“True.” Casteel took a drink. “But any movement would be seen from Whitebridge—which gives access to both New Haven and Three Rivers, as well as the Western Pass, while New Haven has the mountains to the east and the Blood Forest to the west.”
“And Whitebridge south,” I murmured, my thoughts moving to the vulnerability of Oak Ambler. “An army, not a large one, could move through the northernmost territory of the Blood Forest and enter Oak Ambler the way we left it. It’s risky, but neither Whitebridge nor New Haven have eyes there.”
“We sent word to Cyr advising just that.” Kieran cast a pointed look at my plate, and with a roll of my eyes, I lifted a forkful of rice. “They are prepared.”
“My opinion is that we send Murin back to Whitebridge and have La’Sere take a portion of her forces to Oak Ambler to support Cyr.” Casteel set the bowl down. “The rest should remain here.”
I stopped myself from asking if it was necessary for General Aylard to remain. What Casteel said made sense. It was logical and gave us the best chance to protect what we’d gained. So, why didn’t it sit right with me? Why did I feel like we were going about it all wrong?
“I agree. I also think we should keep the fifty thousand in Padonia. As far as we know, our numbers there aren’t known.” Kieran turned to me. “What do you think?”
Some would think my opinion irrelevant since it was two against one, but I knew that wasn’t the case with them. If I disagreed, they would listen. So, I thought it over and came to the same conclusion. Their plans made sense. Yet, that vague feeling of unease still gnawed at me. So, I thought it all over again. Still, nothing but a…feelingexplained my hesitancy.
But I couldn’t make such important decisions on a feeling that neither I nor thevadentiacould explain. “I agree,” I said.
Casteel’s gaze slid to Kieran, and he nodded as I took a slow sip of mulled wine, hoping it would wash away the lingering doubt and nagging fear that we were approaching this wrong. Strategizing as if we were going up against mortals or even the Ascended, who shared the same outcome as we did. Survival. The vamprys could not survive without mortals, which made them fallible and…reasonable.
Kolis on the other hand?
Thevadentiawas silent, but some deeper instinct nagged at me—one I understood even less than the Primal foresight. It warned me that Kolis would be anythingbutreasonable.
CHAPTER 20
POPPY
“We need to talk about the Ascended,” Kieran announced as I set my concerns aside and refocused. “And what is to be done with them.”
For a brief moment, I was pleased with the change of subject, but it didn’t last long. To be honest, discussing the Ascended felt more difficult than talking about war plans.
Because I knew what had to be done.
Casteel watched me as I took a drink of the sweet wine that suddenly tasted sour. “They have to be dealt with.”
I set my glass down and took a breath. “What of the ones who had no stockpiles of blood? We don’t know why that is.”
“We don’t,” Kieran said. “And that’s on us. We should’ve looked into it. But, Poppy, they likely just ran out.”
“I’ve seen many Ascended in bloodlust brought on by not feeding. They turn Craven.” Casteel’s fingers tapped his glass. “I’ve never come across an Ascended who didn’t feed—couldn’t—and retained any semblance of sanity.”
And he would know. He’d seen it happen while Isbeth held him captive the first time.
I asked myself again if the Ascended could go without blood, but thevadentiawas still silent.
What I did know was that no one had ever spoken of Ascended who lived without blood and did not turn Craven.
Still, a heaviness settled on my chest. I knew what had to be done, but that didn’t change the fact that…killing every single Ascended didn’t sit right with me.
And, gods, wasn’t that absurd?
Because if Isbeth had harmed Casteel? My gaze fell on the hand she’d taken the finger from. If she had harmed himmorethan she already had? If she had killed him? I would’ve destroyed every Ascended and not thought twice about it. So, what was the difference now? Was the essence of life rebelling against the idea of so much death? And itwasdeath because, despite what anyone—including me—thought of the Ascended, they still lived.
Casteel laid his hand on my arm. “I know there’s a lot going on in your head. Talk to us.”
“I’m…I don’t know how I ended up being the one making these decisions,” I said. “I’m not prepared for this.”
“I don’t think many who find themselves in your position are ever truly prepared, despite the training they may have had,” Kieran said, sounding wise as usual.
I dragged my foot against the stone floor and forced myself to stay seated instead of moving about.
