Page 301 of Born of Blood and Ash

My hands were trembling as I ran them down my face. “I amthe last person either of you needs to worry about right now. Kolis—”

“Fuck Kolis,” snarled Nektas, hispupils contracted further into slits. “Attes, summonthe Healer.”

“No!” I shouted, feeling the tenuous hold I had beginning toslip. “I don’t need the Healer. I don’t need either of you with me. I just needto be alone right now.”

“Attes.” Nektasignored me. “Go—”

“Do you all know what I did? Why Ash is stuck at thePillars? It wasn’t just Kolis. It was also me! I killed!” I screamed, mycontrol completely snapping. I turned, finding Attesstanding behind me. “I killed so many innocent people tonight!”

“Kyn killed more,” Attes said. “Sodid Embris. They did it on Kolis’s orders—”

“That doesn’t change what I did. I tried to fix it. Itried—” I stiffened, horrific images filling my head. Anger and sorrow pumpedthrough me so intensely that, for a moment, I couldn’t breathe. In thedistance, I heard another draken let out a series ofstaggered, anxious calls.

Images of the fire-lit hills and villages flashed before me,replacing those of my family. I saw the guards on Dalos’sRise. The one who’d said he wouldn’t fight me. I saw Jove. I saw the Chosenhuddled together in fear. The Priestess and all the destruction.

You murdered coldly and without thought or care. You’reno better than me.

“What did I do?” I whispered, my body shaking. “What have Ibecome?”

Attes reached for me. “Sera—”

I pushed him away. The Primal stumbled back, and I doubledover, clutching my head. There were screams again, but this time, they weremine. My chest tightened. Nektas was speaking, but Icouldn’t hear him. There were other voices now. I felt Nektas’sarms around my waist. I heard more draken aslightning flashed outside the balcony doors. I couldn’t breathe when I sawJove. My entire body shook as I saw the limp babe in the Priestess’s arms. Ezraand Marisol. My mother. The ruined homes, broken streets, and leveled villages.The nameless, faceless lives I’d exchanged for those I’d brought back.

I was losing control again.

Breaking.

Pressure descended on my chest, and wind battered the walls,blowing open the balcony doors. I suddenly remembered what Veseshad said when she came here. She’d warned me. She’d fucking warned me.Lights all along the wall flickered, and the bulbs burst. The bed rattled. Icouldn’t calm myself. Couldn’t hold myself together like I knew I should. Icouldn’t be stronger. Better. I didn’t even try.

I screamed.

I screamed until a hum filled every part of my being. Myskin began to vibrate. Fire erupted along my flesh. Clothing tore. The sheath on my thigh snapped. My bones cracked andthen fused back together as I shifted.

The nota took over.

The draken held me in hisarms as I struggled, snapping and clawing at him. He didn’t let go, not evenwhen I brought him to his knees. He held on, my claws scraping against the shadowstone, chipping the floor. I needed to be free. Torun. To not think or feel.

“I’m not letting you go,” the drakengrunted. I tried to throw my weight against him. “I’m sorry, Sera. I know youthink that’s what you need right now, but it’s not safe.”

I growled, hissing and straining against him. I hurt.Outside. Inside. It was too much.

“Should I summon Kye?” a softer voice asked. “He could giveher a sedative.”

“Is she still bleeding?” a deeper voice asked, carryingPrimal power. My head snapped in his direction. I bared my fangs at the scarredPrimal. His brows shot up.

“Either she is, or I am,” the drakensaid. “Actually, both of us are.”

“Then we don’t want to sedate her until we find out why shehasn’t healed completely.” The Primal watched me warily. “Plus, I’m half-afraidshe’ll try to eat the Healer.”

“I think you need to be more worried about her eating you,”another voice came. I twisted my head to the far right, snarling at theauburn-haired god. “Please, do not let her go.”

“Trying not to.” The drakenmanaged to work an arm under my chin, clamping my head against his chest. “Ithink it’s best if you leave.”

The clicking in the back of my throat grew into a roar.

“You sure about that?” the Primal asked.

“I have her under control,” the drakenshouted, and I could smell the others’ doubt as I hissed at the Primal, feelingmy fur rise. “Or she’ll tire herself out first. Either way, get the fuck out ofhere.”

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