The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

landscape, thickening in the distance. The air carried the
distinctive scent of salt.
“We can stop here, or we can travel onward to Saion’s
Cove,” Casteel said. “We can deal with Alastir now or later.
It is up to you.”
I didn’t hesitate, even though dealing with Alastir meant
facing Casteel’s father. “We deal with this now.”
“You sure?”
“Yes.”
Something akin to pride drifted from Casteel to me as
his lips touched my cheek. “So strong.”
To our left, the sound of running water reached us. In
the moonlight, water glistened from the face of the Skotos
Mountains and rushed across the wide strip of land. The
water tumbled and spilled off the cliffs, reaching the rocks
below.
Stars shone across the sky as the rippling light of
numerous torches became visible through the soaring trees,
casting an orangey glow over columned sides nearly as tall
as the surrounding cypress.
Kieran joined his father as they darted between the
trees, racing toward the wide steps of the enclosed Temple.
People stood on the colonnade, dressed in black, and I knew
without asking that these were Casteel’s men and
Guardians of Atlantia. Those he trusted.
As several of the wolven climbed the steps, Casteel
slowed Setti. “We will most likely see my father first. He
needs to see that you didn’t Ascend.”
I nodded as nervous energy and something rawer
buzzed within me.
“Then we will handle Alastir,” Casteel continued, the
arm around my waist shifting. His hand slid across my
stomach, leaving shivers in its wake. “I’ve gotten all I can
get out of Alastir that will be of use to us, so you know how
tonight will end?”