BLOOD AND ASH · BOOK SIX · CURRENTLY READING
The Primal of Blood and Bone
My ongoing chapter-by-chapter notes on Poppy’s completed transformation, the changes the Joining leaves in Casteel and Kieran, the truth about the Ancients and the balance of life and death now shaping all three of them.
I am still reading this book, so this page only covers the prologue and Chapters 1–5. Later chapters are intentionally not included.
QUICK REFRESHER SO FAR
What Has Happened in the Chapters I’ve Read
The prologue takes Poppy into the darkness of her stasis, where she witnesses the beginning of creation. Eather forms the world, the Ancients arise before the Primals and ten of them dream of an ending powerful enough to destroy everything.
Their attempt to prevent that future leads to the creation of the Primals. Nyktos later creates the first draken and gives them free will, a choice that spreads through creation and eventually reaches mortals.
The same free will that creates love, joy and compassion also creates hate, grief and destruction. Poppy understands that balance is not only life against death—it is the existence of both sides at once.
In the present, Poppy awakens as a full Primal with molten-silver eyes and the scents of both fresh lilacs and dead autumn leaves. Casteel and Kieran survive the release of her power, but neither is the same afterward.
The Joining has divided her essence between them. Kieran appears tied to Life, while Casteel carries Death. Their bodies, senses and powers have changed, and no one yet understands exactly what the three of them have become.
THE FEEL OF THIS BOOK SO FAR
Ancient Stars, Bone Runes & Molten-Silver Eather
The design uses black stone, bone ivory, blood-red fractures, silver essence and old-gold starlight to match the creation lore and Poppy’s Primal awakening.Creation begins with pure essence before the Primals or gods exist.
Life and death are no longer separate ideas but two halves of the same balance.
Ten original beings foresee the end and create the future they hoped to stop.
Poppy’s awakening changes Casteel and Kieran at the level of essence.
THE CENTRAL IDEA
Balance Is Not Peace
HOW I’M USING THIS PAGE
An ongoing memory guide while I read
LORE I NEED TO REMEMBER
What the Prologue Changes
Original beings older than the Primals and connected to the first creation.
Ancients who could see possible futures and foresaw the end of everything.
First given to the draken by Nyktos, then carried into mortal life and emotion.
Life and death, love and hate, creation and destruction must all exist together.
A prophetic figure tied to Poppy’s opposite power and the bond surrounding her.
One of the unresolved figures named in the larger prophecy.
READ CHAPTERS ONLY
Choose a Recap
P = Prologue.Before the Primals
The beginning of creation, the rise of free will and the prophecy that ties life, death, blood and bone together.
PROLOGUE
The Primal
While in stasis, Poppy drifts through an empty void, stripped of memories, emotions, and even her sense of self. She then experiences a powerful vision showing the origins of creation. She witnesses the birth of the stars, the Ancient Ones, the Primals, the gods, draken, and eventually mortals. The vision reveals that the Ten Dreaming Ancients foresaw a future where the balance between Life and Death would be destroyed. Ironically, every attempt they made to prevent that future including granting free will and creating new beings only ensured it would happen.
The vision teaches that true balance cannot exist without opposites: life requires death, love requires loss, and joy requires grief. When that balance is broken, even the Ancients themselves become forces of destruction instead of creation.
Finally, Poppy is shown glimpses of the future. She sees the bloodline descending from the first mortal, the true Primal of Life, a desperate king, the union of Life and Bone, two daughters, two kings, and the Great Conspirator. Although the end is inevitable, the vision also reveals that every ending creates a new beginning. The coming conflict will not simply bring ruin, it will also bring the rise of Blood and Bone.
he central truth of the vision is that Life and Death must always remain in balance If that balance is broken, even the Ancients become catastrophic forces of destruction. The future vision specifically mentions:Two daughters,Two Kings,The Great Conspirator,The rise of Blood and Bone
PROLOGUE
Casteel
After killing the Revenant, Casteel and Kieran realize its words were almost certainly about Kolis, who has apparently been waiting for Poppy. While she remains in stasis, the floor cracks into an ancient Atlantian symbol combining Life and Death—Blood and Bone. Poppy briefly begins to wake, her body warming and her eyes opening as pure molten silver, but before Casteel can know whether she remembers them, her power erupts. The scents of fresh lilacs and stale lilacs confirm that she now carries both Life and Death. Her essence then flows into Casteel and Kieran, painfully rebuilding their bodies and permanently transforming them. Kieran’s Primal mist appears gold and silver, while Casteel’s appears as crimson-streaked shadow, suggesting Poppy’s two powers have divided between them.
