Page 107 of The Primal of Blood and Bone (Blood and Ash #6)

“If I may?” Alaric spoke up as I resumed stroking Delano’s head when he bumped my hand. The Descenter continued at Casteel’s nod. “I think it would be wise to do what the Blood Crown never did. Tell them the truth about what the Ascended have done.”

“It wasn’t the Ascended,” I said.

Both Helenea’s and Alaric’s postures went rigid, and bitter distrust swiftly rose within them.

Reaver lifted his diamond-shaped head from where it rested between his forelegs, the sharpened tips of his horns along the top of his head nearly grazing the ceiling.

“Then who was responsible?” the brother demanded, a challenge clear in his voice. “If not—” Alaric stiffened even further as Reaver puffed out a breath, stirring the hair along the back of Alaric’s head. “If not for the Ascended?” he finished in a tone much more subdued.

I exhaled slowly. We had decided not to broach the subject of Kolis with mortals who had never heard of him. I hadn’t completely agreed with it, but it had made sense.

But that was yesterday before Kolis forced our hands with his actions in Stonehill.

Kieran looked at me and then Casteel as several pairs of eyes landed on us. Clearly, we needed to talk.

A thought occurred to me. We were Joined, were we not? Shouldn’t we be able to communicate at the same time together? I reached out through the notam , first finding Casteel’s pine-and-spice mark and then the woodsy, earthy one belonging to Kieran.

Can you both hear me?

Yes. Kieran answered first. Then, Casteel confirmed he could, as well. Kieran frowned. Are we all…?

I didn’t know if it would work, but apparently, it does, I said, aware of everyone watching us.

Except for Reaver. After likely frightening Alaric half to death, he’d lowered his head.

I agree that we shouldn’t start by telling the people of Solis a lie —one that could be exposed anytime if Kolis makes his presence known.

There is a chance they will never learn about Kolis , Kieran responded.

That would require us taking him out, and that’s kind of difficult when we can only assume he’s at Pensdurth , I reasoned, scratching Delano behind his ear. While risking Kolis imposing his will again .

She has a point , Casteel responded.

Kieran was quiet for a moment. There will be a lot of questions.

That’s okay. I slid a sidelong glance at him. You can answer any Helenea may have.

“Helenea?” Kieran spoke aloud, sitting straighter.

My eyes widened, and I slowly turned my head to Kieran while Casteel chuckled under his breath.

“Yes?” she asked.

Realizing that he’d responded out loud, the color in his cheeks deepened. He cleared his throat as Delano huffed out a laugh from between Cas and me. Kieran shot a glare in the wolven’s general direction. “I assume you agree with Alaric about telling the truth?”

Nice cover, I sent him, sarcasm dripping from the two words.

Kieran stared ahead. You are in so much trouble.

“Yes.” Her brows furrowed as she glanced at her brother. “Of course…” She trailed off, clearly waiting for Kieran to say more.

He had nothing else to say.

Deciding to save him, I leaned forward. “As someone who was raised in the Blood Crown’s lies, I also agree with the sentiment.

Which is why I’ve told you the truth. The Ascended are not responsible for this.

They’re not even capable of it. He is,” I said, unable to speak his name.

Doing so made me suddenly too aware of every inch of my body, and I hated that.

I pulled my hand from Delano’s head and gripped the arm of the chair.

I refused to be that affected by a god I’d never met. “Kolis.”

Alaric frowned as he glanced at his sister. “Who is Kolis?”

I ignored the way my skin felt too tight. “The true Primal of Death.”

Kieran had been right.

They had many questions.

Especially Helenea.

We’d answered what we could, which had led to explaining that Seraphena was the true Primal of Life.

I figured it was okay since the Fates hadn’t struck me down for speaking the truth.

I didn’t go into everything—that wouldn’t help anything.

But on Casteel’s advice, we stuck with the basics.

Who Kolis was. That the Blood Crown had freed him.

And that we believed he wanted to become the Primal of Life and Death and rule over the realms. By the time we finished, I’d learned a few things.

First, the generals had been filled in on Kolis but hadn’t been told the Seraphena part. Lizeth and Gayla were clearly pleased by the news. Sven seemed curious. Murin and Aylard? They were disturbed. I guessed it went back to the reason Aylard was behaving himself.

It had to do with what was between his legs instead of what was in his chest and head.

Whatever.

Secondly, Helenea believed what we’d shared. Alaric was a different story. He didn’t outright reject what we told them, but he had doubts, which was understandable. It sounded more made up than the lies the Blood Crown spewed.

