Page 212

Oh, cute. They were…sharing food.

“It’s something no one but the Arae should possess.” Keella eyed the bundle I held. “Or should’ve ever created.”

“I can agree with that.”

“But if they hadn’t, then you would not be standing here with him.” Keella stopped in front of me. “There is always good in the bad.” Her gaze met mine, and the intensity of her stare made me squirm. “I understood then, just as I do now.”

I sucked in a short breath, knowing she was speaking of the last time we’d seen each other.

“Understand what?” Ash asked.

“That there is often good behind the bad,” she said. “Are you sure of what you saw in the diamond?”

Grateful for the subject change, I nodded as I glanced at Ash. I didn’t know if he wanted anyone else here to know.

Ash’s gaze held mine, then flicked to the others before returning to the diamond. “It’s my father’s soul. It’s in there.”

Bele’s mouth dropped open.

“Are you…?” Rhain had paled. He came forward, stopping several feet from us to stare at what I held.

“I am certain.” I carefully unwrapped the diamond, letting the flimsy torn silk drift to the floor.

The milky-white light throbbed inside The Star, pressing against its edges.

“Attes told you about Sotoria?” When Keella nodded, I could practically feel the questions bursting to break free of Bele, but she remained quiet.

“It’s doable, then?” Ash’s chest rose with a heavy breath. “Once my father’s soul is free?”

“Yes.”

“And you know how that is done?” he asked. “Will I be able to do it?”

“I do not imagine it’s like drawing out other souls,” she said, her delicate brows knitting. “If it works like transferring the embers, then the soul could likely only be summoned by the one who placed it there.”

Attes cursed, having left Lailah’s side. “That’s not going to happen.”

“There have to be other ways.”

The breeze tossed a few strands of her russet-colored hair across her jaw. “The Arae could draw the soul free.”

What had Ash claimed in the dream? “You said I could summon them, right?”

Before Ash could answer me, Keella said, “Yes, but they would likely take The Star back.”

Damn it.

“That won’t work either.” Frustration filled Attes’s tone.

“There is one more way,” Keella said. “The true Primal of Life can summon it.”

Of course.

“Absolutely not,” Ash stated.

A tremor went through my arm. “How?”

Ash stepped into me. “Sera—”