This is the moment Casteel and Kieran stop being simply an Elemental Atlantian and a wolven. Poppy opens her eyes, but the chapter ends before they learn whether she remembers herself or recognizes them. The different colors surrounding Casteel and Kieran foreshadow their separate connections to Death and Life
After the Stasis
Poppy wakes as a full Primal while Casteel and Kieran discover the Joining has remade them too.
CHAPTER 01
Chapter 1
Two days after Poppy’s power transformed him and Kieran, Casteel realizes the Joining has changed them far beyond simply tying their lives to hers. He can now shift into a cave cat, sense and taste emotions, communicate with Kieran through the notam, and control ancient Primal essence. More importantly, the power Poppy carried appears to have divided between them: Kieran’s essence manifests as gold and silver, suggesting Life, while Casteel’s appears as silver, crimson, and shadow, suggesting Death. Neither understands what they have become.
Poppy remains unconscious, and Casteel is barely sleeping or eating because he is terrified she may wake without remembering herself or recognizing them. Kieran forces him to confront both his guilt and his responsibilities as King. Carsodonia is unstable after the fall of the Blood Crown: captured soldiers are choosing whether to swear allegiance to Atlantia, mortals are frightened and distrustful, Blood Crown supporters are spreading fear, and people are questioning why their new King and Queen have not appeared publicly. Casteel refuses to reveal Poppy’s vulnerable condition, especially while Kolis and the remaining Revenants may still be watching.
Kieran reminds Casteel that Poppy once put aside her desperation to rescue him because she understood that countless lives depended on her. Accepting that he must do the same, Casteel reluctantly leaves her under Kieran and Delano’s protection to investigate several mysterious deaths among the Ascended in the Luxe district. As he approaches the area with Hisa and Emil, he senses an unnatural heaviness in the air and experiences firsthand how overwhelming Poppy’s empathic ability must have been. The chapter ends with Casteel recognizing that the kingdom cannot remain frozen indefinitely while they wait for Poppy to awaken.
The Joining originally seemed to tie Poppy, Casteel, and Kieran’s lives together, but it has now also transferred Primal power and abilities between them. Notam is the mental bond normally connecting Poppy to the wolven; Casteel and Kieran can now use it directly with each other.
CHAPTER 02
Chapter 2
Casteel investigates the mysterious deaths of several Ascended after Kieran convinces him to briefly leave Poppy's side. The victims appear to have been drained of blood through bite marks, yet there are no signs of struggle, no evidence anyone entered or left the guarded homes, and none of the victims transform into Craven as they normally should. Every affected house contains the same strange signs—dead vegetation, shattered lights, dead birds, and the lingering scent of stale lilacs, making the deaths seem almost supernatural rather than the work of an ordinary killer.
Emil's observation that it seemed as though "a spirit" committed the murders leads Casteel to question Reaver. Together they consider the possibility that Kolis currently exists only as his aru'lis (Primal soul), allowing him to move unseen while briefly taking physical form. Reaver explains that a Primal in this state would require a suitable vessel to fully return. This revelation causes Casteel to realize Isbeth's true plan may never have been to sacrifice Poppy, but instead to create a vessel for Kolis—possibly even intending Malec for that role. Reaver also strongly hints that Poppy herself has a unique connection to Kolis that he refuses to fully explain, leaving Casteel with even more unanswered questions.
