Page 207 of Born of Blood and Ash

“You’re right,” he said. “She deserves nothing but death.”

“Then don’t stop—”

You won’t do it.

My gaze flew back to Veses’. Thatvoice… She hadn’t spoken out loud. It had been inside my head.

Not because you’re better than me or Kolis. Veses’ lips curved into a bloody smile. It’s becauseyou’re weak. So godsdamn weak. That’s whyyou’re not any better. Claiming to be so is nothing more than an act.

I sucked in an unsteady breath as I was thrust back to whenI was caged, and Veses had been on the outside. Whenshe said we weren’t that different.

And she had been right.

We both reacted violently when it came to the ones we loved.It was the monstrous part of us both. And she was right about me not being abetter person.

But she was wrong about why.

“I know what she’s doing. She’s in your head. Don’t listento her.” Rhain’s grip on my arm firmed as he knelt beside me. “You don’t wantwar, Sera, but if you kill her, that’s exactly what you will start.”

It would absolutely start a war. What had I said to Ash? Ididn’t want us to be the ones who started the war. But as the anger pumpedhotly through me, I couldn’t give two shits about what I’d said. The hairs allover my body rose as a strange, shivery heat ran down my spine and arms,shocking my fingers.

Veses winced.

And I smiled, wanting to strip the flesh from her bones andthen break every one. Slowly. I wanted to kill herover and over. My hold on her shattered wrist tightened as my fingers—my nails—cutinto her skin, drawing blood.

Is vengeance worth the price?

I stiffened, feeling another draken’secho or imprint. It was…earthy. Wild. In the back of my mind, I knew thesensation was unique to only one draken, but it wasRhain’s voice that intruded, mingling with my thoughts. I stared down at Veses, the rose-scented breeze tossing wisps of my hairacross my face.

Was vengeance worth the price?

Yes.

Yes, it was.

“It’s more than vengeance,” I said. “It’s justice.”

“The difference between the two is a fine line.” Anothervoice, a deeper, gravelly one, reached me.

My gaze shot up as Nektas crossedonto the road, the ridges on his shoulders fading as loose pants manifested.

Wind whipped his hair as he knelt behind the Primalgoddess’s head. “And no one walks it without stepping over that line.”

No one? Nektas was wrong. Ashwould walk that fine line. He’d done so with Kyn. He always had. It was me whocouldn’t.

The true Primal of Life.

The Queen.

“Ash sent me,” Nektas said, hisvoice gentling as Rhain released my arm. “He was worried.”

It took a moment for what he said to break through. Ashmust’ve picked up on my emotions while at the Pillars. A shudder went throughme.

“How sweet,” rasped Veses.

My lips peeled back, and a sound I didn’t recognize camefrom deep within me. Before I knew what I was doing, my head snapped down,fangs bared. I tore into Veses’ throat, and there wasnothing clean or quick about the bite. I wanted to cause pain.

And I did.

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