Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (Legacy #3)

10. Tessa

10

TESSA

S he slipped from the bed without so much as a word or a backwards glance. She knew he was awake. He always woke before her and was usually up and busying himself around the room by the time she woke. But not this morning. He was still there, letting her curl into his side, and gods, she’d slept . A deep sleep with no dreams or visions. He had stayed in that bed for her, and she didn’t want to think about why.

Or about how her stomach did unacceptable things if she thought about it for too long.

But she needed to get up and get back to her own room before Oralia showed up like she did every morning.

With a steadying breath, she summoned a portal and stepped through. Her chest tightened at the fact that he didn’t even try to stop her, but she’d say that was the bond.

Because she didn’t care.

Dropping the nightclothes to her floor, she pulled the band from her hair and ran a hand through it. She felt more centered. Less chaotic. More balanced.

She supposed a full night’s rest would do that for a person.

She’d taken a whole two steps towards her bathroom when a voice made her jump and sent her heart to her throat.

“This is what you’re doing now?”

She whirled, a hand on her chest. “Gods, Dex,” she gasped. “What are you doing in here? And in the dark no less?”

“I was hoping I was going to prove Oralia wrong, but here you are,” he answered from where he sat in an armchair. There weren’t any lights on, but the fireplace was still on a low setting, casting dancing shadows across his features.

“What are you talking about?” she asked.

“You’re wearing his shirt, Tessa,” he said with a pointed look.

She looked down, suddenly remembering she was still wearing Luka’s shirt. It stopped mid-thigh and was only half buttoned, just enough to keep her breasts covered.

Wrapping it tighter around herself, she pursed her lips, refusing to look at Dex.

“What are you doing, Tessa?” he demanded, pushing to his feet.

He rounded the sofa, stopping in front of her. His crisp, white shirt was paired with dark pants, and why was he dressed already? The sun wasn’t even up yet.

“What are you doing?” he repeated.

“If you must know, I was going to use the bathroom,” she answered, gesturing to the doorway across the room.

Dex rolled his eyes. “What are you doing with him ? This is exactly why we didn’t even want you to see him. Then you told him he could stay?”

“I didn’t tell him anything,” she snapped, jabbing her finger into his chest. “Rordan told him he could stay here. Not me.”

“If you would have let me handle it when he showed up, none of this would have happened,” he retorted. “How do you manage to mess with everything all the godsdamn time?”

A harsh laugh of disbelief came from her, and she took a step back from him. “You mean why do you always have to clean up after me, right?”

“That’s not?—”

“For your information, there’s nothing to clean up here,” she cut in. “I didn’t fuck up anything. Unless there are things you haven’t told me? In which case, that’s on you for keeping those things from me.”

“You’re missing the point, Tessa,” Dex growled, pinching the bridge of his nose.

“No, you’re missing the point,” she retorted. “How do I know if I’m messing with anything if I don’t know there’s anything to mess with?”

“You just need to trust us,” he said, throwing his hands up in frustration.

“You know I don’t blindly trust anyone.”

“I’m not just anyone,” he spat. “Or I wasn’t just anyone until he came along.”

“Theon has nothing to do with this, and neither does Luka.”

A derisive scoff came from him before he said, “You’re wearing his godsdamn shirt, Tessa.”

“I needed to sleep, Dex! I haven’t been able to sleep since I came here,” she cried.

“Have you been drinking the tea that the Lord suggested?”

“I…” But she trailed off because she hadn’t drunk it for several nights. Sure, she slept when she drank it, but it wasn’t a restful sleep. In fact, she was almost more tired when she woke. Her dreams were more vivid, more intense, and she felt even more out of sorts afterwards.

“That’s what I thought,” Dex sniped. “We try to help, but you won’t let us. Instead, you go back to them. You forget your purpose?—”

“I’ve forgotten nothing,” she spat, her palms landing on his chest and shoving hard. Her power poured from her, throwing Dex backwards. Except she wasn’t in control, just like Luka accused her of, and she was thrown back with the force of it too. The sound of bodies hitting furniture echoed around them, and she sucked in a breath as pain shot up her spine and ricocheted down her arms. It took her a few moments before she rolled to her knees.