The Ascended are being mysteriously killed in an impossible way.Evidence suggests Kolis may already be active as a spirit-like Primal soul.A Primal can potentially regain a body through a compatible vessel.Casteel realizes Isbeth's plans were far more complicated than previously believed.Reaver knows more about Poppy's connection to Kolis than he is willing to reveal.
A Kingdom Holding Its Breath
Carsodonia waits for its new rulers while Blood Crown loyalists and frightened mortals test the fragile peace.
Prologue
The Primal
The prologue begins with Poppy awakening in a strange, dreamlike place with no memory of who she is. She hears a mysterious voice claiming it has been with her since birth, before she suddenly finds herself imprisoned inside a golden cage. Although she remembers that she is the Primal of Life and Death, she cannot remember her own identity. As fear and confusion overwhelm her, ghostly Primal mist surrounds the cage before taking the form of an impossibly beautiful man.The man is revealed to be Kolis, the true Primal of Death. Rather than attacking immediately, he manipulates Poppy psychologically, forcing her to relive the most painful moments of her life losing loved ones, betrayal, shame, loneliness, fear, and every major trauma she has endured. He repeatedly offers to erase all her suffering if she simply allows him into her mind and accepts him.For a brief moment, Poppy is tempted by the promise of peace. However, hearing the memory of Casteel's voice reminds her who truly loves her. She recognizes that Kolis is lying and finally remembers exactly who he is not simply Death itself, but the being who became the Great Conspirator, choosing manipulation, cruelty, and corruption.Poppy refuses him outright. But Kolis reveals the terrifying truth: he never actually needed her permission. The cage was only an illusion. He shatters it, enters freely, and places his hand directly over the center of her chest, unleashing unbearable agony as the prologue ends.
Poppy initially loses all memory of her personal identity after her Ascension.Kolis can invade or reach Poppy within her spiritual/mental state.Kolis feeds on fear, despair, and emotional weakness rather than relying only on brute strength.The title Great Conspirator refers to Kolis after he abandoned the true balance of Death. Casteel's voice serves as Poppy's emotional anchor, helping her separate truth from Kolis's manipulation.
Prologue
Casteel
The chapter opens with Casteel and Kieran keeping vigil beside Poppy. Both are physically and emotionally exhausted, but neither is willing to leave her side. For the first time, they openly discuss their greatest fear—that Poppy may awaken without remembering them. Instead of giving in to that fear, they promise that if it happens, they will help her rebuild every memory together, no matter how painful it is. Their conversation highlights how deeply the three of them are connected, with each worrying as much about the others as themselves.
Casteel then tells Kieran everything he learned from Reaver about Kolis. They both agree that the strange deaths of the Ascended strongly suggest Kolis is already moving through the world in a shadow-like form. They also realize that Isbeth's true plan was never to sacrifice Poppy, making her motives even more mysterious than they originally believed. Meanwhile, Casteel continues wrestling with Emil's earlier question about whether every Ascended is truly beyond redemption, especially after seeing one household that appeared surprisingly ordinary.
At dawn, Delano rushes to the chamber with alarming news. When Casteel and Kieran look outside, they discover something impossible: the sun is rising in the west instead of the east. The chapter ends with all three remembering the prophecy warning that the end would come from the west to destroy the east, confirming that the world's balance is beginning to break down in ways they never imagined.
Casteel and Kieran promise to help her remember her life if that happens. Both believe Kolis is the most likely explanation for the mysterious deaths of the Ascended. Isbeth's real objective remains unknown, but it's becoming increasingly clear she never intended to sacrifice Poppy. Casteel begins questioning whether every Ascended is equally guilty, though he still struggles to accept that possibility. The chapter ends with a world-changing event: the sun rises in the west, directly echoing the prophecy.
Prologue
The Primal
The chapter shifts to Poppy's perspective as she awakens from her Ascension. She knows only one thing with certainty: she is the Primal. Everything else—her identity, memories, and past—is hidden behind a thick fog. She is overwhelmed by intense hunger, pain, and instinct, while fragments of familiar voices and emotions linger just beyond her reach. When Casteel enters, she immediately recognizes him as someone deeply important, even if she cannot remember why. She feels an undeniable pull toward him, but at the same time, powerful instincts warn her that he is both dangerous and immensely powerful.
