Page 67 of The Spirit Key
Silvanus began to cry, and my heart broke seeing him falling apart. I didn’t understand why he wanted us to murder his own brother, but I truly pitied him.
“Put him down, Vano.”
There was confusion in Vano’s expression. “What? Why?”
“Please. Just put him down.”
It was good that Vano listened to me, because I don’t think I could have stopped him if he chose to ignore my request.
I went to Silvanus and knelt down before him. “Why would you do this?”
Silvanus looked up, and his eyes showed the depth of his pain. “This was my life. My wife. My child. It was all I ever wanted, and now he has them both.”
“He’s trying to help them. Surely you can’t be angry at him for that.”
I reached out and took his hands, surprised that I could feel the cool skin, and for a heartbeat, Silvanus and I were one. I saw him stopping at a farm and asking about a job. It wasn’t one he wanted, but he had a wife and baby daughter to support. The owner spat at him, called him vile names, and told him to get off his property. Silvanus pleaded with him and said he would work for pennies, but he needed a job.
The owner called out to two men who came and grabbed Silvanus. They dragged him out into the woods and began to beat him. Pain coursed through me as I shared Silvanus’s anguish. The agony as bones broke, an eye was crushed to pulp, and yet, the only thing that Silvanus thought about was Tania and his newborn baby daughter. As he lay dying, the men spat on him, then threw him into an old well. Silvanus died frightened and alone.
“You don’t blame your brother. You’re angry because you were killed and taken from your family.”
“But he has my life.”
“No, he’s protecting your legacy. He wants your family safe—don’t you see that?”
Silvanus looked up at his brother, then back to me. “It’s not fair.”
“No, it’s not.”
“And I can’t even say goodbye to Tania and Roma.”
With Vano at my side, I held out a hand to Tania. “Could you please come here?”
She gave the baby to Patrin, then made her way to me.
Vano leaned in close. “What are you doing?”
“I don’t know, but I have to do something. He’s in so much pain.”
Tania took my hand and let out a gasp. “Silvanus? My love?”
Silvanus looked up, and a bright smile bloomed over his face. “Tania?”
Both of them stared at each other for a moment, then started to cry.
“I’m so sorry I left you. And I’m sorry I was angry at Patrin. Everything was so dark, and I hated him for stealing my life.”
“But he didn’t. He gave us a place to live, that’s all. I swear nothing else happened.”
Silvanus shook his head. “No, don’t shut him out. Patrin is a good man and would make a good husband for you and a strong father for our child.”
“But I don’t want—”
Silvanus tightened his grip on Tania’s fingers. “Don’t say no. See where your heart leads you. It may be to Patrin. It may not. Either way, my only wish is for you both to be happy.”
I needed to ask. “What changed your mind?”
Silvanus gifted me with a grin. “You. When you touched me, all the anger bled away and I could see clearly again. You truly are a gift from God, Sofia.” He tilted his head back and looked at Vano. “And you are her guardian. Heed my words, both of you. I came to you because I heard that Sofia transcended death itself. It will not only be me. Many spirits will come to seek your aid. Vano, you must stand between them and Sofia. You must protect her from those who would use her or do her harm. And Sofia, you must help where you can, but never let spirits take over your life. Use your gift wisely and listen to Vano. He will be the lock that spirits must get through to see you. And you? You are the key that will free the spirits from their bonds. Even now as peace settles over me, I can feel myself being tugged away.” His gaze shifted to Tania. “I love you more than I ever loved anything. The day you agreed to be my wife, everything that came before no longer mattered. When Roma was born, I could see our future in her eyes, hear how our love had grown in her laughter. The two of you will be the only thing in life that I will miss. Be well, my love.”
