Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (Legacy #3)

3. Tessa

3

TESSA

S he may have been alone, but she didn’t mind. For the first time ever, she wandered around the Acropolis unaccompanied. She was being watched, of course. It was hard not to be noticed with a giant silver wolf at her side, but Roan had appeared the moment she’d stepped from the shadows and onto the street. Snow was gently drifting to the ground, and Tessa wrapped her arms tightly around herself. In her need to get out of the Tribunal building, she’d left her coat.

There was a large fountain in the center of the Acropolis, various enchantments keeping the water from freezing, and she stopped to watch it flow. A glittering sculpture of blacks and golds was in the center, water pouring from various locations. There was no rhyme or reason. It was just chaos feeding into the pool that had been sectioned off into six distinct areas, one for each kingdom.

Slowly, she circled it, her fingers dragging through the snow that was piling up on the lip of the fountain. A mosaic of what it was thought each god or goddess looked like was built into the bottom. Anala with her bright red-gold hair and golden eyes. Serafina with her silver hair and crown of white flames. Falein with her warm skin and black curls. Arius with his dark hair and emerald eyes and?—

Tessa gasped when she ran into someone. She started to splutter an apology and ask for forgiveness, the habit to take the blame for anything still ingrained in her being, but the words died on her tongue when she looked up.

The being she’d run into was wearing a cloak, the hood up and features hidden. They were tall, but the hand that had steadied her was unmistakably feminine. Before she could get a look, the figure stepped back, her fingers disappearing into the sleeve of the cloak once more. There was no pearlescent mask beneath the hood, and Roan wasn’t growling at her side. In fact, the wolf was sitting. His attention was pinned on the figure, but he was calm, clearly not sensing any danger.

Because this person wasn’t a member of the Augury.

This was the Keeper.

But that wasn’t possible because the Keeper who had awakened her power, who had spoken to her, who had called those around her fools, had been unmistakably male. It was said no one truly knew who or what the Keeper was. That the use of glamours and spells kept their identity ever changing, but the Keeper was also never seen outside the Pantheon.

“Who are you?” Tessa demanded, stepping back from the figure.

They only tilted their head, and she could feel them studying her.

She lifted a hand, lightning sparking between her fingers. She was past the days of not protecting herself, of blindly trusting, and of giving someone the benefit of the doubt. No, at this point she just assumed everyone wanted to use her, cage her, or sacrifice her. Perhaps all three.

“You will cause a scene,” the figure said, her voice as feminine as her touch had been.

Tessa slowly lowered her hand because she knew that voice. Definitely female, but harsh and unyielding.

“You are not the Keeper,” Tessa said, taking another step back.

“Am I not?”

“I… How are you here?”

“The same way you are here,” she answered.

“But I do not know how I am here.”

The female tsked from beneath her hood. “You know where your answers lie, daughter of wild and fury. You simply do not wish to have them.”

“That is not true,” she snarled, lurching forward as light arced from her palms. She directed it to the side a second before it could collide with the female, cracking the edge of the fountain.

“He has your answers,” the female replied calmly.

“He will not answer my questions,” Tessa argued.

She nodded. “He will not until he knows where you stand.”

Tessa growled in frustration, causing Roan to get to his feet and place himself between them.

“And still they guard you,” the female murmured so low Tessa barely heard her. “Perhaps all is not lost yet.”

“Perhaps everyone still underestimates me,” Tessa countered, a gust of wind blowing through the courtyard. Her golden hair blew across her face, snowflakes getting caught in the strands. She brushed them out of the way as a golden mist started floating up from the crack in the fountain lip. Seconds later, a Hunter stood beside her. Roan was growling now, but the female was backing up.

“You stand on the precipice of salvation and destruction, Tessalyn. Choose wisely.”

Then she was gone, disappearing into the very air. Tessa wasn’t remotely surprised she could Travel. It appeared one of Theon’s first actions as the acting Arius Lord was to rescind the banishment placed on Cienna that had been keeping her confined to the Underground to avoid Valter’s death sentence. But that meant everyone who believed the Keeper was one person was wrong. There was more than one, and as of this moment, she was perhaps the only one who knew that secret.

She smiled to herself as she filed that information away with all the other secrets she’d collected. She’d figure out who the other Keepers were. She already had ideas and would be able to test those theories in time. Brecken had let secrets of his own slip in that alleyway. And the Lords and Ladies? The tension between them was already growing. She could have stayed and witnessed more of that, but this information regarding the Keeper was worth missing out on that.