Casteel remains calm, introducing himself and patiently trying to help her remember who she is. Although Poppy cannot recall their life together, she instinctively calls him "Cas," remembers they are both Primals, and senses that he carries the power of Death while she embodies both Beginning and End. Their bond repeatedly breaks through her memory loss she recognizes his touch, feels drawn to him physically and emotionally, and refuses to feed on him despite overwhelming hunger. However, another darker voice inside her constantly urges her to distrust him, escape, and even kill him before he becomes stronger.
As Casteel gently reassures her that their love is the only thing preventing her instincts from harming him, Poppy begins believing him. But just as fragments of love and trust resurface, a buried memory suddenly unlocks. She remembers Duke Teerman, the man responsible for much of her childhood abuse, ending the chapter with the realization that not all of her memories are truly gone only buried.
Poppy awakens but has lost almost all of her memories. She remembers only that she is the Primal.She instinctively recognizes Casteel, even before remembering his name. She still calls him "Cas" without understanding why. Her love for Casteel remains strong enough to stop her from feeding on or attacking him. A mysterious inner voice repeatedly urges her to distrust and kill him. The first major memory to return is of Duke Teerman, suggesting her memories are buried rather than erased.
Prologue
The Primal
Poppy's memories remain fractured after awakening, making it difficult to distinguish reality from hallucinations. She repeatedly sees Duke Teerman, believing he is standing before her, reliving the abuse and manipulation he inflicted on her. At times, Casteel's appearance even shifts into Teerman's, causing her to believe Cas is lying to imprison her again. Driven by fear, survival instincts, and the mysterious dark voice in her mind, she attacks Casteel with everything she has in an attempt to escape. Despite her relentless attacks, Casteel never retaliates. He only blocks, restrains, and protects both her and himself while patiently trying to convince her that she is safe.
The fight becomes increasingly emotional rather than physical. Every time Poppy hurts Casteel, she feels conflicting emotions satisfaction mixed with guilt and sorrow she cannot explain. At the same time, flashes of their past together keep surfacing. She remembers intimate moments, recognizes that he was her first love, and feels overwhelming desire whenever she is close to him. Even Kieran senses she has awakened but wisely stays outside after Casteel warns that she would either flee or attack anyone who entered. Throughout everything, Casteel refuses to use force beyond restraining her and continues reminding her that he loves her and that she can trust him.
Eventually, Casteel offers his blood, knowing it is the only thing capable of stabilizing her after the Ascension. Poppy gives in and drinks from him. His blood clears the fog clouding her mind, allowing her memories of their relationship to flood back. She remembers who she is, remembers Casteel, and realizes how deeply she loves him. However, before she can fully recover, the sinister influence inside her resurfaces. Instead of stopping after feeding, she develops an uncontrollable urge to drain Casteel completely and kill him. As stale lilacs the scent of Death fill the room, the dark force nearly takes over. Someone suddenly intervenes, violently pulling Poppy away from Casteel before she can kill him, ending the chapter in chaos.
Poppy cannot distinguish reality from hallucinations, repeatedly seeing Duke Teerman instead of Casteel. Casteel refuses to hurt her despite being attacked repeatedly. Poppy slowly recovers memories through emotional and physical closeness with Casteel. Drinking Casteel's blood restores much of her identity and memories. Even after remembering everything, a dark force still pushes her to kill Casteel. Someone forcibly separates Poppy from Casteel before she drains him completely.
CHAPTER 3
Chapter 3
Poppy's memories remain fractured after awakening, making it difficult to distinguish reality from hallucinations. She repeatedly sees Duke Teerman, believing he is standing before her, reliving the abuse and manipulation he inflicted on her. At times, Casteel's appearance even shifts into Teerman's, causing her to believe Cas is lying to imprison her again. Driven by fear, survival instincts, and the mysterious dark voice in her mind, she attacks Casteel with everything she has in an attempt to escape. Despite her relentless attacks, Casteel never retaliates. He only blocks, restrains, and protects both her and himself while patiently trying to convince her that she is safe.
