm. You are the storm. You are the storm.
A minute passed before she blinked, shaking her head. “I don’t hear anything.”
He chuckled lightly. “Well, that’s a relief.”
She raised a brow, curiosity sharp in her eyes. “Why? What were you thinking?”
