“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 Ishouldn’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—”
