The Crown of Gilded Bones (Blood and..

longer than normal to awaken from what I hear. A few days.
So, I imagine tomorrow, perhaps?”
A…a few days? Tomorrow? “How long have I been out?”
“Two days. Maybe three.”
Good gods.
I didn’t even want to think about the damage done to
my head that would have knocked me out for that long. But
the others hadn’t been struck as many times as Casteel.
Kieran would likely be awake now. So would Jasper. And
maybe the other—
“I know what you’re thinking,” the male cut into my
thoughts. “That the wolven will feel your call. That they will
come for you. No, they won’t. The bones nullify the Primal
notam. They also negate any and all abilities, reducing you
to what you are at your very core. Mortal.”
Was that why I felt nothing from this man? That wasn’t
exactly what I’d wanted to hear. Panic threatened to dig its
claws into me once more, but the shadowy form moved
closer, stepping into the glow of the torch.
My entire body went rigid at the sight of the man
dressed in all black. Every part of me rebelled at what I saw.
It didn’t make sense. It was impossible. But I recognized the
dark, buzzed hair, the hard-set jaw, and thin lips. Now I
knew why his laugh sounded so familiar.
It was the commander of the Royal Guard.
Commander Jansen.
“You’re dead,” I breathed, staring up at him as he
drifted between the pillars.
A dark eyebrow rose. “Whatever gave you that
impression, Penellaphe?”
“The Ascended discovered that Hawke wasn’t who he
said he was shortly after we left.” What Lord Chaney had
told me in that carriage resurfaced. “They said the
Descenters infiltrated the highest ranks of the Royal Guard.”
“They did, but they didn’t catch me.” One side of
Jansen’s lips curved up as he strolled forward, his fingers