“But as the Primal of Blood and Bone…” Kieran trailed off as a low rumble of warning came from Casteel. He sighed. “Not that it would happen, but Kolis would be—”
“Unstoppable,” I said. “He’s been a Primal since recorded time. He won’t need a…learning curve like me. But he cannot rule the mortal realm and benefit from it. He’s the true Primal of Death, bonded to a Court. His presence will affect the mortals and every living creature within the realm.”
Kieran frowned. “You’re right. Then what could he possibly want?”
My mind flashed to the prophecy. “Death and destruction,” I said, staring at the glass I held. “Kolis can capture souls, just as Nyktos can.”
“He could keep mortals and Atlantians—anything with a soul—in a state of limbo, trapped between life and death,” Casteelsaid, following my line of thinking. “So, it wouldn’t be like he has no one to rule over.”
And he wouldn’t even need to Ascend to accomplish that.
My hand fisted in my lap. “We need to find him and not wait for him to make the first move.”
“He’s already made the first move,” Casteel said, his voice cool. I felt the icy eather stir in him. “When he exerted his influence over you.”
The truth in that sliced through me as sharp as a dagger. Kolishadmade the first move, and while I knew little about war, I knew that meant he had the upper hand. Regaining control would be no easy feat.
“Poppy.”
Casteel’s voice drew me from my thoughts, and I looked up.
His hand closed over mine. “You should eat more.”
“He’s right,” Kieran chimed in. “You’ll need to eat more than usual. And as we discussed before, feed more.”
A smoky smile formed on Casteel’s full lips. “Something I am looking forward to.”
Muscles tightened low in my stomach as Kieran sat back with a sigh. “Thanks for sharing that,” he replied.
“I’m full,” I told them, even as Casteel reached for the bowl of fruit. “I really can’t…” I trailed off as the awareness of a draken crept over me. I glanced at the door.
Kieran followed my gaze to the door with a frown. My attention darted to Casteel. He, too, was eyeing the door.
“So, you can feel it?” I asked, curious. “That a draken is near?”
“Unfortunately,” Cas murmured.
I shot him an arch look as I concentrated on the faint hum of eather. The draken didn’t have unique imprints—marks—like the wolven. At least, not to me. And I’d never been able to knowwhich draken was approaching before I saw them. But now? There was a sense ofknowingthat told me who was coming.
Reaver.
“Can either of you tell who it is?” I asked.
Kieran shook his head and picked up a linen to wipe his hands. “But I can hazard a guess.” Tossing the linen onto the table, he looked over. “You?”
I smiled. “Yes.”
There was a slight curl to the corner of his lips. “You look incredibly…smug.”
At the sound of someone’s approach, Casteel set the bowl down. “It’s Reaver, isn’t it?”
I nodded.
“Great,” Kieran muttered, rising.
“I don’t know why you two have such an issue with him,” I said.
“Is that a serious question?” Casteel countered.