The fight becomes increasingly emotional rather than physical. Every time Poppy hurts Casteel, she feels conflicting emotions satisfaction mixed with guilt and sorrow she cannot explain. At the same time, flashes of their past together keep surfacing. She remembers intimate moments, recognizes that he was her first love, and feels overwhelming desire whenever she is close to him. Even Kieran senses she has awakened but wisely stays outside after Casteel warns that she would either flee or attack anyone who entered. Throughout everything, Casteel refuses to use force beyond restraining her and continues reminding her that he loves her and that she can trust him.
Eventually, Casteel offers his blood, knowing it is the only thing capable of stabilizing her after the Ascension. Poppy gives in and drinks from him. His blood clears the fog clouding her mind, allowing her memories of their relationship to flood back. She remembers who she is, remembers Casteel, and realizes how deeply she loves him. However, before she can fully recover, the sinister influence inside her resurfaces. Instead of stopping after feeding, she develops an uncontrollable urge to drain Casteel completely and kill him. As stale lilacs the scent of Death fill the room, the dark force nearly takes over. Someone suddenly intervenes, violently pulling Poppy away from Casteel before she can kill him, ending the chapter in chaos.
Casteel's new Primal abilities are becoming obvious—he can physically challenge a draken and manifests claws and powerful essence. Poppy briefly regains herself several times but repeatedly loses control to a darker influence. Reaver believes Kolis is somehow inside or connected to Poppy. Casteel realizes Kieran has been hiding something important. Kieran admits he promised Poppy he would place her into centuries-long stasis if she ever became too dangerous. Casteel sees this as a betrayal and attacks Kieran.
CHAPTER 4
Chapter 4
Casteel attacking Kieran over the promise he made to Poppy. Kieran doesn't fight back at first because he understands why Casteel is furious, but eventually admits he never wanted to make that promise—he only agreed because Poppy asked him to. Before the fight can escalate further, Poppy escapes the room. She blasts Casteel with eather, leaving him temporarily unable to move, while Kieran chases after her. Reaver follows, and together they stop Poppy before she can escape the castle. She severely wounds Reaver in the process but ultimately holds back from killing anyone, proving that despite everything, part of the real Poppy is still fighting the darkness inside her.
Back in the room, the three men finally think more rationally. They realize letting Poppy feed is too dangerous because if Kolis truly has influence over her, gaining more power could strengthen both her and whatever is inside her. Reaver volunteers to travel to Iliseeum and seek help from Seraphena, Nektas, or one of the older gods, hoping someone understands what is happening. Until then, he insists Poppy must be contained somewhere she cannot hurt herself or others. After initially refusing because he had once sworn never to imprison Poppy again, Casteel painfully accepts that there is no other choice.
Poppy is secretly moved into a comfortable underground cell with as many comforts as possible while keeping the situation hidden from everyone else. Delano notices that Casteel now carries the scent of Death while Kieran carries the scent of Life, confirming the Joining permanently changed them both. He also notices something is seriously wrong between Casteel and Kieran, though Casteel refuses to explain. Left alone with the sleeping Poppy, Casteel finally reflects on the betrayal he feels. He realizes he already knows why Poppy asked Kieran instead of him: because she knew he would never have the strength to stop her. Yet what hurts him most isn't the promise itself—it is the realization that Poppy never trusted him enough to share her deepest fear of losing control. That emotional wound cuts deeper than any physical injury.
Casteel and Kieran's friendship is badly damaged after the revelation of Kieran's promise. Poppy escapes but subconsciously holds back enough to avoid killing anyone. The group decides Poppy must not feed, since gaining more power could make the situation worse.Reaver confirms many ancient gods loyal to Kolis have also awakened, making the situation even more dangerous. Poppy is placed in a secure underground room for everyone's safety. Casteel realizes the true reason Poppy trusted Kieran with the promise instead of him.
