Page 388 of Born of Blood and Ash

Ash didn’t like it. Neither did I. But Theon was right. “Thierran, you’ll be up with us, nice and hidden. You needto stay out of all the fighting until Sera summons you, or you don’t have achoice.”

“That’s not much fun,” the God of Dreams remarked.

“Bele, you will be up with us.” Ash’s gaze flicked to Attes. “So will you.”

“I need to be on the second line,” Attesargued. “That’s where the fighting will be the heaviest. If our line breaks,the Temple will be overrun.”

“Good point.” Ash let out an aggravated breath.

“I’ll take Kars and you two.” Attesnodded at the cousins. “Rhain should be with you all.”

My gaze darted from Kars to Rhaharand Saion. While the latter had been Ascended, none of them were Primals. They were gods, which meant they could be killedwith shadowstone and eather.Thinking that made my heart race, even though none of them looked nervous. Karswas actually smiling.

“I don’t think Saion should be on the second line,” I said.“Or in the Bonelands.”

Saion stiffened. “What do you mean?”

“We need Phanos taken out, andwhen that happens, you will finish your Ascension,” I reminded him—andeveryone. “You’ll be vulnerable in those moments, and we may be unable to getyou out.”

“Fuck,” he muttered, rubbing his brow. “I didn’t even thinkof that.”

“Good call.” Ash smiled at me, and I felt like clappingmyself on the back. Somehow, I managed to refrain from doing so. “TheShadowlands still need to be guarded in case Kolis attacks here to draw ourattention. You will be needed here.”

Saion wasn’t happy, but he nodded.

“I am ready,” Penellaphe said,drawing our attention. “I know I haven’t been Ascended for long, but I am readyto join the fight.”

“As am I,” Ione joined in. “I have trained as a guard andcan wield a sword.”

“Penellaphe,” Ash began.

“I know I may not appear to have had any training.” Penellaphe’s chin lifted, sending long, honey-hued strandscascading over her back. “But I, too, once trained as a guard.”

“It has nothing to do with that,” I said. “Eventually, youwill have to use the eather despite your training,which will impact the mortal realm.”

“And it will already be severe with just Sera and Kolis onthe field,” Ash said. “Add in Attes? Bele and me? Phanos? We must do whatever we can to prevent a full-scalewar and lessen the impact on the mortal realm.”

Penellaphe relented first, thenIone reluctantly submitted.

“I assume this part of the conversation doesn’t apply tome.” Lailah looked over the table between Ash and me.

“You just woke up,” Rhain said. “You can’t be out there.”

Lailah’s brows shot up. “You cannot be serious.”

“He is,” Theon stated, crossing his arms. “Look, Aios isn’t arguing—”

“That’s because Aios isn’t atrained warrior!” Lailah’s head shot toward the redheaded Primal goddess. “Nooffense.”

“None taken.” Aios lifted a hand.“But even if I were, I understand why I cannot be on the field.”

Theon smirked at his sister.

Lailah’s eyes narrowed. “I am one of the most trained guardsin all of Iliseeum—without using eather.”

“No one is denying that,” Attessaid. “But you are vulnerable.”

“That’s bullshit.” Her nostrils flared.

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