Page 202 of Born of Blood and Ash

He nodded. “It is.”

“We could maybe place them across from the settee,” Isuggested. “I’m sure Nyktos won’t even notice.”

“He’ll notice,” Rhain stated flatly.

“It’ll be okay,” I assured him.

Rhahar grinned. “We’ll get somechairs.”

“A table and two chairs,” Rhain said. “Is that all?”

“Yes.”

He hesitated. “You sure?”

I nodded. “Thank you.” Then I gave him a wave, which Jadismimicked, nearly smacking Reaver in the face.

My redecoration plans took center stage as I watched Jadisand Reaver, who quickly devoured the sandwiches Rhain had returned with. It wasnice to think about something so mundane. Figuring that at least Jadis wouldsoon be taking a nap, I found her blanket in the credenza and tossed it ontothe couch. Her eyes were getting heavy-lidded—

My chest suddenly hummed, causing me to stiffen. I knew whatthat feeling meant.

A Primal was here.

And I knew in my bones it wasn’t Ash.

CHAPTERTHIRTY

The humming intensified as instinct warned methis wasn’t Attes either. I spun toward theyounglings. “Stay here.”

“A Primal is here.” Reaver halted in the process of liftingJadis. She giggled as her feet dangled above the floor. “And you’re worried.”

Damn that notam.

I crossed the distance between us and knelt. “I am, andthat’s why I need you to stay here with Jadis.”

His stubborn gaze met mine as he set Jadis aside. “But youare meyaah Liessa—”

Jadis had stopped laughing, having picked up on the swiftchanges in the chamber. She dropped her doll and pressed herself againstReaver, wrapping her arms around him. “Scary,” she whispered, her eyes biggerand rounder than I’d ever seen them.

“It’s okay,” I assured her, placing a hand on each of theircheeks. “You don’t need to be scared, sweetheart. Not when Reaver is with you.He will keep you safe.” My gaze shifted to Reaver. “Right? Remember what Iasked of you before?”

He glanced between us and nodded. “Always,” he said. “Ipromised you.”

“That’s right.” I kissed his forehead and then Jadis’s.

Reaver folded an arm over Jadis’s shoulders as I rose andturned. Forcing myself not to bolt from the chamber and scare Jadis further, Iwalked out of Ash’s office.

Damn it. I shouldn’t have been thinking about how calmthings were. I’d jinxed myself.

I closed the doors behind me. “A Primal has arrived,” I toldRhahar, who now stood with Kars. “And it’s not Ash orAttes.”

Then I ran.

“Sera!” Rhahar exclaimed.

I didn’t slow down as I raced down the corridor, picking upspeed as I reached the closest exit. Kars’ curse got lost in the pounding of myheart. I willed the door open, catching it before it crashed against the shadowstone wall.

I spotted Aios in the courtyard,speaking with Bele. Her buttercream-colored gown fluttered around her slippered feet as she turned toward me, just as Bele’s eyesflashed an intense silver.

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