Page 380 of Born of Blood and Ash

“We have.”

“As have I,” Attes remarked. “Ifanyone cares to know.”

“Well, I’m not sure I believe that it is always the essenceitself intervening,” Ash continued. “And I’m sure that is something you’vethought.”

I had, and it immediately made me think of that damnprophecy and what Keella had shared.

Ash smiled tightly. “We also know the only way Kolis everhad knowledge of The Star was because a Fate told him about it. Of course, itcould have been done as it was suggested.”

Delfai had mentioned that Kolismight have used someone the Fate loved to manipulate them into giving him whathe wanted. That would be on par with Kolis’s past behavior, but Ash was right.How the Fates—the Ancients—intervened often made no sense. Tensioncrept into my muscles. There were times when actions to right the balancealmost seemed to be in Kolis’s favor, creating another situation that would tipthe scales again. Until recently, we didn’t know why they would do that. Now,we knew they wanted to wake the Ancients—clearly, not all of them wanted that,but why would any of them want to do that? That was what Ash wasgetting at by his question to Holland.

I met the Ancient’s stare. “We know why some of the Fateshave been intervening. They want the Ancients to wake up.”

As Saion let out a low whistle, Rhain looked like he mightfall over.

“That is a question I cannot answer.” Sighing heavily,Holland sat on the edge of the settee. “And not because I know the answer andcannot say, but because I don’t.”

“It wasn’t a question,” Ash pointed out.

Holland looked up. “You’re right.”

When that was all he said, I drew a hand over my face andbriefly squeezed my eyes shut. I knew there were things Holland couldn’t say,and I really had no idea how Penellaphe dealt withthe vague non-answers. “So, theoretically, let’s say someone out there wantsthe Ancients to wake. Why? Because they want to see the realms destroyed?”

“I don’t think anyone wants complete and utter destruction—”

“Even if the destruction isn’t complete, it will be damnnear close to that,” I cut in. I mean, look at what I did as a baby Primal.

“I know, but theoretically, some could view the Awakening asinevitable and seek to control it,” he said, then shrugged. “Some could believeit is the only way to save the realms.”

“Why would anyone theoretically think that?” Ash demanded.

“Perhaps those who have been in a deep sleep have lost someof their bitterness. It’s hard to tell if that would be the case, but it’s notimpossible.” Holland rested his hands on his knees. “And if not, theoretically,there could be a few who would see the Awakening as a restart.”

“You mean a purge,” Ash corrected.

“One where the numbers of mortals and even the gods aregreatly reduced and far more manageable to be controlled,” Holland finished.

“By the Ancients themselves,” Ash surmised. “So, it’spossible that some of the Fates want to return to the way it first was.”

What Ash didn’t know was that the Fates were theAncients, which made his theory all the more plausible.

“Theoretically speaking, yes,” Holland corrected, and Irolled my eyes. “And the way it first was, wasn’t bad. Your drakencan tell you that.”

“Yeah, but look how it ended,” Attesreminded him.

“I can’t even fathom how any of the Fates would wantthis—would want to take this risk,” I began.

“A theoretical risk,” Holland tacked on.

I ignored that. “It’s…” My eyes shot to Holland’s. “It’sKolis, isn’t it? All he has done, has caused. That is what they want torestart.”

“Kolis’s actions have cost the realms much,” Holland statedquietly. “And it would take twice as long to undo what he has done.”

“How would the Ancients’ Awakening cost the realms less?”Rhain demanded. “They’re beings of absolute power.”

“And absolute power corrupts,” I tacked on. “Just as it didbefore.”

Holland nodded. “But those who do not seek power remainuncorrupted by it.”

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