We’d be hearing from Kolis soon.
My lips pressed into a thin line as Kieran frowned. “That’s all?”
“That’s it,” Valyn confirmed. “Then he disappeared from the Rise, and we left without further incident.”
“His message sounds more like a threat to me,” Casteel noted, his finger tapping off the side of his glass.
He was right.
“That puts us at a serious disadvantage,” Sven said, lifting his glass as he glanced at Emil. “And I know that’s obvious, but I felt it needed to be stated.”
Murin looked so pale I thought he might pass out as Emil navigated Reaver’s tail. “We have one god—”
“You have three Primal gods,” I interrupted, leaving out theDeminyenpart.
Valyn’s head swung in Casteel’s direction.
“And I think that evens out the playing field,” I finished.
“You really think that?” Gayla asked, no challenge in her voice.
“Were you in Lowertown when the ceeren attacked?” When she nodded, Casteel smiled tightly. “Then you know what your Queen is capable of.”
“A god perished in Lowertown,” Aylard graciously reminded those within the sandstone walls.
“A godsacrificedhimself for the realms,” I fired back. “And his name was Rhahar.”
“Fuck,” Valyn muttered, dragging a hand over his face. “Malik told me what happened in Lowertown, but I didn’t know it was Rhahar.” He lowered his hand and looked toward Casteel. “So, what does this mean for you?” He jerked his chin at Kieran. “And Kieran, I assume?”
Casteel smiled as he let the essence rise to the surface. There were several curses and gasps when the shadows made an appearance.
Malik sat up and leaned away. “Gods, fucking unnecessary,” he muttered.
Valyn simply stared, the paperweight nearly falling from his grasp. “That’s…unexpected.”
Smirking, Casteel turned his stare on Aylard. The Elemental quickly found the wall across from him very interesting.
“Wait.” Vonetta twisted toward her brother. “Are you telling me you can do that?”
“I got the other side of Poppy’s abilities.” His brows rose as he took a drink. “And no, I’m not into show-and-tell like Cas.”
For a moment, I thought Vonetta might punch her brother.
The eather within me suddenly rose, responding to the more intense pulse in Casteel. Kieran felt it, too. We both looked at him.
His jaw flexed as he attempted to calm the essence in him.
“Does Kolis know about you two?” Valyn asked.
“I don’t believe so,” Casteel said.
Eyeing his glass, Valyn nodded. “Then thatisan advantage.”
“It’s not our only advantage,” I shared. “Another Primal god will be arriving soon. An old one.” I glanced at Valyn as I drew my lip between my teeth. “A god of war.”
Valyn’s knuckles had bleached white from how tightly he held the paperweight. One quick glance at Casteel and his brother revealed that both had noticed it.
“A Primal God of War?” Sven questioned. “Theon? Lailah?”
