Page 114 of Born of Blood and Ash

“You are a Fate!” Ash roared as twin arcs of shadowy eather exploded from his back. “You are not merely amessenger.”

Something akin to emotion flashed in the Ancient’sexpression, startling me. “No, I am what ensures that balance remains.”

Ash straightened, the skin of his throat turning the shadeof shadowstone. “Forcing her to go before the monsterwho held her against her will is how you ensure balance? Are you fuckingserious?”

“He’s serious.” My hands fisted until I felt my nailsdigging into my flesh. “But it’s still a good question, especially because I’mwilling to bet you know exactly what perversions he just spoke of.”

The corners of the Ancient’s mouth tightened, showing thefaintest crack in his demeanor. “I will ensure that balance remains by anymeans necessary.” Those variegated eyes shifted to mine. “That does not mean Ienjoy doing so.”

“Do you even know what it’s like to enjoy anything?” Iretorted.

“Does Holland?” the Ancient countered softly.

I snapped my mouth shut. How he said Holland’s name soundedan awful lot like a threat.

“You know what is at stake,” the Ancient reminded me.

I did.

Fuck.

The Ancient stiffened. “Speaking of thetemperamental creature…”

The office doors flung open, and Nektasentered, his long hair flowing behind him. His stare didn’t leave Ash or me ashe prowled past the Ancient, not paying the being any mind.

On the other hand, the Ancient stepped back.

“What is going on?” Nektas asked.

The question was directed at me because Ash… I glanced athim. He was locked onto the Ancient like he was about to do something veryunwise.

“Kolis summoned a Fate to broker a meeting between us,” Isaid. “And only us.”

Nektas’s nostrils flared as helooked at Ash. “Son of a bitch,” he muttered. The ridges across the bare fleshof his shoulders and chest were more pronounced than I’d ever seen them. “Andyou cannot change it?”

“No,” the Ancient answered. “The summoner sets the terms. Ifthey”—he indicated Ash and me—“had summoned an Arae first—”

“Don’t,” Nektas warned as hewhirled on the Ancient. “Do not turn this back on them, Aydun.”

The Ancient’s nostrils flared at his name and sent a rippleof surprise through me.

“They would not seek to waste your time as Kolis would,” Nektas said. “Which is exactly what will come of this.”

Ash’s low growl echoed through the chamber as the shadowssolidified behind him. “Nothing will come of this.”

“It doesn’t have to be a waste of time,” Aydun argued, hisattention shifting to me. “Do you yearn for war? I do not believe you do.”

I drew back. “Have you been listening in on us orsomething?”

“Do you?” he repeated.

“No.”

“Why?”

“There has to be a reason?” I shook my head. “I don’t wantinnocent people to die. Isn’t that good enough?”

“Almost.” The colors spun wildly around his pupils. “Thefuture exists in several threads—”

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