Page 146 of Born of Blood and Ash

Rhain wrote something down. “Whoever Aiosdetermines is fit to run the household should live on-site, and the option todo so should be offered to any of the staff.”

“Do you think it’s wise for us to start bringing in staffnow? All things considered?”

Rhain got what I was referencing without me having to sayit. “I think it’s time to start living free of Kolis’s shadow.”

I agreed with that sentiment, but we weren’t free. We werefar from it.

“I think we should bring in staff, as long as Nyktos is okay with it. But things,” I said,nodding at Reaver’s bowed head, “will need to be settled first before we allowanyone to live here.”

“Agreed.”

As Rhain reviewed how the staff would be paid, I watchedReaver scribbling away. We were making plans, which felt both amazing andterrifying. Even a bit risky. Like we might jinx ourselves.

“You’re not listening again.” Rhain sighed. “Look, I knowyou probably have a lot of stuff on your mind, and this feels like the lastthing you need to be considering right now—”

“I wouldn’t say it’s the last thing.” I tapped myfingers on the arms of the chair. “But yes, I do have a lot on my mind.”

A moment passed, and then he asked, “Do you want to talkthrough those things?”

I huffed out a dry laugh.

“It’s a genuine offer,” Rhain insisted. “And not an entirelyaltruistic one.”

“Really?” I drawled.

“Yes. Maybe you can focus if you get out whatever is on yourmind.” He paused. “Though I feel focusing isn’t one of your strong suits.”

I snorted.

With another heavy sigh, the tapping of his quill increased.Glancing over at him, our eyes met. We both quickly looked away. I rose fromthe chair. “That neat talent of yours? The telepathy? Do you always need tohave an item belonging to the person to do it?”

His brows squished together. “What made you even think ofthat?”

“I don’t know,” I said, lifting a shoulder. “It just poppedinto my head.”

He blinked slowly. “To answer your question, yes. I need atoken or to be in contact with them.”

I thought that over as my gaze swept along the bare shelves.“So, what token of Nyktos’s do you have that allowsyou to communicate with him?”

“What makes you think I have something of his?”

I shot him a knowing look.

Two pink splotches appeared in the center of his cheeks. “Icarry a medallion.”

Interest sparked. “Can I see it?”

One more heavy, ground-shaking sigh left him as he reachedinto the breast pocket of his tunic. Opening his fingers, he held a smallsilver disc. A wolf’s head had been carved into the metal. The detail wasintricate, down to the tufts of fur.

“It’s beautiful. Who made…?” I trailed off, lifting my gazeto his. The skin beneath my ear tingled. “You did.”

Rhain’s eyes widened.

I straightened. “You…you also made the box Ash keeps on hisbedside table.”

“How did you know that?” he demanded, then cursed.

“Foresight,” Reaver said what Rhain had likely surmised.

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