“We need to discuss what is to be done about Kolis,” Sven stated the moment the mortals were ushered from the chamber.

“We know very little about him. For example, I hadn’t—at least not directly, I don’t think—heard of him,” he said.

From the corner of my eye, I saw Perry rub his temple.

“I do recall references to…Primal magic associated with true Death in some of the old journals, though.”

“The kind of magic that killed the draken,” I murmured. “Those old journals? And they’re located in Atlantia?”

“They are.” He tilted his head. “Are you inquiring about certain information?”

“I know how a Primal god can be killed,” I said. “But I don’t know a way to weaken them first. That is information we’ll likely need.”

Casteel’s brow furrowed, but he said nothing.

“Yes. Such information would be invaluable. I’m not sure if it exists, but…” A couple of moments passed. “When we searched the Shadow Temple, it was mostly empty.”

We waited for him to continue.

“But?” Perry leaned forward as far as he could without ending up on Reaver.

“There is a vault beneath. It appeared to be a hall of records.” He scratched his beard. “There could be something in there.”

“Can you check?” Excitement filled me. “After you’re done checking for gruls ?”

“I’ll go ahead and answer for my father,” Perry said. “He will never pass up a chance to sort through some dusty tomes.”

Sven chuckled. “I’ve always said that knowledge gained in books wields a stronger sword.”

Murin frowned as he silently repeated the statement to himself.

“I will need help,” Sven continued. “Particularly from someone who can read old Atlantian.”

“Do you have someone in mind?” I asked.

“He does,” Perry said. “Me.”

“Perry can assist,” Casteel permitted.

“Thank you,” Sven replied. “Hopefully, I can find something. But until then?”

“Let’s start with what we know or are at least close to confident we know,” Lizeth suggested.

“We suspect he’s in Pensdurth,” she said.

“We already have soldiers and a draken there. We’ll join them.

Take the city.” She cast a look around the table with a tight, almost feral smile. “And smoke the bastard out.”

“We don’t know what has occurred to the forces or the draken we sent there,” Gayla countered.

My hand fisted as I glanced at Casteel. His jaw was tight, but I picked up nothing from him. Meanwhile, I struggled to keep my concern from growing into full-blown anxiety.

“That’s even more reason to go,” Lizeth replied.

“I would think it would be more reason to be cautious.” Gayla countered.

“You would.” The wolven sat back, her glacial eyes glittering as they locked with equally hard golden ones.

“We have no idea what kind of state Kolis is in,” Kieran admitted, drawing both of their gazes.

“He could still be in a non-corporeal state. Or he could be like you and me. That is information we need and can learn from those who were at Pensdurth when they return,” he continued.

Tension crept into the muscles of my neck. “They should be back by tomorrow.”

“And if they can’t answer that question?” Sven asked.

“Then we go to Pensdurth,” Casteel stated.

Lizeth eyed Casteel, and then her gaze shifted to me. “And what do you think, Penellaphe?”

I forced my hands to unclench. “I think…” I swallowed, my throat dry. “I think waiting until we have all possible information is wise.”

Gayla started to smile.

“But I also believe waiting could mean we lose whatever advantage we may have if Kolis isn’t fully restored,” I continued.

“Which is a huge advantage. We’ve already seen what he’s capable of with his will alone—something we cannot prevent if he desires to exert it again.

Once he’s fully restored? It will be even harder to defeat him. ”

Kieran said nothing, but I could feel his wariness growing. Casteel, though? Nothing bled from him. Not even from his tone when he spoke.

“What are you thinking?” he asked, his lashes lowered, shielding his gaze.

“I think we…are approaching Kolis in the same manner we strategized against Isbeth and the Blood Crown,” I started, speaking what I should’ve said before.

“And how would you suggest we plan?” Aylard questioned, drawing Reaver’s attention.

Because, of course.

“As if we’re dealing with an unpredictable Primal of Death who has been entombed for over a millennium and, therefore, likely a little bit crazed,” I said, my gaze moving to his. “And able to kill dozens without even being in the city—including children.”

Aylard sat back, his hand trembling slightly against the table. “This Kolis seems to have little love for the Ascended since he’s willing to destroy them.”

“He’s willing to feed upon them to restore his strength,” I corrected. “That doesn’t mean he has no want or need of them otherwise.”

His shoulders tensed. “But, so far, he has not attacked any Atlantians or wolven. At least, as far as we know,” he stated, drawing Murin’s gaze.

Casteel’s head tilted. “And?”