“You called, your grace?” the Hunter asked, his voice raspy and unearthly as it always was. She’d come to love it. It was as icy as her own soul had become.

He glided in front of her, his pale skin as white as the falling snow.

“You suggested visiting the Pantheon last night,” Tessa answered. “Is that still necessary?”

“He will see you, but you must find your way to him.”

“Then let’s go.”

“And the Arius blood I taste in the air?” the Hunter asked.

She shook her head, making her way to the Pantheon. “Not today. I cannot draw any more attention, especially once we’re inside.”

“Understood, your grace.”

There was a flash of light before he passed her a golden sword with a sheath that buckled across her chest. The sword settled between her shoulder blades as if it had always been a part of her. Always hers. Since the dawn of time.

People scattered, veering down side streets as she approached, and gods, it felt so good. She’d take the terror over the sneers and condescension. The guards at the Pantheon tried to bar her entrance as she approached, but as soon as her lips tilted up and her head canted to the side, they scrambled aside moments before her power struck where they’d been standing. These people would have turned her over solely for existing. She didn’t have it in her to care about morals anymore.

Then again, that wasn’t true either.

It wasn’t true as she strolled through the halls of the Pantheon, going deeper and deeper where no one was allowed but the priestesses. It wasn’t true as she came upon two of those priestesses with a male Fae who clearly didn’t want to be there. It wasn’t true when she didn’t hesitate to send her light arching and wrapping around their slender throats. It wasn’t true when the Hunter tried to tell her they were Zinta Legacy, and she silenced him with a single look before her power fed on the death she bestowed. It certainly wasn’t true as she bent to retrieve the male’s clothing and handed it to him, his trembling fingers closing around the fabric and his eyes staying fixed to the floor.

She crouched before him, tipping his head up with a single finger beneath his chin. “You can access the deepest parts of the Pantheon?” she asked, holding his hazel stare.

The Fae shook his head. “I can only go where the priestesses can. The deepest parts are reserved for the?—”

“Keeper,” Tessa interrupted. “Take me as far as you can go.”

He nodded, and Tessa stood, turning away while he got dressed. It wasn’t until he was leaving them at a passage that he stammered, “Thank you for… Just thank you…your grace.”

“Tell whoever you will of this,” she answered. “And let them know that should anyone else touch you in such a manner, I will return to bestow the same fate.”

The Fae’s face paled, but she was already striding down the narrow passage, the wards crackling against her skin but ultimately doing nothing to stop her.

Wards had never been an obstacle for her.

The Hunter was silent as they made their way deeper into the Pantheon, Roan having stayed outside. They’d had to avoid priestesses in the halls the Fae had led them down, but these passages were completely deserted. It wasn’t until they started winding downwards that her breathing grew shallow as she realized they were descending underground.

“Your grace?” the Hunter asked, pausing when she did.

She ignored him, breathing deep. She could feel them. They had felt her sudden spike in emotion, and both of them were pacing on the other side of that bond she was blocking. With another deep breath, she bent and removed her socks and boots, leaving them in the passage. Her toes curled against the cold stone beneath her, and she brought her hand to the wall, dragging her fingertips along the uneven surface.

One step in front of the other. Just focus on the next step.

Luka’s words from the Underground echoed in her mind, and she inhaled once more before she took that next step and the next and the next. The coolness of the stone kept her grounded, but she became so focused, her mental shields slipped.

That’s our girl.

She hissed out a curse as Luka’s voice clanged in her mind once more, and she realized her shields had slipped the moment she’d known she was going below ground. Those words hadn’t been memories, but him .

How do you even know where I am? she retorted down the bond. These were the first words she’d spoken down the thing since she’d left Theon on his knees in his room. Actually, the last time she’d exchanged words with Luka, they’d been coaxing her along as Augury members had led her through damp tunnels.

How fitting.

I don’t know where you are, Luka replied. But I do know when you are panicking, Tessa.

I don’t need either of you.

Ignoring that comment, he said, I do need to speak to you though. In person. Where are you?

I am not going to see you.

Tessa, it’s important.

No.

And with that, she hauled her mental shields back into place, blocking him out once more. It wasn’t lost on her that Theon hadn’t said a single word. She’d felt him there the entire time though. So had the bond. She’d spent these last weeks becoming so accustomed to the longing of the thing that it was more of a constant ache now. Something she’d become numb to, but she felt it now. Which was annoying.

Looking around, she found the passage they’d been following had emptied into a large chamber, and with another start, she realized she’d been here before.

No, wait.

Not here, but somewhere similar.