She found Dex already on his feet, making his way to her. His shirt was ripped from the surge of unexpected power, and his dark brown hair was mussed and askew.

“Tessie,” he sighed. “Are you all right?”

He reached for her, helping her to her feet.

“I’m fine,” she muttered, jerking her arm from his grasp and tugging down Luka’s shirt.

He took her face in his hands, tilting her head back. She looked into dark eyes she’d once trusted with her world. When had that changed? When had she become more suspicious of him rather than believing he only wanted what was best for her?

“For the past several years I told you to be who they wanted you to be now so you could be who you were meant to be later,” he said. “It’s later, Tessie. You know your purpose. Focus on that. Let us worry about the rest.”

“Did you always know?” she asked, her tone flat and monotone.

“Did I always know what?” he asked, reaching to tuck her hair behind her ear.

“About me?”

He paused, his fingertips still in her hair. “I always knew you were meant for more, Tessie. I just needed you to believe that too.”

“But did you know about me ?” she insisted. “My power. What I am. That I was Achaz blood and— That I was this.”

His eyes narrowed. “Do you know your lineage, Tessa?”

“Do you?”

“Only what Lord Jove knows,” he answered. “Did I always believe you were more? Yes. But I couldn’t know how much until your power was allowed to emerge. And I was right, wasn’t I?”

“I guess,” she muttered.

“So focus on your destiny, Tessa.”

“Right,” she said, eyes darting to the side.

“It’s not with them. I thought you’d accepted that.”

“I did.”

“Then start acting like it,” he said, his tone hardening once more as he dropped his hands.

She glared up at him. “Get out, Dexter.”

“Take a shower and get his scent off of you,” he retorted, striding to the door. “I’ll have breakfast waiting for you.”

She watched him walk away, the back of his white shirt more shredded than the front had been. Once he’d slammed the door shut behind him, she made her way across the room to the off-white feather on the floor. Picking it up, she ran a single finger along the soft barbs. Once. Twice.

She carried it with her into the bathroom, turning it over in her hand and studying it. It wasn’t until she was ready to get in the shower that she carefully set it aside on the countertop before undoing the few buttons of Luka’s shirt. She folded it, tucking it into the back of a linen cupboard in her bathroom. Closing the cupboard door, she felt him down the bond. Not Luka, but Theon. The same hesitant caress she’d felt the night she’d taunted him.

For whatever reason—likely to be defiant of everything Dex had just berated her for—she answered.

What? she demanded

I felt you minutes ago. Are you all right?

It’d been a few days since she’d heard his voice, and the sound of it in her mind had the bond immediately stretching and aching in a way she hadn’t experienced since that night. Sleeping beside Luka had soothed one part of it, but this other part? It would always want Theon unless she could figure out a way to sever their bond.

Tessa? Are you hurt? his voice came again, but all she could think about was Dex’s accusing words and how he was right. She was losing focus.

Correct the balance.

Fulfill her destiny.

Leave this forsaken world behind forever.

Answer him, temptress, or I’ll be banging on your door in minutes to see for myself you aren’t dying, came Luka’s rough growl down the bond.

Don’t bother , she retorted. I won’t be here.

So you’re not hurt? Theon asked, and he sounded…distracted? What was he doing?

It didn’t matter. She couldn’t care.

No, I’m not hurt, but even if I was, I’m not yours to worry about anymore, she sneered in response.

The silence stretched on for so long, she thought he’d actually given up on her for once. But then?—

You’ve forgotten, Theon said.

Forgotten what?

That I’ll always fight for you. You’ll forever be mine.

She made her way down the cool, white marble steps, her fingers dragging along the wall. The orbs of golden light lit her way, Roan and Nylah padding along at her sides. They were a comforting presence in the chaos of her world.

She’d showered and gotten ready for the day. Not in training clothes as would be expected of her, but in a pair of leggings and a soft grey sweater. For a moment, she’d contemplated putting Luka’s shirt back on just to spite Dex at this point, but his scent would distract her from what she had to do today.