Prologue
The Primal
She awakens imprisoned in a room with Casteel constantly watching over her, but she remembers very little. Her body is weak from not taking enough blood, and she is tormented by a voice whispering inside her head—Kolis. He constantly urges her to escape, feed, and surrender control, promising to end her pain if she lets him take over. Poppy realizes the whispers are not her own thoughts, and as long as she stays awake and resists, Kolis cannot fully possess her. The only thing anchoring her is Casteel's presence. Even though she cannot fully remember who he is, looking at him brings comfort, while getting too close awakens an overwhelming hunger to feed from him, so she deliberately keeps her distance to protect him.
Their quiet struggle is interrupted when Tawny repeatedly bangs on the door, demanding to see Poppy. Casteel tries to send her away, pretending everything is fine, but Tawny refuses to believe him. She correctly senses that something is terribly wrong after feeling the castle shake when Poppy awakened. Eventually, Casteel reluctantly admits that Poppy is awake but isn't herself and is struggling to remember anything. Listening from inside the room, Poppy realizes everyone knows something is wrong with her, even though she herself cannot fully understand what is happening.
Left alone again with the voice in her head, Poppy finally understands the truth. The whispers belong to Kolis, who is trying to manipulate her into surrendering. He promises freedom from pain, hunger, and fear if she simply gives in and lets him take control. He tempts her with visions of absolute power and destruction, showing her a future filled with blood, fire, and people kneeling before them. For the first time, Poppy consciously recognizes that Kolis isn't merely influencing her—he wants them to become one being, "flesh and bone." She continues resisting despite knowing every refusal increases her suffering.
The whispers inside Poppy's mind are confirmed to be Kolis, not her own thoughts. Poppy is consciously fighting him every second to stop him from taking control. Casteel stays beside her constantly, acting as her anchor despite her fragmented memories. Poppy deliberately avoids getting close to Casteel because she fears she will feed on him. Tawny discovers something is seriously wrong, though she still doesn't know the full truth. Kolis finally reveals his true goal: he wants Poppy to surrender so they can become one.
Prologue
Casteel
Casteel continues watching over Poppy, who remains trapped in a constant battle against Kolis. She has barely moved since awakening, refusing food, water, or even to leave the wall where she hides. When Casteel cautiously approaches, he senses not only her unbearable hunger but also overwhelming fear—and realizes, heartbreakingly, that she is afraid of him. Rather than forcing her, he patiently speaks to her, encouraging her to talk. As he reaches out with his senses, he discovers something even worse: beneath Poppy's own fear and hunger lies an emotionless, empty presence that isn't hers. It belongs to Kolis. The moment Casteel's rage flares, Kolis briefly takes control of Poppy's body. Speaking through her, Kolis declares that Poppy has "always been his," threatens to destroy everyone Casteel loves, and reveals he had been able to inhabit Duke Teerman whenever he wished. Casteel keeps his emotions under control to gather information instead of reacting, learning that Kolis is inside Poppy because "he wanted in" and she had no choice leading Casteel to suspect the Revenant's touch allowed Kolis to enter her.
After Kolis loses control, Poppy returns long enough to warn Casteel not to come too close because Kolis could take over again. Seeing that she's starving, Casteel gently offers her food. The first thing that catches her attention is, unsurprisingly, cheese. She slowly eats everything he brings, marking the first hopeful sign since she awakened. While cleaning her hands afterward, Casteel notices Poppy staring at his wedding band. When he reminds her of the inscription "Always and forever" she appears to silently mouth the words, hinting that some buried memories still remain. Once she finally falls asleep, Casteel leaves briefly and learns another shocking development: the Revenant he killed is not regenerating it is actually decaying. Since only draken blood is supposed to permanently kill a Revenant, this suggests Casteel himself now possesses powers far beyond what anyone understands.