The Augury members had led her through a chamber like this, only there had been an altar in the middle. This circular chamber was much smaller and empty. There was nothing in here except for a large mirror.

Large probably wasn’t accurate.

It was taller than a doorway and arched along the top. Bordering it were various markings. As she ventured closer, she recognized some of them as the symbols of the gods, but there were other symbols she didn’t know.

“This is what the Keepers guard so heavily?” Tessa mused. “A mirror?”

“Things are not always what they appear,” the Hunter said, gliding forward.

“That is true,” she conceded, stepping closer still. Theon claimed he’d seen Scarlett in a mirror after all, but that mirror had been in the Underground from what she understood. She ran her fingertips along a few of the symbols, tracing them.

“Blood calls to blood,” the Hunter whispered in her ear when she reached the Achaz symbol of three interlocking triangles.

“What?” Tessa asked, turning to him. His pure white eyes glowed faintly. She’d grown used to the fact they didn’t have pupils. Or names, apparently. She’d asked once, but none of them responded. Considering they all looked exactly the same, it hadn’t surprised her.

“Blood calls to blood,” he repeated, pulling a gold dagger from the air that matched the sword at her back.

“I’m keeping this,” she said, taking the blade and weighing it in her hand.

“Of course, your grace,” he replied with a bow of his head. “But allow me.”

Taking the dagger back, he moved quickly, swiping the tip along her palm. She gasped, jerking her hand back as blood dripped to the stone floor.

“Blood calls to blood,” he said again, icy fingers clasping her wrist and tugging her hand towards the etched symbols.

She understood then, and the Hunter seemed to sense that, releasing his grip on her. She wasn’t entirely sure how they appeared to know what she was thinking or feeling. Studying the symbols, she hesitated for the briefest of moments when her eyes landed on the Arius symbol. He was her grandfather. Maybe she was more closely related to Arius than Achaz.

She had no idea what this was going to do. The gods were forbidden to interfere in Devram. Blood calls to blood could mean anything. She could summon another Arius or Achaz Legacy to the mirror from another realm. Maybe it would summon Scarlett. The queen was her cousin, after all.

Or maybe it would summon her father.

Or her mother.

The thoughts had her stepping back from the mirror. Her hand closed into a fist, blood seeping between her fingers.

But this might be her only chance to use this mirror. Could she call it a mirror? That seemed too simplistic for what it actually did.

“He will answer your call,” the Hunter whispered, those icy fingertips brushing along the nape of her neck. “He waits for you.”

With a surge of determination, she lurched forward, slamming her bleeding palm atop the Achaz symbol. This is what she wanted. This is what she needed . Answers. And if no one here would give them to her, then she’d go directly to the sources themselves.

Something began swirling in the mirror, images flashing among shadows and silvery light. They moved so quickly, they were blurs she couldn’t make out as she stepped back and watched.

“Does it always take this long?” Tessa asked after several minutes, the gash on her palm having long since healed.

But the Hunter didn’t answer, his attention fixed on the mirror as well.

Growing bored, she ventured closer again, studying some of the other symbols. She knew the main kingdoms and those of the other Legacy in Devram, but so many of these were foreign to her. A triangle inside a circle. A crescent moon atop a circle. One she could only describe as a tangled knot.

That was the one she was reaching to touch when a male voice said, “Not that one, child.”

Tessa lurched back, tripping on the skirt of her gown and landing hard on the stone floor. Her light flared, lightning bouncing across the floor as a golden shield erupted around her.

That was new.

But all thoughts left her mind as she lifted her eyes back to the mirror to meet blue eyes with brilliant flecks of gold. His entire being seemed to glow, light swirling around him the way it wound around her arms. He had a tanned complexion, and his golden hair—hair that matched her own—reached nearly to his chin. And gods, he was tall. There was no question that she was looking upon a god.

The god of light and beginnings.

Achaz.

“Well done, Hunter,” the god said. “You have managed to find what no one else has been able to.”

The Hunter bowed deeply. “My purpose is to please you, my king.”

Tessa had managed to get back to her feet, and she fidgeted, fighting every impulse to drop to a knee before the god. She wasn’t a Legacy, but she sure as fuck wasn’t a goddess. And Achaz was the ruler of the gods.

As though he could read her thoughts, Achaz said, “You do not bow? Has such consideration truly been lost in that realm?”

“Perhaps such consideration was lost when the gods abandoned the realm and left it to its own demise,” she retorted.

Regret immediately surged through her at the impulsiveness. So typical of her, and to a god of all people. But she’d already said it, and even if she’d wanted to apologize, she couldn’t force the words to pass her lips.

