Page 153 of The Primal of Blood and Bone (Blood and Ash #6)

“I wish I could answer that.” Malik’s brows knitted.

“Most don’t know it’s even a choice. Isbeth and Jalara kept a much tighter rein on the Ascended population before things started kicking off.

And it wasn’t easy for any Descenters to get close to them.

So, those who refused to live the way of the Blood Crown were executed, and others were incentivized to report those they suspected of being blasphemous. ”

I nodded, exhaling slowly as my gaze drifted to the door behind him. “Ian… He was Unbound?” I asked, needing to hear it confirmed.

“He was.” Malik waited until my attention returned to him. “And Millie introduced him to the Unbound way of life.” He paused. “And taught the Ascended there was another way to live.”

My breath burned even more fiercely in my lungs, stinging my eyes as a mix of relief, gratitude, and sorrow—so much damn sorrow—swelled within me. Rapidly blinking to keep the tears at bay, I turned away and started down the steps.

Casteel snagged me around the waist and descended a step. He pulled me to his side and clasped the back of my head. Dipping his chin, he kissed my forehead. A shudder went through me. I wasn’t sure if the tears I fought were happy or sad—perhaps both.

“How did she learn?” Delano asked as I pressed my cheek against Casteel’s chest and looked up at his brother and Helenea.

“Revenants need to feed.” Malik’s jaw tightened. “And it’s…messier for them since they don’t have the necessary hardware.”

Fangs.

“The golden fuckboy looked like he had some sharp teeth in that mouth of his,” Casteel noted.

“They have slightly sharpened canines, which are good for tearing skin but not piercing it,” Malik explained.

I winced. “Millicent doesn’t feed on mortal blood, then?”

Something passed through Malik’s eyes before he nodded. I didn’t know what it was. His walls were up and firmly in place, but I had a feeling it was more complicated than a simple yes or no.

“You didn’t give them an answer,” Malik said after a moment.

“About whether or not you would offer them the same thing you extended to those in Oak Ambler. And for that, I’m glad.

I want you to think about it. Talk to Kieran and think it over instead of making a rash decision.

” He blew out a breath and unfolded his arms. “It won’t be easy if you decide to give the Ascended a choice—those who deserve it.

” He walked down the steps, brushing past us until he stopped in the driveway and faced us.

“I can’t promise there won’t be failures.

But you will be granting many a chance to live again. ”

Tamping down the mess of emotions threatening to rise, I lifted my head. “We will discuss this.”

Malik nodded and then, without another word, returned to his horse. He didn’t ride off, though. He was still waiting for us.

After we said goodbye to Helenea, Casteel slid his hand off my back and took mine. I liked Helenea. A lot. Casteel led me to Setti as my gaze lingered on the home’s doors.

“You want to go back in,” Casteel said. “Don’t you?”

“I want to run back in there and ask Heath to tell me everything he knows about Ian. So badly.”

He faced me. “You can.”

“I can, but I shouldn’t .” I sighed and looked up at him. “Not right now. We need to discuss this with Kieran. But first…” I paused. “First, we have a Lord and Lady to visit.”

CASTEEL

The ride to the Hawley residence was quiet. I knew Poppy was lost in thoughts about Ian and Millicent. I knew she was probably also making room for thoughts of the Unbound and what it could mean for the Ascended. I was quiet because I didn’t know what the fuck to think about the Unbound.

It still seemed impossible, but the idea of giving those who still fed on mortal or Atlantian blood a choice made my skin crawl—whether or not they knew it was a possibility.

I was sure Poppy thought this could be a new beginning for the Ascended. Meanwhile, I saw it as a gigantic risk and pain in the ass we didn’t need or have time to deal with.

But…it couldn’t be ignored.

Arriving at the Hawley residence provided a distraction. We followed Malik and the wolven guard stationed at the home into the sprawling mansion and through a grand, windowless atrium.

“Good gods,” Delano muttered, staring at the lavish furniture scattered about.

“You haven’t seen anything yet,” the wolven, Dain, replied as he opened a side door in a sitting chamber that had clearly been enjoyed the night before. Used glasses sat on end tables next to dried-out pastries and slightly hardened cheese on gold platters.

When we reached the narrow hall, I turned to Dain and took the key from him. “Your presence here is no longer required.”

“Thank fuck,” he muttered and then blushed when Poppy arched a brow. “My apologies, meyaah—”

“No need,” she replied. “I’m sure the Hawleys have been a fucking joy to deal with.”

