Silas's question left the hallway quiet.
"Am I leaving?"
Lunea moved first, lowering herself slightly so she would not tower over him. "Not like that, Silas. No one is throwing you away."
Silas held the blanket tighter around his shoulders.
Trafalgar watched the boy for a moment before speaking. "We are trying to find a place where you can be safer."
Silas looked at him. "With him?"
His small eyes moved toward Arthur.
Arthur answered before anyone else could.
"Only if you want to know more first. No one is taking you anywhere today without asking you."
That seemed to help, though not completely.
Alena, who had remained quiet until now, turned toward Trafalgar with a controlled expression.
"Trafalgar, may I speak with you privately?"
Trafalgar nodded.
Cynthia glanced at him, clearly wanting to ask something, but the look on Trafalgar's face stopped her. Lunea understood the same thing and guided Silas gently toward the room where Arthur was waiting.