Achaz was staring at her, the gold flecks in his eyes luminous with pure power. His lips were pressed into a thin line, and it was only then that she noticed the golden hilt of a sword peeking over his shoulder. His entire being was elegance and grace, from the fine clothing to the way his power took on the faint shape of wings behind him.

When he’d appeared to finally accept she would not offer an apology or ask for forgiveness, he said, “I see.” Then he added, “Such arrogance comes from your father’s side.”

She doubted that. Tessa had a feeling all the gods were born with such arrogance.

Still she said nothing, waiting for him to speak first. She’d found if she waited long enough, others tended to reveal their secrets without her having to do much of anything.

Watch. Listen. Learn everything you can about the people in this room.

Theon had taught her that, and she’d be lying if she said it hadn’t served her well these past months.

“The tenacity, however,” Achaz said after another long minute of watching her, “you get from my line.”

“I imagine so if you have held a grudge for centuries,” she quipped.

“You know nothing of what you speak,” he replied coolly.

Tessa shrugged. “I know you need me more than I need you.”

“And what makes you believe such a thing?”

She stepped up close, rapping her knuckles against the glass. “I’m not stuck on the other side of a mirror.”

“A mirror? Is that what you think this is?” Achaz asked, a thread of amusement in his voice. “These are vessels of power. They were not always this, but it’s what they have become over time.”

“How?”

“I am not here to give you history lessons,” he snapped, growing agitated.

By the Fates, his moods were more fickle than Theon’s.

“Then why are you here?” she asked, for once not matching his tone, but sounding calm and bored as she idly began tracing the etchings around the mirror again.

“To make sure you understand your purpose.”

The words made her pause for the briefest of moments as her fingers hovered over the Arius symbol.

“My purpose is to correct the balance,” she said, her tone taking on an eerie ring.

“That it is,” Achaz agreed, and she could hear just how pleased he was with that answer. “And tell me, granddaughter, what does correcting the balance mean?”

Granddaughter.

The familial term did something to her, and she couldn’t decide if it made her want to draw closer to a blooded relative or shrink away from a god. But more than any of that, it was a confirmation she’d been seeking.

Tessa stepped back from the mirror, clearing her throat softly. “You wish for the Arius line to be eradicated for breaking laws of old.”

“Very good,” he praised.

“But did you not do the same? Should I even be standing before you?”

The approval on the god’s face quickly morphed into annoyance. “When Arius broke the laws, I had no choice but to follow.”

“And if his line is erased, what of your own? Would it not stand to reason that the balance would then be tipped in the other direction?”

“You forget who I am, child,” Achaz replied, his voice going dangerously low. “You think I have not already thought of these things? Arrangements have already been made to correct such a balance.” Before she could speak the question forming on her tongue, he added, “You are not privy to the dealings of gods and chaos.”

She snapped her mouth shut, familiar fury starting to build.

It’s not your place to know.

Same words, different meaning. She was still a vessel being used. She wasn’t stupid.

“And my mother?” Tessa asked, trying to sound nonchalant, but she was desperate to put these final pieces of her lineage together. To know where she came from, and what she was, and why this was her purpose.

Achaz’s head canted to the side. “What of her?”

“Who is she?”

The smile that filled the god’s face immediately told her she’d revealed too much. He saw right through her false indifference.

“Fulfill your purpose, granddaughter, and I will bring you to her,” he said.

“What?” Tessa stammered. “How… You cannot come here.”

“No,” Achaz agreed. “Not at this time anyway. But you, blood of my blood? You have the power to change that, don’t you? And beyond that, even if I can never step foot in Devram, you can certainly leave the realm.”

“How?”

“Fulfill your destiny. Find me again when it is done,” was all he said before his image started fading.

“Wait!” Tessa cried, lurching forward once more and pressing her hands to the glass.

But he was gone, and she was left alone all over again.

It took her a few minutes, her brow pressed to the cool glass as she worked to stifle the fury and power pressing at her soul. But when she stepped back from the mirror, she smoothed her hands down her dress and made her way back out of the Pantheon. She needed to get back to the Tribunal building anyway.

Roan was waiting for her, falling into step beside her as the three of them wound their way through the Acropolis streets once more. Every footfall was filled with renewed determination.

Fulfill her purpose.

Collect more currency.

Correct the balance.

All of this was reckless and impulsive and wild. But that was exactly what she needed to be if she expected to survive.

Because she’d stopped playing the games of the Legacy and had entered an arena with gods, and if she failed, her only purpose was death.