Page 66 of Born of Blood and Ash

Ash held up a hand. “I don’t think the Primalswho rule over those Courts would take too kindly to that. They would fightback. We might have to kill them.”

“Then I could Ascend another god to take their place,” Icountered.

Rhain’s gaze sharpened on me. “Or you could take the Courtas your own. The Primal of Life can take a Court. And with the energy going toyou, it would lessen the impact of there being no Primal to rule.”

I started to ask how that was even done, but with a tinglein the skin behind my ear, the knowledge came in a flash of images. I frownedslightly. Taking another Court required no ceremonies or words. All I had to doafter draining the Primal was take their eather intome before it released. Not that I was complaining. It was just…the process wasfrighteningly simple.

“But not even Kolis did that,” Rhain added after a moment.

Ash looked over at him.

“Technically,” he corrected. “But having a Primal of Lifethat just takes on the Primal influence of other Courts doesn’t sound likesomething you would want to do.”

It wasn’t.

“Not only that, but it is unlikely we could defeat thoseCourts and Kolis with Attes, Keella,and one really underperforming Court,” Ash pointed out. “Not only do we need asmuch support as we can get, but you also want things to be different. Wouldthat be any different?”

“No.” I sighed. “I wasn’t being serious.”

Ash’s head tilted as he took a drink.

“Okay.” I rolled my eyes. “I was only being fifty percentserious.”

His lips twitched as he placed his glass on the table. “So,are we in agreement? Summon the Primals?”

Murmurs of approval rose around the table, and I nearlyslumped in my chair with relief.

“Then what comes next?” Bele asked.

“I think you will enjoy this answer.” I met Bele’s stare.“We remove Kolis from the throne.”

“Violently?”

“Is there any other option?” Ash replied.

“No.” Bele smiled in a way I should’ve found disturbing butdidn’t.

“Exactly how will that be done?” Theon followed up.

“We entomb him,” Ash said.

“That won’t be easy,” Rhain stated.

“We know.” I idly petted Reaver’s head. “But there has to bea way. After all, the Ancients have been entombed for thousands of years.”

Rhahar choked on what he wasdrinking. “Come again?”

Well, apparently that was something else they weren’t awareof. “Not all the Ancients entered Arcadia or were killed. Some could only beput into the ground. That is why there must be balance—why there must always belife and death.” I then explained what Kolis had been doing with theChosen—turning them into the Ascended. “That has been working, but I know thatat least Kyn was worried it wouldn’t continue to do so. And if balance is notkept, the Ancients will wake.”

Blood drained from Rhain’s face as he sat—or collapsed—backinto his chair.

“Do I want to know what would happen then?” Bele said.

“They would finish what they started when the Primals rose against them. Kolis would be the least ofeveryone’s worries,” I said, keeping my hand on the curve of Reaver’s neck.“Either way, we need to discover how the Ancients were entombed. What workedfor them will work on Kolis.”

“Keella is the eldest Primal afterKolis.” Ash drew his fingers over his chin. “We plan to speak with her.”

“So, we entomb Kolis. For what? Thousands of years?” Rhainasked.

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