Chapter Sixteen

Poppy endures excruciating pain as Lord Chaney bites her in a carriage, triggering panic and rage. She fights back with a knife, stabbing Chaney repeatedly until the door is ripped open and Casteel pulls Chaney away. Disoriented, Poppy keeps striking until Casteel calms her and confirms he tracked her by her abandoned dagger.

Casteel assesses Poppy’s injuries and admits he feared she would die from the vampry’s bloodlust. He carries her back to the keep, gives her his blood, and uses compulsion to help her sleep. Poppy wakes healed and learns Magda changed her clothes; Casteel confirms he interrogated Chaney and that Atlantian blood is dangerously enticing to Ascended.

Discussing the attack, Casteel reveals he killed the cruel knight and that Elijah wounded Chaney before Chaney fled. Poppy’s hope collapses when Casteel tells her the hostage boy, Renfern Octis, was killed—his neck snapped without being fed upon. Grieving and angry, Poppy questions the senseless brutality and hears Renfern had been orphaned and raised by relatives.

Poppy apologizes for comparing Casteel to the Ascended; he admits sharing blood with mortals is forbidden but chose to heal her. They consider the risks and secrecy of such healing, and Casteel explains they must leave soon once the roads are clear and the keep is secure.

Determined to act, Poppy insists on using her abilities to ease the injured despite local distrust. After brief resistance, Casteel relents, agreeing she can help the wounded while they prepare for departure.