My breath snagged as Casteel’s nostrils flared with a burst of anger. “Only mortals live in Stonehill,” he said. “The Ascended had better be where they are supposed to be.”
“They remain on house arrest. But even if they moved about freely, given what Naill described, they would not be capable of…this.”
“Capable of what, exactly?” I asked as Delano leaned into my legs.
“I don’t know,” Emil said breathlessly, and I felt it rise again in him. That thick, choking unease. It was like the taunting, grinning Emil had never stood in his place. “But the way Naill looked? I’ve never seen him like that.”
Concern rose. “Where is he now?”
“He returned to Stonehill. I tried to get him to stay back, but he was…” Emil shook his head and faced Casteel. “You know we’ve all seen some shit, Cas.”
Casteel must’ve picked up on what I had because he stepped forward, this time to clasp Emil’s shoulder. And, yeah, that was odd to see after he’d just broken the Elemental’s fingers. “I know,” he said, his voice low.
“But Naill…” Emil closed his eyes. “Whatever went down there? Whatever he saw?” His chest rose with a deep breath. “It’s bad.”
CHAPTER 25
CASTEEL
The moment Poppy entered the stables behind me, Setti started trotting in place like he was on display, swishing his tail and letting out a whinny that sounded a little too excited.
“I think you’re happier to see her than me,” I remarked as I approached his side. “We should’ve shadowstepped.”
The horse turned his head from me like the ass he was. I’d wanted to shadowstep. Kieran and the others had agreed to meet us there, but Poppy had insisted on riding. And what the Queen wanted, the Queen got.
Including going to Stonehill.
Normally, I wouldn’t have had a problem with her wanting to see what was happening firsthand, but considering she only just completed her Ascension, she was vulnerable. And she knew it.
ButIknew that if I argued with her to stay back, she would just shadowstep her sweet ass to Stonehill herself.
Setti nickered and lowered his head as Poppy approached.
“Traitor,” I muttered as Kieran led the horse out of the next stall and swung onto its back.
Checking the bridle, I glanced over at Poppy. Her steps were slow, her gaze fixed solely on Setti. I tensed, my grip tightening on the reins. The stallion towered over her, and…something odd was happening. Setti had never lashed out at Poppy before, but I couldn’t be too careful when it came to her.
My brows lowered as I watched her slowly lift her hand, the lemony taste of her curiosity gathering in my throat. She looked up at Setti as if she’d never seen him before.
Kieran watched, his mind linking with mine.What’s going on?
No idea.
Setti nibbled at Poppy’s fingers, bringing a small grin to her lips. He nuzzled her hand, his tail swaying as she tilted her head.
“How did no one notice?” she murmured, sliding her hand up his cheek.
My curiosity rose then. I stepped toward them. “Poppy?”
Blinking, she drew her gaze to mine.
“How did you know his name was Setti?”
I had to think about that for a moment. “One of the stewards watching over Elian’s estate told me.” I glanced at Kieran as Delano peered around the corner of the stall, his ears twitching. “Does that sound about right?”
He was watching Poppy. “From what I remember it does.”
“Setti’s been keeping secrets,” she said.