Oralia had never shown up in her room like she had every other morning. Tessa could only assume that Dex had told her not to. She hadn’t missed the way he’d paused mid-bite when she entered the dining room, her bare feet soundless on the floor and her hair loose and still damp.

She also hadn’t missed that he was sitting at the table, a premade plate for her beside him. Rordan wasn’t there, but Dagian was. Sasha, his Source, was seated beside him, her eyes fixed on her food. The Achaz Heir didn’t say a word the entire meal. No one did. The tension in the air had been thick, and when Tessa had excused herself after only a few bites of food, no one tried to stop her.

Training with Odessa was usually next in her new daily routine, but she wasn’t about to go train with Luka this morning. She may have slept beside him all night, but she was still furious he’d gone around her to Rordan. If he thought she was just going to accept this arrangement that had been made, he was sorely mistaken.

Lifting her hand, she pulled the feather from a swirl of light, twirling the quill between her thumb and forefinger. She passed several of the glass cells, most of them empty, before coming to a stop in front of Valter’s.

The Lord’s hair was a little longer now, resembling his younger son more than his eldest. His dark hazel eyes glared at her from where he sat on a small cot. The bands on his wrists had made the skin around them red and raw, and her lips tipped up at the sight of it. He had a little more room to move about compared to the prisoner at the end of the passage. Valter could at least pace the length of his small space and have his piss bucket on the other side of the cell.

“Where is Eviana?” Valter demanded, still sounding like the Lord he no longer was.

“I already told you she is fine,” Tessa replied, tilting her head as she continued to twirl the feather. “I know you can communicate with her.”

“I want to see her,” he replied.

She huffed a small laugh. “And draw from her in a useless attempt to try to get out of this cell? I think not.”

“What I do with my Source is not your concern,” he retorted.

“Apparently it is since I can control if you see her,” Tessa said. “Do you know what this is?”

Valter’s eyes darted to the feather she waved in front of the glass, but he said nothing.

“I suppose my question should be: do you know of any beings with feathered wings? Beings who can banish their wings like you can banish yours?”

He gave her a dark, dry look. “Surely you are not this stupid.”

“Not at all,” she replied with a simpering smile. “In fact, your son finds me quite clever.”

“Then why in the realm would you expect me to answer a question when you will not let me see Eviana? This is about negotiations, Tessalyn,” he said.

Nylah let out a low growl at his tone that was somewhere between menacing and conceited, and Roan pressed against her leg.

“Negotiations,” she repeated, sending the feather away with her magic before placing a hand against the glass of the cell. It flickered, light and energy dancing across the pane, but she absorbed it, drawing it all to the space beneath her palm. “You would like something in return?”

“Yes,” Valter sneered. “I would like to see Eviana.”

“That’s not possible,” Tessa replied, faux sympathy in her voice as power continued to pool beneath her hand.

“What are you doing?” Valter asked, his gaze darting to the swelling magic.

“The thing is, I’m really not sure,” she replied, her head tilting as she watched the power grow.

“Well, stop,” he demanded.

“Is this the negotiating part?”

“What? No. This is…”

She smiled darkly as he trailed off.

“I don’t know anything about the fucking feather,” Valter said, his gaze fixed on where her hand was connected to the window.

“Oh, that’s fine,” she chirped. “I think someone else down here will be able to answer those questions. I need to know about Axel.”

“Axel?” Valter repeated.

“Yes,” she drawled. “You know, your other son?”

“What do you want with him?”

“I did not think you were a forgetful person considering the grudge you have held for decades,” she mused.

She flexed her fingers against the glass, and the magic shuddered around the movement. Valter’s eyes widened, the color draining from his face.

“Are you?” she pressed.

His gaze flicked to hers, but when it went right back to the glass, she pressed her other hand to the smooth surface.

“What are you doing?” he repeated.

“You truly are absent-minded, aren’t you? I already told you I have no idea what this will do, just as I told you before that I would be the downfall of your entire bloodline. That includes Axel, and I’m told you have him hidden away somewhere,” Tessa said, the power in her veins vibrating with the additional magic she was channeling into it.

