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Tension bunched the muscles along his shoulders. “I don’t know why Ires took her. She was young when we went to sleep. And when she was awakened, she would’ve been untested. It wouldn’t have been safe for her.”

I felt the strange urge to defend a man I didn’t know. “Maybe he didn’t think it would be dangerous.”

Reaver huffed, and I swore I saw faint wisps of smoke coming from his mouth. “I think…I think he knew something had happened to his brother and went to look for him. Malec was lost to us long before we realized,” he said, his words similar to what Nektas had told me. “But Malec was Ires’s twin. So alike as children, you couldn’t tell them apart. As they grew older, their differences became clear,” he said, his rough, unused voice turning distant. “Ires was cautious and thoughtful in everything, while Malec was reckless and didn’t often stop to think of what he’d done until afterward. Ires was content in Iliseeum, but Malec had grown restless, visiting the mortal world as the deities slowly built Atlantia. Because both he and Ires were in born this realm, he could come, but that was not without its limitations. The longer he stayed, the more his power lessened. Still, he chose to stay, even knowing what he would have to do to stay strong.”

That lessening of his power must explain why no Primal notam existed between Malec and all the wolven like they had with me. “How did he stay strong?”

“He had to feed, Liessa.” One eyebrow rose as Reaver looked down at me. “He had to feed often. Any blood would do for a god or a Primal, whether it be mortal, Atlantian, or another god.” A pause. “Wolven. Anything but a draken. You cannot feed from a draken.”

Surprise rolled through Delano and me. Atlantians could feed off mortals, but it did nothing for them. Apparently, however, the world was one giant buffet when it came to gods and Primals. However, this piece of news meant…

I had to feed.

“Do you…?” I swallowed hard. “Do you know how often?”

“Probably not as often as Malec once you come into your power. Unless injured. But until then, you will need to ensure you do not weaken.”

“Wait. I’ve Ascended—”

“Yes, I know that. Thanks for pointing it out,” he interrupted, and my eyes narrowed. “But you haven’t finished your Culling.”

Delano’s head cocked, and it felt like my brain did the same.

My abilities had begun to change over the last year, as I became of age to enter the Culling. Before that, I had only been able to feel—taste—the pain of others. But that had grown, allowing me to read all emotions. My ability to ease pain had also changed to one that could heal injuries. But after…he had saved me by giving me his blood—thus Ascending me—I had been able to bring the young girl back to life. So, I’d thought the Culling had run its course. “How do you know?”

“Because I would feel it,” he said, as if that explained everything.

It really explained nothing, not even touching on why I was different than Malec. But those questions were lost in the realization that I would have to feed. I hadn’t felt the need yet. I didn’t even know what to think about what would happen if I had to do it before I freed…him. That was yet another thing I didn’t want to stress about.

Delano nudged my limp hand with the side of his face. I reached over, gently petting the back of his neck. I wished my hands weren’t gloved so I could feel his fur. I knew that his coat was thicker and softer than even Kieran’s.

“Why can’t I feed from a draken?” I asked and then wondered if that was a rude question.

“Because it would burn the insides out of most. Even Primals.”

Oh.

All right, then.

I shook that disturbing image from my mind. “What exactly would weaken a god? Besides being injured?”

Reaver’s head tilted once again. “You do not know much about yourself, do you?”

My lips pursed. “Well, this whole god thing is relatively new, and, you know, there aren’t any gods standing around ready to educate me. Nor are there any texts I can simply read.”

He made a harrumphing sound as if those weren’t good enough reasons. “Most injuries would only weaken you unless they were serious. Then you will weaken more quickly. Using the essence of the gods can, over time, also weaken you if you haven’t completed the Culling. Which, as I said, you have not.”

Delano’s ears flattened. That’s not ideal.

No, it wasn’t. Using the eather meant that I could fight like a god, but if it weakened me… My stomach dipped. “I didn’t know that.”

“I’m shocked to hear that.”

Even Kieran would’ve been impressed by the level of sarcasm in Reaver’s voice. “How will I know when the Culling is complete?”