Total pages in book: 401
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
Estimated words: 390373 (not accurate)
Estimated Reading Time in minutes: 1952(@200wpm)___ 1561(@250wpm)___ 1301(@300wpm)
“Malik showed Poppy and me something this afternoon,” he continued as my gaze moved to Malik.
His presence was a surprise. I’d half-expected him not to show. He was the last to arrive in the Solar, but was here now, sitting at the large oval table beneath the glass dome.
“We met with several Ascended today,” Casteel continued. “Ascended who call themselves the Unbound—those who do not feed on mortal or Atlantian blood but that of beasts.”
Kieran looked at his glass, his shock splashing against my skin like cold rain. I was surprised that Kieran hadn’t been informed before the meal since Cas had retrieved him right after we returned to Wayfair. It left no room for us to speak but definitely gave them time to do so.
“They do not feed at all?” Kieran questioned.
As Casteel explained what it meant, I forced myself to take several bites of the food heaped on my plate. I wasn’t sure how much Kieran and Cas thought I ate.
“And how many of these Unbound do you think there are?” Naill asked.
“Several hundred in Carsodonia,” Malik answered.
Naill blinked slowly and leaned back. “And the Descenters support this?”
Malik nodded.
I cleared my throat. “Before we took Oak Ambler, I offered the Ascended there a choice,” I reminded those at the table. “They had to agree to no longer feed off the unwilling, be willing to forfeit any and all positions of authority over mortals, and concede to Atlantian rule.” Temporarily, I mentally added, knowing I still needed to discuss with Casteel that I didn’t think we should rule over mortals.
“They didn’t accept the offer,” Kieran stated.
“But the Ascended there likely never knew there was another way to live or that it was even possible. We didn’t know,” I said. “And now that we do, the offer can be made under new terms. They can choose to live as the Unbound or die as the Blood Crown did.”
Silence greeted me.
“I know having death as an option doesn’t seem like much of a choice,” I said, figuring that was what had caused the silence, “but we cannot have the Ascended preying upon the people.”
“If they accept the terms, the mortals will not be happy.”
The one who spoke surprised me. I turned my head to where Tawny sat at my right. She wasn’t officially a part of the Shadow Council, but she had shown up right before everyone else arrived. I’d asked her if Gianna might be interested in joining us, which had earned me a very amused look from Casteel, but I figured if anything needed to be discussed that neither should be privy to, we could wait until they left. But Tawny had declined for the wolven, explaining that Gianna was on patrol in the Luxe.
“They are just learning the truth of the Ascended,” she continued. “And now they will be asked to be okay with them living among them?”
“I…” Casteel said, “actually agree with you.”
Tawny narrowed her eyes at him.
“I don’t expect them to be thrilled, but…” I leaned back and dragged my toes over the stone floor. “But killing them outright is something the Blood Crown would do. We have to—”
“Prove you’re different?” Malik suggested.
I nodded.
“But what about those who participated in the cruelest crimes carried out by the Blood Crown?” Kieran countered.
“They should not be given the option,” I said. “I did not give the Hawleys an option.”
“Thank the gods,” Tawny muttered.
I looked at her. “You knew them?”
“Unfortunately,” she said, lifting her glass. “Met them once. That was enough.”
Considering how they’d behaved with us, I completely understood her sentiment. “We would just need to discover those who have committed such crimes.”
“I have a feeling they will out themselves,” Casteel stated. “Just as Duke Ashwood did.”
He was likely right. The Ascended were…terminally arrogant. The Hawleys were evidence of that.
Kieran picked up a bottle and topped off Casteel’s drink. “You agree with this?”
“I do,” Casteel said, picking up his refilled glass. “I agree with the motivation behind wanting to do so, but I don’t necessarily agree with giving them a choice.”
I set down my glass as the wine turned sour in my mouth. “What?”
“I don’t think they should be given a choice,” Casteel repeated, his gaze meeting and holding mine. “What I thought before stands. I think they should all be killed.”
Malik sat back, his jaw hardening.
“You know I have no love for the Ascended.” Casteel shifted to the side in his seat and rested his elbow on the arm of the chair. “No Atlantian does.”
“That’s not true,” I said.
“Two Atlantians do not represent the whole.”
“I know, but that could change once the Atlantians know it’s possible for the Ascended to live differently.” I took a deep breath, surprised by Casteel. He’d been there. Saw and heard what I had. “And I completely understand why you hold no love for them.” I then glanced at Kieran and the others. “Why none of you do. I’m not asking for that.”