His Silent Luna (Verity and Felicity) novel Chapter 10

CHAPTER TEN: THE MUTE GIRL

Cassian’s Perspective

More than two weeks had passed since I had assigned Caleb to conduct the interrogations. Fourteen long, agonizing days stretched out before me, each one heavier than the last. Yet, despite every effort, she remained silent—utterly mute.

I found myself tapping my fingers rhythmically against the armrest of my chair. The steady drumming echoed sharply in the stillness of my office, a sound almost louder than the silence itself. My mind was a tempest, swirling with restless thoughts that refused to settle. Every time I closed my eyes, her image invaded my thoughts—her face, the quiet that surrounded her, and that maddening resemblance to Felicity. She looked like her, yet she was undeniably not.

The door creaked open softly, breaking the silence. Caleb and Kin entered without a word. Caleb positioned himself to the side, his expression as inscrutable as ever. His eyes were sharp, alert, and his presence carried a quiet but lethal intensity. He was a man of few words, but when he spoke, people paid attention.

Kin, by contrast, looked worn down and exhausted, as if he hadn’t slept in days. His shoulders were tight, and his jaw clenched so hard it looked like it might crack. Something was clearly wrong.

I steepled my fingers together and leaned back in my chair, my voice low and commanding. “Report.”

Caleb gave a single nod. “She still hasn’t said a word.”

I wasn’t surprised.

“And?” I pressed, my tone edged with impatience. I was already on edge, and I didn’t want to waste time.

“She has new injuries.”

The air in the room shifted, becoming heavy and tense.

I lifted my gaze sharply, locking eyes with Caleb. “What did you say?”

“Injuries,” he repeated, his voice steady. “Fresh ones.”

For a moment, I didn’t respond. Then, the only question that mattered escaped my lips.

“Who?”

The room seemed to freeze.

Caleb glanced at Kin, tilting his head slightly. “I didn’t do it.”

Slowly, deliberately, I turned my attention to Kin.

Under my intense stare, his face drained of color.

“I… I was just trying to help,” he stammered, his words tumbling out awkwardly, like a stack of stones about to collapse. “You said we needed answers. I thought maybe—”

“You thought?” I interrupted, my voice cold and sharp as ice. “I assigned Caleb. Not you.”

“I know, but—”

Before he could finish, I was across the room in a blur.

My hand shot out, gripping Kin’s throat with brutal force, slamming him against the wall. The wood behind him cracked under the impact.

He struggled, his legs kicking weakly as I pinned him firmly.

“We may be friends, Kin,” I growled lowly, “but don’t forget your place. Don’t push me.”

His eyes bulged in panic, his fingers clawing desperately at my wrist. His mouth opened, but no words came out.

I released him abruptly.

He crumpled to the floor with a sharp gasp, coughing and clutching his throat.

I didn’t bother to look at him.

My chest rose and fell heavily as I returned to my chair.

Kin stayed frozen on the ground—probably the wisest choice he could make.

He was right.

Night after night, I tossed and turned, unable to quiet the ache in my chest. That girl haunted me—the memory of her eyes, her scent, every detail etched into my mind.

I didn’t even know her name.

Yet she was everywhere—in my thoughts, in my confusion, in the guilt that gnawed at me.

Caleb’s voice cut through the fog of my mind. “If we bring her out under supervision… maybe she’ll talk. Or at least show us something. We’re getting nothing from her locked away in that dungeon.”

I met his steady gaze.

For a moment, silence stretched between us.

Then I rose to my feet.

“I’ll go get her.”

Kin finally lifted his eyes from the floor, alarm flashing across his face. “Cassian—”

I raised a hand to stop him. “You’ve done enough.”

He shut his mouth.

Without another word, I strode out of the room, each step echoing the resolve settling in my bones.

I would go down there myself and bring her out.

Since the moment she arrived, something had shifted—an invisible wheel beginning to turn.

Whatever it was, I was determined to uncover the truth.