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“And that was it?”

Tawny nodded. “Yeah.”

I had no doubt in my mind that she spoke the truth about what she’d seen, but as she floated away, I thought maybe that wasn’t all. “Why didn’t you tell me this before?”

“I don’t know. I haven’t told anyone.” She spun in the water. “It’s not that I thought you’d think I was out of my mind or something.”

“Well…” I teased.

She laughed. “It’s just that I really don’t know what I saw.”

“It sounds like you do.” I glanced around the lake, thinking of the weird feeling I’d had. “Maybe there is something to what Ian said about the woods.”

“You think—?”

The branches of one of the trees rattled loudly above us, jerking our heads back to peer up. Something large was up there. On reflex, my hand went to my thigh, but then I remembered I’d left my dagger with the cloak. Damn it. Several limbs shook again, this time hard enough to send leaves falling.

“My gods,” Tawny whispered as a bird took flight.

A huge bird with a silvery-white body and wings. Stunned silent, we watched it circle overhead. The bird’s wingspan had to be four feet or more. It must have been some sort of hawk or maybe an eagle, but I knew of none that size—at least not in these parts of Solis.

My heart thrummed as the bird silently moved out of view, disappearing over the Grove. I slowly lowered my chin and looked over at Tawny.

“I would like to change my earlier statement about the spirits of bunnies being the scariest,” she began. “A spirit of that thing would be.”

I laughed as I turned my gaze back to the sky. There was no hint of the silver hawk—at least I thought it was a hawk—and I couldn’t help but feel like Tawny had upon seeing that spirit in the castle. I had that distinct feeling of not knowing what I saw but knowing I’d definitely seen something.

NAILL LA’CROX

Click here to see a full-size image of Naill by Jemlin C.

Another core part of Poppy and Cas’s group, like Emil, Naill shows up nearly everywhere the Elemental Atlantian does in my visions and research.

Hair: Dark, close-cropped.

Eyes: Dark gold.

Body type: Tall.

Facial features: Rich, dark skin. High, sharp cheekbones. Striking smile.

Personality: Quiet and obedient.

Habits/Mannerisms/Strengths/Weaknesses: Rather skilled with a needle and thread. Seems to appear out of nowhere at times. Incredibly fast.

Background: Elemental Atlantian. Like Emil, has helped Casteel remember who he is and that he’s not a thing in the past when feelings grabbed him. Has known him longer than anyone but Kieran and the Contous.

Family: Father runs the mills that create electricity; he keeps the ancient wheels working.

NAILL’S JOURNEY TO DATE:

During the trip to the capital, when the guards are killed in the stables, and Poppy is placed in a cell for her safety—and their peace of mind—Naill goes with Delano to remove her and take her to more comfortable quarters. He immediately goes on alert when Jericho arrives in the dungeon. Six others come up behind him, and Naill tells them they’re all being incredibly foolish. When Mr. Tulis spews his vitriol, Naill reminds him that the Maiden didn’t take his son; the Ascended did. A fight inevitably breaks out, and Naill rips out a Descenter’s throat. Eventually, he gets knocked out.

When Poppy greets Alastir, Naill is lumped into the group the elder wolven says aren’t very well-mannered—I actually think Naill is incredibly polite. As Cas relays the story of how he didn’t plan the proposal and subsequently how Poppy said no at first, Naill fearlessly chimes in that she also told the Prince he was out of his mind and several other things.

Right after Cas and Poppy discuss the Empath line and almost kiss, Naill interrupts with news that the Ascended are coming from the western roads. When the vamprys enter the yard, Casteel tells Naill to be smart, and the Atlantian takes off.

Following the Ascended attack, he goes to scout the western roads to make sure they’re clear so they can leave as soon as possible. As they’re riding for Atlantia, he witnesses Poppy hitting Cas. When Casteel shrugs it off, Naill remarks that it didn’t look like a love tap to him.