Dain’s lips twitched and then spread into an uneven grin. “They have been…an experience I long to forget.” He bowed his head. “I will check in with General Damron to see where I am needed.”

As the wolven headed back upstairs, I turned to Malik. “Is there anything we need to know before we head in there?

“They’re going to piss you off.”

“Great.” Unlocking the heavy iron door, I yanked it open. Instantly, the overpowering smell of musk slammed into us.

What is that? Poppy asked through the link.

My lip curled at the thick scent that seemed to cling to the walls. Something you’ll probably not want to know about.

There was a pause. Is it…sex?

Dirty sex. And not the fun type.

“Ew,” Poppy murmured.

“ Ew is an understatement,” Delano remarked from behind her.

The floors under my muddy boots were made of cold, slick, black marble.

Crimson velvet drapes hung from the ceiling, fringed with gold that glittered under the oversized chandelier, dripping with actual diamonds and rubies.

But the limestone statues were a testament to what happened when one had more money than taste.

Some of the sculptures had been depicted as eating.

Others drank from a red chalice. At least two appeared to be having sex. All were nude and incredibly detailed.

“Who eats grapes like that while naked?” Poppy whispered, staring at a statue with grapes dangling above her open mouth.

“You don’t?” Malik drawled.

My head snapped in his direction, and a low, warning growl rumbled from my chest.

“Relax.” My brother chuckled. “It’s just an innocent question.”

“Perhaps it would’ve been if you hadn’t been groomed to wed my wife,” I snarled.

Poppy sighed.

Malik didn’t say anything, but the fucking smirk on his face said he found my response highly amusing. I wondered if he’d feel the same when I ripped his tongue out.

Sending him one last look of warning, I headed down the hall. The air got warmer. The drawing room was just as gaudy. Diamond-encrusted lampshades, gold-plated furniture with long-since-extinct animal prints, more naked statues, gilded—

“Why in the actual fuck are there so many mirrors?” Delano muttered.

“They enjoy looking at themselves,” Malik replied, his eyes narrowing on the hallway at the far end of the chamber where a sound like a dying cat echoed through the air.

Poppy stopped beside me, her lips pursed. “Well, now we know why they haven’t heard—”

My brows rose as a sigh so exaggerated it could’ve powered a mill for a year followed.

“Should we let them finish?” she asked.

I looked at her. “Why would we—?”

“Yes! Yes!” who I assumed was Lady Hawley screamed. “Fill me up!”

“Oh, my gods,” Poppy whispered, her cheeks flaming.

A groan, much like a large beast’s mating call, interrupted her.

“I think they’re finished.” Malik leaned against a granite fireplace. “Hopefully.”

For fuck’s sake.

I followed the sounds of panting to a set of double doors with what appeared to be a very…diverse orgy carved into it. Wood cracked and splintered as I planted my boot in the center of it, breaking the lock as I kicked it open.

A pale-haired woman twisted at the waist, her dark eyes glinting in the low light. Who I assumed was Lord Hawley was still beneath her as blood-red lips peeled back in a hiss, revealing slightly elongated canines.

“You sound like a strangled barrat when you come,” I said. “That is if you weren’t faking it.”

“Who the fuck are you?” Lady Hawley snarled.

“Your worst nightmare.” I paused. “Clichéd, but true.”

“How dare you?” Lord Hawley huffed from beneath his wife.

“Because I can.”

The Lord sputtered as he gripped his half-dressed wife’s hips and lifted—well, more like tossed—her aside. She landed with a shriek and bounced, nearly tumbling off the bed.

Lord Hawley jerked upright, his pale chest looking like he’d gotten into a fight with a feral cat and lost. “I don’t know who you think you are, but you will not speak to me like that. I will have your tongue, you filthy—”

“He will speak to you however he pleases.” Poppy’s voice was like a scorching wind, silencing him as both Ascended’s gazes darted behind me. “Get out of that bed before I drag you both from it.”

“You have five seconds.” I took a step back. “And you’d better use one of them to put your dick away.”

“And your breasts,” Poppy added before pivoting on her heel.

They scrambled from the bed, the Lady tugging the front of her dressing gown together.

I wasn’t sure why she bothered when the white fabric was little more than gauze.

I didn’t take my eyes off them as the Lord fumbled with his breeches.

Still having no idea who I was with my features hidden, the Lady breezed by me with a flick of her tangled blond hair.

Lord Hawley sniffed as he passed as if smelling something rotten.

I rolled my eyes and followed the male out to the drawing chamber.