Page 298 of Born of Blood and Ash

“Ten, I believe,” Thierrananswered.

There were only two now. I shuddered.

Aurelia lowered her head when Attesappeared. He looked as bad as I felt. The armor across his chest was dented,fresh blood coursed down his arms, and his leather pants were charred inseveral places.

“Where the fuck is Kolis?” he growled.

“Likely gone to ground.” I sheathed the bone dagger. “Wardhere snuck up on him and nearly decapitated him.”

“Wouldn’t have been able to do it if he hadn’t been sofocused on you,” Ward replied.

Attes’s gaze shot to mine, and Ilooked away. He reached out and ran his palm over Aurelia’s scaled jaw. “Comeon.” He came to my side, and Aurelia took off, rising into the sky. “Let’s getyou home before any other asshole decides to show up.”

I nodded but then turned to the oneirou.“Are you coming back?”

“Eventually. No need to rush now that Embrisis no more.” A grin appeared, curving the straight lines of his scars. “Can’tsay I am even remotely upset about that.”

“We can agree on that,” Ward said gruffly, and my chesthollowed. He bowed his head toward me. “If you will excuse me, I would like tocheck on Penellaphe.”

“Thank you again,” I said, weariness settling in. And nowthat the adrenaline was gone, I could feel the cracks in my restraint startingto form.

Ward waved my gratitude off, walking away. Attes folded an arm around my waist and told Thierran, “Stay out of trouble.”

The oneirou smiled in away that told me he planned to use this time to settle more scores. I wanted tolaugh again.

Attes shadowsteppedus back to the House of Haides, and as the mist around us faded, I saw familiarfaces in the palace’s foyer. Solemn expressions. Worried eyes.

It was Rhain who stepped forward. “Sera?”

“Where is Nyktos?” Attes demanded.

“He’s still at the Pillars,” Rhain said, his gaze fixed onme. “Rhahar joined him to help. There’s been…”

There had been even more souls passing through the Pillars.

Because of me.

Because of Kolis.

A tremor coursed through me.

“I’ll have fresh water sent to your chambers,” Aios said, drawing away from a shockingly quiet Bele.“We’ll get you cleaned up.”

I said nothing, just started to go with Attesand Rhain as they led me toward the stairs. Some distant part of my brainclicked back on, and I remembered what the events of tonight actually meant. Ineeded to keep it together. For just a little bit longer.

“Are the Shadowlands secured?” I asked, barely recognizingmy voice.

“Yes,” Lailah answered. “Soldiers are on the Risesurrounding Lethe and the palace since this…this began.”

“Has Theon been notified to watch for any movement?”

“Yes,” she said.

“Good.” I pressed my hand to my lower stomach, my mindracing. “We…should send someone to Mount Lotho,” Isaid, truly having no idea how much Holland would intervene if there wasanother attack. “There are only two draken remaining.Penellaphe’s Court will be vulnerable until sheawakens.”

Lailah’s inhale was swift. “Only two?”

“Kolis,” I said, and that was all I could say about that.

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