Page 223 of Born of Blood and Ash

He nodded from where he stood by the doors, his armscrossed.

“And I promise I won’t get into any fights,” I added,seeking to ease his obvious concern. “Or even tell anyone who I am now.”

“Liessa,” Ash drawled.“Any mortal who crosses paths with you will know.”

“Because they will sense it?” I figured.

“That,”—his lips twitched—“and your eyes.”

I frowned. “Oh, yeah.”

“Did you forget about that?”

“No.” I laughed.

Ash arched a brow.

“I didn’t. Anyway…” I drew out the word. “Are we travelingto the gateway?”

“You’re a Primal now.” Ash tucked the same curl behind myear. “You don’t need to use the gateways. You can shadowstep.”

“Oh.” I smoothed my hands over my hips, suddenly nervous. Myright hand moved lower, brushing over the hilt of the bone dagger. Ash hadfound a thigh sheath for me. Touching the grip calmed me a little. “Like when Ishadowstepped into Vathi?”

“Wait.” Nektas stepped forward,his brow furrowed. “This will only be your second time shadowstepping?”

I folded my arms. “Maybe.”

“It’s easy,” Ash said.

“More like it’s going to be interesting,” Nektas remarked.

“Well, that’s really helpful.” I saw Rhain’s lips split intoa grin, and my eyes narrowed on the god.

“You know what to do,” Ash began. “All you have to do isfocus.”

“Good luck with that,” Rhain said.

“You know,”—I started turning toward him—“your presence hereisn’t really necessary—”

“You will focus,” Ash repeated, curling his fingers aroundmy chin and guiding my gaze back to his. “And think of where you want to go.Then will yourself there.”

“I know.”

Ash’s chin dipped. “Just don’t overthink it.”

“I’m not.”

“Liessa,” he murmured.

“Whatever.” I exhaled loudly, trying to shake off thenerves. “I know what to do. Will it and get it.”

Ash nodded. “Coming back is no different.” His gaze sweptover my features. “It should only take you seconds.”

I nodded, trying to shake off the nerves. I knew what to do.I understood how moving between the realms worked, but shadowsteppinginto the mortal realm felt vastly different than stepping into Vathi. And yeah,I hadn’t thought about doing it when I went to Vathi. I just did it. Now, I hadto think about it, and the damn draken wasn’thelping.

“Why did Nektas say this should beinteresting if it’s so easy and we’re basically just moving super-fast?”

Ash shot a glare over my head. “Because he was being anass.”

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