“It was likely something that came about after my time,” he answered. “I only woke briefly from stasis once before.”
As Kieran gave the Primal a quick rundown of what a Joining was, I stared at the door. I wanted to check on Poppy, but considering what’d happened the last time I returned, I riskedwaking her before discovering exactly how this Primal could help.
Ifhe could.
“That could’ve done it,” the Primal said when Kieran finished.
My head jerked toward him. “Done what?”
“When a Primal or god enters stasis for any reason, they are already vulnerable, both physically and mentally. What he told me sounds a lot like the binding that was once done between the draken and the Primals to strengthen both.” He described what sounded exactly like what was done between the Elemental Atlantians and the wolven. “No fusion of life forces, be it through blood or magic, is a one-way street. If one of you is wounded severely enough, she will weaken.”
My stomach churned as his words sank in, confirming what I already knew.
Kieran moved closer, his voice low. “It’s not your fault.”
“I didn’t say it was.” The Primal frowned.
“Casteel,” Kieran said.
I focused on the Primal, making sure my shields were in place. “So, that’s how he got to her?”
The Primal’s head tilted. “Her growing weaker could’ve given Kolis the upper hand, but he’s…” He shifted the strap on his shoulder, and unease settled in my gut. He shook his head. “There are different ways he could’ve gotten in.”
Kieran’s lips pursed as he dragged his hand over his head. “And what are those ways?”
Attes was quiet, his jaw flexing. Again, I was struck by the feeling there was something he wasn’t sharing. It was the same damn feeling I’d had when I asked Reaver what Kolis wanted from Poppy.
“Is there something you want to tell us?” I asked, my hands twitching at my sides.
His gaze slid to mine. “There is nothing Iwantto say that I haven’t already.”
Yet again, the way he said that…
“Could the Revenant have allowed him to get to her?” Kieran’s head lifted. “You never said if he could’ve been responsible.”
“I know of no magic possessed by a Revenant that could make someone act as a conduit,” Attes said. “But I’ve only been awake for a short time during the age of Kolis’s entombment. So,couldsuch magic exist? Yes.” A thoughtful look crossed his features. “Perhaps Penellaphe knows of something.”
“Kolis can appear as a shadow. So, he could’ve gotten to her at any time. It would’ve taken just a blink of an eye, and we wouldn’t have noticed,” I seethed.
Kieran let out a low breath. “You’re right.”
I was, and my patience was rapidly wearing thin. “Can you help her?”
Attes stood still and quiet by the door for a few seconds. “I can try.”
“Try?” I whispered. “That’s not good enough.”
His chin lifted, and tension bracketed his mouth. “I only know of something like this happening once,” he ground out. “And severing that connection killed the possessed.”
Severing the connection killed…
My breath became shallow, and my body went rigid.
“What?” Kieran exclaimed.
Fear rose, insidious and suffocating. I reacted the way I had before.
Recklessly.
