Chapter Twenty-Eight

Casteel brings Poppy to a vine-draped home to meet Kieran’s sister, Vonetta. Amid teasing banter about Poppy learning to ride and earlier intimacy from feeding, Vonetta welcomes her. When Poppy and Vonetta touch, Vonetta feels a strange static charge, echoing earlier odd sensations others reported on contact with Poppy.

Inside, they share lemonade and sandwiches while discussing Spessa’s End, its rebuilding, and Vonetta’s guard role. The easy camaraderie highlights Casteel’s long bond with the siblings and contrasts with Poppy’s isolated past. Conversation turns to Poppy’s scent; to the wolven, she smells “old,” and Casteel notes her blood tastes unusually rich and powerful for a half-Atlantian.

A sudden crash interrupts. Alastir rushes in with a badly injured Beckett, whose hind legs are likely broken. With Healer Talia away, Casteel urges Beckett to shift before the bones set, but pain prevents it. Despite warnings about approaching a hurt wolven, Poppy kneels to help, opening her gift to soothe his agony.

As Poppy lays her hands on Beckett, a visible glow blooms from her palms, astonishing onlookers. Beckett’s breathing steadies and his pain diminishes, enabling the chance to shift and be treated. Casteel quietly realizes the phenomenon extends beyond her hands, telling Poppy she is glowing, publicly revealing the growing mystery and scope of her power.