As Elspeth got up to go and answer the door, James sat in utter silence, trying to get a hold on what had just happened. He wondered if he had overstepped some line, or if he had stumbled upon some sort of underlying secret to the witch.
However, this became the least of his concerns when, after Elspeth exited the room, Silas looked over at James and spoke in a very casual but very to the point tone of voice.
“It’s okay, lad. Trust me. I heard her tell ya she gave me the ability to talk when she found me as a wee kit, but that’s a load o’ nonsense. Used to be human meself some ten years ago. Ain’t all bad livin’ like this, though. Would have, an’ still will, turn you back eventually, assuming you don’t upset her again. As for me, well..... ah, les jus’ say that I said somethin’ I shouldn’t have. Some thin’ real foul and hurtful.”
James looked on at Silas in utter shock. He, too, had been human? Why had Elspeth lied about that? What else had she lied about? Was anything else in the house- living or not -a person she had transformed? Silas must have picked up on James’s panic, as he quickly reassured him.
“She ain’t evil, boy. Ain’t even bad. Just..... lonely. ‘side from people like whoever it is at the door now, that Elspeth..... she’s been through a lot. Doesn’t have anyone to keep her company besides me. Or you, now. Only keeps me around despite what I said because, well, I was family. Still am, just more cat features, y’know?”
James’s mind was whirling with questions after hearing all this. Who had Silas been? Why didn’t he resent Elspeth for turning him into a cat? Was she really as good as he was saying? Why was Elspeth so keen on turning him into a toad? Especially if she had seemingly bought him primarily for his body? Would Silas have told him this if he hadn’t lost his voice, and why had he so suddenly opened up to him despite distrusting him earlier?
This world of magic and witchcraft was quickly becoming one of mystery and intrigue. One James would have pondered upon further had Elspeth not come back into the kitchen with who it was at the door.