Silas pulled Avery into his arms and hugged her tightly. His arms wrapped protectively around her as though shielding her from the world.
Avery stood still, stunned into silence. Silas was acting far too caring today. The contrast between his usual cold demeanor and this sudden emotional vulnerability made her chest tighten in confusion.
"Silas, don't worry," Avery said,the same thing again, her tone calm and firm. "I don't care about that Keaton. He's just a parasite. I am strong enough to fight him on my own." Her words were meant to reassure him, but even as she spoke, she could feel the undercurrent of tension still coursing through Silas's body.
