Page 193 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Celastite,” she said.

Ash frowned as he glanced at me. I had no idea what thatwas. My vadentia was silent as atomb, which could only mean… Excitement sparked. My intuition wasn’t working,so it had to be something.

“It’s a naturally occurring mineral that can be found wherethe Ancients first slept and matured,” Keellaexplained, and I knew she was speaking of where the Ancients had first fallenas stars. “There are many places, but they are all in the mortal realm.”

“Really?”

She nodded. “There are at least a dozen entombed in themortal realm that I can remember.”

That such a powerful being could’ve been beneath Wayfair orsome other place I’d been was unsettling.

Then the other thing she said struck me. At least a dozen?Good gods. I reached out and picked up a piece of sliced cheese.

Ash leaned forward. “So, these places where the Ancients areentombed must contain some kind of impact area.”

She nodded. “Over the years, they became undergroundcaverns. Recognizing one as such wouldn’t be hard. You see, the celastite is oddly colored. It carries a burnt-red sheen.”

Nibbling on the cheese, I nearly choked. “A burnt-redsheen?”

“Yes. The mineral often looks damp, as if it is weeping.”

Ash eyed me. “Have you seen something like that?”

“I haven’t seen it, but I do know of at least one place,” Isaid. “In Oak Ambler.” I twisted toward Ash. “It’s near Massene—aport city.” I stiffened. “I have heard of there being caves along the bluffs,and that Castle Red Rock was built from the stone mined from that area.”

“Well, I guess we know where the castle got its name.” Ashmet my stare, and I knew what he was thinking. That we may have found alocation. “What if an Ancient has already been entombed there?”

“You would feel it if they are there,” Keellasaid. “It would bring upon a great sense of unease that even mortals would pickup on.”

“That’s good to know,” Ash murmured.

“If you do get curious about these locations,” Keella said, tilting her head, “I suggest you don’t spendtoo long exploring them. They can weaken you. Just being inside one and nearthe celastite can affect you.”

“We’ll keep that in mind,” Ash said. “Thank you.”

Keella’s smile was knowing. “Wasthere something else you wanted to ask?”

“Yes.” I switched gears. “We wanted to ask you about aprophecy.”

Keella’s whole demeanor swiftlychanged as she stiffened. It caused my skin to prickle.

“It is a prophecy spoken by Penellaphe,”I said. “And the last oracle.”

“We’ve come to learn that my father knew about it,” Ashsaid, leaning back and resting an ankle on his opposite knee. “And we suspectyou are also aware of it.”

Keella remained quiet.

“Penellaphe shared it with us, butwhen I was…” I took a quick sip of tea. “When I was in Dalos,Kolis told me there was a third part of the prophecy that Penellaphedidn’t know about until I shared it with her recently.” I then told Keella what I’d shared with Penellaphe.“She thinks Kolis has the prophecy in the wrong order.”

“Apparently, he believes it is about him becoming a Primalof Blood and Bone,” Ash said.

Keella snorted. “Of course, hewould. After all, he thinks everything is about him.”

A short, dry laugh left me. “So, the prophecy isn’t abouthim?”

“Oh, it is. At least, some of it.” Several moments passed,and a slight tremor ran up her arm as she took a sip of her tea. Her gaze roseto meet Ash’s. “Your father shared it with me. It was one of the reasons Ihelped him when it came to Sotoria.” She lowered hercup to her lap. “I’m sure you can imagine the other reasons.”

I took a drink. Despite the sweetness of the tea, it stillsoured in my stomach. Unfortunately, I could imagine the reasons.

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