Later, Kolis once again takes control of Poppy. This time he tries manipulation instead of threats, pretending to be weak, asking for comfort, begging to leave the room, and even attempting to seduce Casteel into freeing him. When none of it works, Kolis turns violent, using Poppy's own hands to claw at her face. Forced to protect her from herself, Casteel painfully restrains her wrists. Even as Poppy, under Kolis's control, begs him to stop, he refuses to release her, knowing Kolis is trying to manipulate him. After the struggle ends, Casteel realizes three critical truths: Kolis is currently weak, he is intentionally avoiding feeding because it would strengthen both himself and Poppy, and the battle between them is one of mutual starvation. The chapter ends with Casteel making one unshakable promise to himself—he will kill Kolis.
Kolis repeatedly takes control of Poppy but only for short periods, showing he is still weak. Kolis confirms he previously possessed Duke Teerman, explaining many mysteries from earlier books. Casteel suspects the Revenant's touch allowed Kolis to enter Poppy. Poppy finally eats, showing she is still fighting to survive. Poppy nearly remembers the words engraved on their wedding rings: "Always and forever." The Revenant Casteel killed is decaying instead of regenerating, something that should be impossible. Casteel realizes Kolis is deliberately refusing blood because feeding would strengthen Poppy as well.
CHAPTER 5
Chapter 5
While Casteel continues guarding Poppy, Malik unexpectedly arrives after hearing something is wrong. He immediately notices Casteel's changed appearance his eyes now contain visible strands of eatherand demands answers. Casteel finally admits that Poppy has awakened but doesn't remember herself, forcing him to keep her isolated for everyone's safety. Before they can discuss further, an enormous surge of Primal essence tears open the realm. Reaver has returned but not alone. An ancient Primal named Attes steps through. Everyone is stunned because Attes looks almost identical to Malik and the Da'Neer family, strongly suggesting he is one of their ancient ancestors. Despite Malik's distrust, Casteel allows Attes inside because Reaver sent him specifically to help Poppy.
Attes questions Casteel and Kieran about everything that has happened since Poppy awakened. They explain how she resisted feeding, temporarily regained control, and how Kolis occasionally takes over her body. Attes reveals that Kolis possesses terrifying mental abilities, allowing him to exploit a person's deepest fears and guilt rather than simply controlling them physically. He also explains that Poppy becoming weak during stasis and then weakening herself further through the completed Joining to save Casteel likely created the opportunity Kolis needed to strengthen his connection to her. However, Attes warns that separating Kolis from Poppy has only ever happened once before, and the possessed person died. Although he quickly clarifies that Poppy is different because she is a Primal and believes she can survive, the process will still cause her tremendous pain.
The most shocking revelation comes when Attes explains that for Kolis to possess someone so deeply, there must be a blood connection between them. Because Kolis created both the Ascended and Revenants, he remains linked to all of them. If an Ascended like Duke Teerman ever took Poppy's blood while serving Kolis or if Kolis's blood somehow entered her then a magical bond could have formed years ago without anyone realizing it. Casteel begins connecting countless clues from previous books: Teerman's obsession with Poppy, the nursery rhyme she heard as a child, the Revenant's identical words, and Reaver's mysterious warnings. He realizes Kolis may have been connected to Poppy for most of her life, with her weakened state finally allowing him full access. Overcome with guilt, Casteel blames himself because completing the Joining while Poppy was vulnerable may have unintentionally allowed Kolis to fully enter her. His rage becomes so powerful that crimson-shadowed essence pours from him and even Attes is shocked by the display. Finally, Attes says they must find Kolis's mark somewhere on Poppy's body before attempting to remove him, and all three prepare to enter the room knowing Kolis will likely fight through Poppy.
Attes, one of the oldest living Primals, arrives to help Poppy. Attes looks almost identical to Malik, revealing the Da'Neer family descends directly from him. Kolis uses psychological powers, exploiting fear, guilt, and trauma. The completed Joining likely weakened Poppy enough for Kolis to strengthen his hold. Removing Kolis is possible, but it will be extremely painful. Kolis likely formed a blood connection with Poppy long before the current events. Casteel realizes Kolis may have been influencing Poppy since childhood.
CURRENT READING CHECKPOINT
Where My Notes Stop
This is not the ending of the book. It is only the latest chapter included in my reading notes, so there are no accidental spoilers from anything I have not reached yet.
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