Page 187 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Stupid fuck,” Nektas bit out,thin traces of smoke following his words. “Such a stupid fuck.”

“That is,” Kyn hissed, “if anything is left of her.”

Ash laughed.

He laughed.

Then he was on Kyn, their bodies crashing together in a clapof thunder. Kyn’s fangs flashed as his head snapped down, aiming for Ash’sthroat.

Kyn was ages older than Ash, but Ash was enraged, and thatfury set the candles aflame again, the fire racing upward. He was possibly evenfurious enough to kill his second Primal as he jerked his head to the side,avoiding Kyn’s bite.

Gripping Kyn’s jaw, Ash forced his mouth open. “What did Ipromise you?”

“Fuck—”

“That’s not it.” Ash’s hand moved as quick as lightning.

Blood poured from Kyn’s mouth as Ash held something pink andlimp.

It was Kyn’s tongue.

His actual tongue.

Just as Ash had promised, he shoved it back into Kyn’sgaping mouth.

“Stop this.” Attes whirled towardme. “You have to stop this, Seraphena.”

I knew I should. No god had been Ascended to take Kyn’splace. Not only would killing Kyn kickstart a bloodbath, but it would alsodamage the mortal realm.

But I did nothing.

Rhain turned to me. “If Kyn falls here and not in battle, itwill send the exact opposite message you want to extend to the other Primals and gods.”

I knew that.

Kyn hadn’t done anything but run his mouth—not exactly agood reason to kill someone.

But still, I did nothing.

Ash’s arm jerked back and then thrust forward again. Theother Primal’s eyes went wide, and his body becamerigid as he let out a guttural scream, throwing his head back.

Ash flew up to the ceiling and yanked his arm back. Kyn’swings collapsed.

“Holy shit,” Thierran murmured,taking a drink of his wine.

Ash now held Kyn’s beating heart in his hand. The shadowsmoving through Ash’s flesh stilled, leaving silver streaks across Ash’s cheeksas his all-silver eyes locked with mine.

Ash bit into the heart, tearing through the muscle. Bloodspurted, running from the corners of his mouth. He lifted his head and thenspat the blood into Kyn’s face as his hand closed around the heart, crushingit.

Then he let go of Kyn.

I watched the Primal plummet to the floor. He hit a stonebench, cracking his back.

Thierran winced. “Ouch.”

A giggle crawled up my throat, but I squelched it as Attes closed his eyes, letting out a long breath. I wasn’tsure it was one of relief, even though his brother still lived since he stillhad a head. It was probably more a mixture of that and dread.

Ash lowered himself, landing between Attesand me. Nektas stepped out of his way and moved backas Ash’s wings evaporated.

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