Dark tendrils of eather gathered on the floor, wrapping themselves around our legs. “I’m not sure what you find funny.”

“Many things,” the Ancient replied, his voice carrying a lilt I’d never heard before, one with a melodic quality.

The power growing around Ash caused the air to crackle and stirred the eather inside me. “You want to key us in on those things?” Ash said.

“You want to tell me why you speak for the true Primal of Life?” the Ancient countered.

I stiffened. “He doesn’t speak for me.”

The Ancient’s head moved again, tilting to the side as he focused on me. “I suppose I should be relieved to hear that.” He paused, his gaze moving over me in a way that said he was sizing up my worth and wasn’t exactly impressed with the end result. My eyes narrowed. “But that is yet to be seen.”

Between the tone that dripped disapproval and that look, it was like the Ancient had reached inside me and shattered any self-restraint I’d developed after my Ascension.

Eather rushed to the surface of my skin and seeped through. “I was wrong,” I said as, out of the corner of my eye, I thought I saw wisps of silver-laced golden eather streaking through the dark shadows whirling on the floor. “He did just speak for me when he said you’d better have a good fucking reason for appearing in our home as if you belong here.”

The churning colors stilled, and the bursts of eather brightened in the Ancient’s eyes.

“Careful,” he replied softly. “You may harness the eather of the realms, but you are only a…” The stars in his eyes pulsed, and while his lips didn’t move when he spoke, I heard him clear as day anyway. Two words.

Baby Primal.

I sucked in a sharp breath and jerked. The shock collapsed my hold on the essence.

“You’re the one who needs to be careful.” Ash’s chin dipped. “You may be a Fate, but that won’t stop me from flaying the flesh from your body if I even perceive your words to be a threat to my wife.”

Yet again, I felt myself melting inside, and really, not the appropriate response for several reasons. But most importantly?

Ash was a badass. But he could not defeat an Ancient.

Likely, none of us could.

That tight-lipped smile returned, almost as if the Ancient had heard my thoughts. “I do have a reason for being here,” he announced as a shimmer of awareness swept through me.

“I suppose I’m relieved to hear that,” Ash mimicked with a smile just as unfriendly. “But that is yet to be seen.”

“Charming,” the Ancient murmured, and a not-too-distant rumble echoed from outside. He glanced at the ceiling, and I could’ve sworn I saw a flicker of something skittering across his features. Not an emotion per se, but something like…wariness.

I thought about the dragon I’d seen taking out an Ancient during my Ascension. “Whatever your reason is, you’d best get to it.” My lips curled into a smirk. “Because I think we’re about to have company.”

The eather dimmed in his eyes. “I’ve come to retrieve the Primal of Life.”

My heart lurched. “What for?”

“You’ve been summoned,” the Ancient answered. “By the true Primal of Death.”

CHAPTER SEVENTEEN

It was like the entire realm had ceased moving. I didn’t even think Ash breathed as we stared at the Ancient. Kolis had awakened just the night before, and he already wanted to meet—already wanted to gain the upper hand. This was so like Kolis. I should’ve known he’d do something like this.

Then Ash spoke. “What?”

“The true Primal of Death has summoned the true Primal of Life,” the Ancient repeated.

My heart began to pound. “I think we got that part. Why?”

“He wishes to speak.”

“I don’t give a fuck what he wishes,” Ash growled.

The Ancient sighed. “If only it were that simple. If it were, I would not be here.” He folded his arms across his chest. “As you already know.”

My gaze darted to Ash’s as instinct sparked, telling me what I didn’t want to hear.

“He summoned an Arae to carry out the request,” the Ancient added. “And to monitor the discussions, ensuring they remain peaceful.”

Peaceful?

I laughed.

The Ancient’s brow rose.

Shadows raced over Ash’s cheeks. “What exactly does he want to discuss?”

“I do not know.”

“Are you telling me that he summoned a Fate to broker a meeting but didn’t tell you why?” Disbelief colored Ash’s tone.

“He does not need to tell me why,” the Ancient answered calmly. “Just as the Primal of Life would not need to tell me why.”

“I’m sure we can hazard a few guesses as to why he wishes to meet,” I said, turning to Ash. I lowered my voice when I spoke next. I wasn’t sure what the point was. It wasn’t like the Ancient wasn’t standing right there. “He probably wants us to pledge our loyalty to him.” He likely also wanted to know where Sotoria’s soul was.

“Yeah, and we already know our answer,” Ash seethed. “Starts with go and ends with fuck yourself.” He shifted toward the Ancient. “You have our answer. Go tell him.”

“It doesn’t work that way,” he said. “As you are fully aware.” Those swirling eyes of color fixed on me. “It cannot be denied.”

It…it couldn’t.

Every part of my being knew that. I stepped to the side, thrusting my hand through my hair. “I know.”

“Sera,” Ash warned.

“You know it can’t,” I said.

“He does,” the Ancient clarified.

“Thanks,” I snapped, “but your input wasn’t needed there.”

That half-smile returned. “Equally charming.”

My mind raced, trying to stay ahead of the riot of emotions, the shock of Kolis having recovered enough to do this. But how surprised could I be? I knew Kolis was strengthening. It was just faster than I’d expected. The anger and the fear that he would even dare summon me was stronger than the shock, though. Gods, the fear of feeling that desperation again hit me.

Shadows swirled faster around us as Ash’s eyes locked with mine.

I took a breath that barely went anywhere. “This was bound to happen at some point, right? We knew we would have to come face-to-face with him eventually.”

“On our terms,” Ash spat. “Not his. Never his. And definitely not to fulfill whatever perverted entertainment value he will surely gain from this.”

“I am not sure what perversion it is that you speak of,” the Ancient stated. “But neither the Primal of Life nor the Primal of Death will be able to lash out at the other while in the presence of an Arae.” The Ancient spoke as if he were speaking of squabbling children. “There will be no fighting or violence of any kind.”

Ash didn’t even look at the Ancient. “It is not physical violence I am worried about.”

Air punched out of my chest. I knew what he meant. It was what Kolis could say. How he would make me feel.

“You do not need to concern yourself with any of it,” the Ancient said. “The meeting is only between the Primal of Life and the Primal of Death.”

The floor felt as if it shifted beneath me as Ash drew in a breath, but his chest didn’t expand with an exhale.

I faced the Ancient. “Why?”

“He does not trust this Primal not to escalate the situation,” the Ancient responded. “Nyktos cannot step one foot in Dalos during the meeting.”

I almost laughed again.

“Are you fucking kidding me?” Ash bit out.

“And I can see why,” the Ancient continued blithely. “He is nearly as temperamental as the creatures his father gave dual lives to.”

“You’re actually serious.” Ash stepped toward the Ancient, causing my heart to stutter. “You’re going to humor this son of a bitch, knowing what he has done?”

Reaching for Ash, I halted.

The Ancient’s lips thinned. “I have no choice.”

“You are a Fate!” Ash roared as twin arcs of shadowy eather exploded from his back. “You are not merely a messenger.”