Page 197 of Born of Blood and Ash

“I know exactly who he has become,” Attescorrected softly.

I wanted to apologize again, but I didn’t think it wouldmake anything easier. “I didn’t get a chance to say something before, but Iswore an oath that Kyn would face justice for what he did to the people here.”

Attes stopped near the main hall,his eyes closing.

“Is that why you didn’t stop Nyktos?”he asked quietly.

I considered lying. “No. I simply wanted to see Kyn hurt.”

His chin lowered. “I get that.”

“I won’t try to carry through on that oath during the eirini.”

He glanced over at me. “But you will eventually.”

“I will.” I crossed my arms. “I felt like I needed to tellyou that.”

Attes’s chest rose with a heavybreath. “I can understand such an oath being made, Seraphena.”

“That’s why I’m sorry,” I said. “And you can call me Sera.”

His jaw worked as he nodded. Swallowing, he opened his eyes.Only a faint glow of eather pulsed behind his pupils.“Is telling me this why you’re currently risking getting my balls cut off?”

I arched a brow. “Yes, but there are other reasons. I wantedto ask you about Sotoria.”

It seemed impossible, but Attesstiffened further. “What about her?”

“I assume you have The Star somewhere safe?”

“I do.” He was silent for a moment. “And I assume youwant to be in possession of it.”

I nodded. “But I think it’s better if you keep her. I’m sureKolis believes I have The Star, so she’s safer with you. I know you willprotect her.”

Something flickered across his face, too fast for me toread. “I will.”

I glanced back toward the chambers. “When I was in Dalos, the Star diamond was above me. It looked differentthen,” I said, even though Attes knew. “But I oftensaw this light moving around inside it. I thought my mind was playing tricks onme, but it was Eythos’s soul. He was…active. Aware. Iwas wondering if it’s the same with Sotoria.”

“Does the vadentia nottell you?”

I shook my head. “I think it’s because her soul was in me.”

Two lines formed between his brows. “I cannot say for sure,but there is a light—her soul—inside the diamond. It doesn’t move around,though.”

“I hope that means she’s like…asleep,” I said. “That’s howshe was most of the time she was inside me.”

“I hope that, too.” He cleared his throat. “At least, thatis what I tell myself.”

Neither of us liked the idea of her being trapped in TheStar, but that was better than her being reborn and Kolis getting his hands onher.

“There is also something else Kolis said,” I continued. “AndI think he spoke the truth, but I don’t understand why.”

Attes folded his arms across hischest. “What was it?”

I glanced down the hall. It was empty, but I still loweredmy voice. “Kolis said it was Eythos who caused Sotoria’s second death.”

Attes’s gaze flew to mine. Amoment passed. “Your suspicions regarding that are true.”

I knew they were. But hearing Attesconfirm it still felt like a gut punch. “Why?

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