“I will not tell you where he is just so you can kill him,” Valter said, a slight tremor in his voice.

“Because you are such a loving and caring father,” she said sarcastically, feeling the power that sparked in her eyes. “You only want him for leverage.”

“Which is what I have right now,” he replied, his chin lifting an inch with the words. “You just gave me the upper hand.”

“No, my Lord ,” she said, her tone as icy as death and the darkness she hated. “I still have that.”

With a push of power, the light and energy she’d been hoarding refracted across the glass and straight into his cell. Rays of magic burst forth, striking the Arius Lord from all angles as they bounced around the glass and marble cell.

Truthfully, she hadn’t known what would happen when she placed her hand on that glass. She didn’t know what she was doing; she never did.

Impulsive.

Uncontrollable.

Wild.

It was what was expected of her, so she continued to lean into it. Valter’s screams of agony on the other side of the glass only fed her. Her heart was pounding with the adrenaline rush of having someone so powerful at her mercy. Someone who had demanded she be caged. Tamed. Someone who had suggested she be used for securing deals, and who believed her sole purpose was to serve at the feet of the Legacy.

When the enchanted cell absorbed the last of her power as it bounced against the glass, she saw him on the floor, curled in on himself. His clothing had holes, and there were dark spots splattered across the material of his pants and shirt from the various cuts on his visible skin.

Bringing her hand back to the glass, she drummed her fingers along the surface once. Twice. Three times before she placed her hand flat against it again, energy immediately surging towards it.

“Don’t!” Valter gasped, pushing onto his hands and knees.

Even from here she could see his arms trembling with the effort.

Pulling her hand away, she asked in a calm, collected tone, “Where is Axel?”

“My advisors took him,” he panted, his face taking on a greenish hue as though he may vomit.

“Took him where?”

“To the Underground.”

“ Where in the Underground?” she said tightly, dragging a single finger along the glass.

But Valter shook his head, spitting red onto the floor. “I don’t?—”

“Don’t tell me you don’t know,” she snapped, a jolt of power ricocheting into the cell. It hit Valter in the side in the exact place she’d once witnessed him stab Theon. He collapsed onto his front again, his chin hitting the floor, and she heard his curse as his teeth sank into his lip. “You’re going to tell me, my Lord . And do you know why?” She didn’t give him a chance to answer before she continued. “Because you value your own comfort and safety over that of your son’s. You will tell me because you would rather me find him, knowing full well it will be the end of his life, rather than endure discomfort to save him from that fate.”

Valter shook his head again, struggling back onto his hands and knees.

“Oh, yes. Because you still think you will find a way out of this. You still think you can win. You sit in this cell all day and night, planning and scheming. But here’s a secret for you, Valter ,” she purred. She stepped so close to the glass she could see her breath on it when she said, “I’ve become so numb, I can’t feel anything anymore, and unlike you, I’m not afraid to die.”

Tessa slammed her palms to the glass, letting her power free. The light in the cell now was so blinding, she couldn’t see the Arius Lord, but she could feel her power feasting. She could feel it sinking into his soul, burrowing deep, and taking, taking, taking.

Roan and Nylah were on their feet, one growling and one letting out a soft, low whine.

It took mere seconds before Valter was screaming, and something in the back of her mind was telling her they couldn’t kill him, not yet. They still needed him.

So she pulled her power back, leaving Valter panting in the middle of his cell. His shirt was nothing but scraps of fabric now, his torso riddled with deep cuts and burns.

“Do you have something to tell me?” she asked, tapping a finger on the glass.

Valter flinched with each tap, and each wince made her smile grow.

“I have a place in the Leisure District. I pay the Alpha and Beta enough to buy their secrecy. You’ll have to pay them more for their betrayal,” he answered. He turned then, eyes full of hatred as he added with a sneer, “Good luck.”

“Thank you,” she replied, trailing her fingers along the pane as she took a few steps away. “I’ll see you again soon, Valter .”

She left him there, not caring if and when he got aid for the injuries. The bands would prevent him from healing himself, so a Healer would be needed. That was someone else’s problem to worry about.

Tessa, where are you? came Luka’s growl down the bond.

