Page 42 of Born of Blood and Ash

“That beings who wield control over life and death, thelands and the elements, those who hold within them such unyielding power, cannever be in a position to rule,” he said, eatherflashing in his pupils. “For they are blood and bone.”

“The ruin and wrath of a once-great beginning,” I whispered.A fine shiver curled its way down my spine at the same moment cold fingers ofdread pressed into the skin behind my left ear. I thought about what Kolis hadsought to become.

A Primal of Blood and Bone.

Of Life and Death.

“The Ancients,” I said. “They held power over all, right?Before they split their powers and went into Arcadia or became the Fates.”

“Before then, a single Ancient could influence gods andmortals to go to war or make peace. They could inspire invention and love, orslothfulness and envy, and ensure that the lands were as fruitful as a unionbetween the two,” he said. “One could turn an entire village propitious orcurse every inhabitant with misfortune.” His gaze met mine. “It is because theywielded control over all forms of life and death.”

A chill went down my spine as I crossed the chamber,stopping at the balcony doors. “The part about them being able to create newrealms wasn’t hyperbole.”

“I never saw them do it, but it was said they could,” hesaid as I pulled a curtain aside. “But they could also undo the realms. Theycould topple the mountains and flood the lands. That is what some wanted to do.Not complete destruction, not a complete undoing of the realm, but they haddone it before. In different lands.”

“Lands to the east and west, separated by unending seas andmist,” I murmured, thinking about the mountains I’d seen erupting into flames,and the steel buildings that had fallen. Had they already done what I’d seen?Was that why we couldn’t pass beyond the veil of eather?

Or was that what was to come?

“But you know what the Ancients were capable of and what theones who went to ground still are,” he said.

“I know. I was just thinking about why there has never beena Primal of Life and Death.” My fingers tightened on the curtain. “It’s becausethey would be…”

“Not just mightier than any Primal,” he finished, “but aPrimal of Life and Death. Therefore, as powerful as an Ancient once theiressence reached maturity.”

I stared at the dark skies beyond the glass. “If Kolisdrained his brother and took the embers that way, he…” I rubbed the nape of myneck. “He would’ve taken all of them.” The prophecy whispered through mythoughts. “For finally, the Primal rises…” It spoke of the Primal ofBlood and Ash. Blood and Ash stood for Life and Death. Blood and Bone. “Hewould’ve become the Primal of Blood and Bone.” I forced in a slow, even breath.“He could still become that.”

“Will you allow it?”

My gaze flew to him. “Fuck, no.”

“Will Ash?”

“Absolutely fucking not.”

Nektas smiled. “I didn’t thinkso,” he said. “Once Kolis is dealt with, such a being will not be a concern.”

Unease stirred as I stood there, leaving me a little—or alot—confused. I didn’t think it had anything to do with Kolis, despite the facthe was a threat in more ways than…five hundred. It was the idea that such abeing as a Primal of Life and Death was impossible. But I wasn’t sure why. Myintuition was quiet again.

Except for one thing.

Even when Kolis was dealt with, a being of such power was notimpossible.

Gold spun before me.

Gilded bones.

Gold chests.

Chains.

And I felt him behind me, beneath me, his body toohot. Too still. Weight crushed my chest.

Crushed me.

“I cannot believe you would bring him up as I hold you,”Kolis hissed in my ear.

I twisted in his grip and saw him, his flesh thinning untilthe dull gleam of bone was visible.

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