Her shields must have slipped while she’d been…busy.

That’s none of your concern, she replied, continuing down the passage.

Is this not your usual training time?

It is, but thanks to you, I no longer have a trainer.

Tessa…

The warning rumble in his tone had her nearly tripping over nothing and her stomach doing those unacceptable things yet again.

You said someone close to my power levels should be training me. Until that person is found, I have better things to be doing.

Tessa, when I find you ? —

But she shut him out, slamming the shield back in place as she stopped before the last cell on the left.

He sat where he’d been the only other time she’d come down here. His long brown hair reached well past his shoulders, still a mess of tangled knots. His facial hair was a little longer, but not by much. Shirtless, she could see the Marks that ran the entire length of his left arm. That large onyx ring on his finger was a stark contrast to the manacle of pure white stone at his throat, the flecks of gold shimmering in the faint light of his cell.

And his sapphire eyes were already pinned on her.

With an exaggerated flourish, she sank to the floor, sitting in the same place she had last time. The male arched a brow, his lips twitching as he clearly fought a smirk.

Just like another always did.

Roan settled down beside her, his head in her lap, but Nylah was pacing back and forth before the cell, her nose to the floor as if searching for something.

“How did you come to be in that cell?” she asked, stroking her fingers through Roan’s fur.

The male watched her for a long time before finally saying, “I heard you torturing the Arius Lord, and now you come to me for casual conversation?”

“Is that a problem?” she challenged.

The male shrugged. “Depends on your motivations.”

“I’m collecting currency,” she replied, leaning back on her hands.

“And what have you learned?”

Tessa shrugged, lifting a hand to pull the feather from a swirl of golden mist. “Do you know what being might have feathered wings?”

The male stretched his legs out, crossing them at the ankles. “The Arius Lord was right. You know nothing of negotiating,” he said, tipping his head back against the wall.

“The Arius Lord is currently bleeding and in agony at having some of his soul ripped from his veins by my light,” she snapped, lurching forward. “I know how to negotiate just fine.”

The male slowly lowered his chin, his gaze finding hers once more.

Tessa cleared her throat, running a fingertip along the feather barbs. “I am well aware that such methods would likely be ineffective with you.”

“Because you are clever like her,” he replied.

She paused at that comment, but forced herself to focus on her task.

“I believe we can come to…some sort of agreement,” she went on.

“And why would I make an agreement with you?” he asked, eyes narrowing.

“Because unlike the Arius Lord and the conversation you so rudely eavesdropped on?—”

“It is rather hard not to overhear things down here,” he interrupted.

“Either way, I would venture to guess that unlike the Arius Lord, you are an honorable father,” she continued, turning the feather over in her hand. But she saw it in her periphery. She saw the way the male went still. “I imagine that while Valter gave up his secrets to damn his son and save himself from a little pain, you will do the exact opposite.” She lifted her gaze to his. “Am I right?”

The male said nothing, but the hard look in his eyes was answer enough. If she felt anything anymore, she’d probably shrink back from that look. Too bad she was as soulless as she’d just told Valter. This was as much a reminder to herself as it was to everyone else.

“Wonderful. I have your attention,” she said, twisting so she sat on her knees. “But to make sure we understand each other, I sleep beside him. I kept him from being locked in one of these cells, albeit that was admittedly because I couldn’t have him learning about you just yet. I am his protection in this place now.”

“And if I tell you information, you will make sure no harm comes to my son?” the male said, his hands clenched into fists atop his thighs.

“If you tell me accurate and truthful information , ” she emphasized. “Then yes, I agree to keep harm from your son to the best of my ability. Do we have an accord?”

Sapphire eyes bored into hers. Nylah was still sniffing along the floor at the base of his cell, and Roan lifted his head, looking at the male.

“It’s a bargain,” the male said.

And Tessa felt the words imprint on her skin. Turning her wrist over, she saw the Mark on the inside of it.

“You are still on the path of destruction,” the male said grimly, studying his own new Mark.

She sent him an icy smile, and her voice held that eerie ring to it as she said, “If this is my destruction, then I’ll make sure the world burns with me.”