Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance (Legacy #3)

14. Tessa

14

TESSA

S he stepped onto the bank of the Wynfell River just outside the Acropolis in the Arius Kingdom. Tessa didn’t know why she’d come here. Going back to Faven would have been the wise thing to do, but her power was still too restless and angry, and she couldn’t get it under control.

Her bare feet sank into the snow that had accumulated, but she didn’t feel the cold as it tried to seep into her bones. The hem of her dress was immediately soaked, wet fabric sticking to her shins and ankles. Threads of light still wound around the length of her arms, her chest, her stomach. Each footstep was echoed by lightning, and not that she had anyone she could admit it to, but she was becoming rather alarmed at the fact that she couldn’t rein this power in.

Useless.

That was what she was with this power. Utterly useless.

Yes, she was stronger than Theon. Yes, she had a theory that she was the most powerful being in Devram, but she would have lost that fight with Theon in the end. All he’d done was defend himself. The little power he had used against her wasn’t the full extent of what he could do. That was evident by the way he’d let it manifest around him, and that had been…intoxicating. It was the only word she could think of to describe how Theon had looked with his darkness drifting around him, shadow wings spread wide. She hadn’t been able to tear her eyes away. And her magic?

Gods, her power had wanted as much as she had, and it had tried to take. It had lunged for him, snapping any leash she had on it. Theon had met it blow for blow, wielding his darkness with a precision and skill she couldn’t even fathom having. It shouldn’t have surprised her. His goal was to have control over everything. Of course he would have complete control over his magic before he’d even reached thirty years. He wasn’t even that much older than she was. Five years at the most. She certainly couldn’t use the excuse that it was because her power was more extensive when she had just witnessed what still couldn’t have been the full extent of his. What would it have been like if he had eventually drawn from her?

Mud was squelching between her toes. She'd worn a path where she was pacing next to the partially frozen river. Her dress was now not only wet, but dirty. Her power was still tangled around her. She usually loved it when her magic did this. It made her feel safe and guarded. She didn't need to depend on someone else to protect her. She had her light. That was all she needed. But now she felt…chaotic.

Out of control.

Impulsive.

Wild.

And the urge to just give in, to let her magic have its way for good, was so strong as it writhed in her soul, demanding more and more of her. Taking what it wanted. She remembered Theon once telling her that if she let it, her magic would consume her until there was nothing left.

Nothing left didn’t sound so bad…

That thought bounced around her head as she slowly turned to the river. The water near the banks was frozen, but the current in the middle was violent, breaking off chunks of ice as it moved. Could she even drown? How do you kill the daughter of a god?

No, Tessa , came a growl down their bond. At the same time a dark voice said, Don’t you dare, little storm.

She shook her head, the sounds of their voices quieting her chaotic thoughts. She didn’t want to cross the Veil. At one point in her life, maybe, but not now. Not most days anyway.

"What do we have here?" came a croon that had Tessa spinning. "A little Source where she shouldn't be?"

She watched as a tall, wiry figure slunk from the shadows, wearing some sort of long cape. It had a hood that was pulled up, keeping his face hidden from the sun. In fact, not an inch of flesh was visible, and that only confirmed to Tessa what she already knew: he was a Night Child.

"I'm not a Source," she retorted, her light converging in her hands, energy sparking.

"Maybe not to the Arius Lord, but you are a source of something," he answered, stalking closer.

"Who sent you?" she demanded, remembering how Theon had told her the vampyres were often hired as mercenaries.

The male tutted disapprovingly. "You know I cannot betray my employer. Even if I wanted to, a Secrecy Mark prevents me from uttering a single word."

The sound of snow crunching underfoot had Tessa turning to find another vampyre appearing. And another. And another. This was the Underground all over again, except this time, she was by herself.

Her heart hammered as they drifted closer, her power vibrating around her. She'd expended a decent amount with Theon, and now her magic was ready to feast and refill. She had no control over it, and a part of her didn't care. Her light flared out in a wide radius, the Night Children hissing and flinching back.

"He betrayed his own people by bonding with you," the leader of the group seethed. “For a decade they have preached to us of freedoms. They have told us they see us as more than the rest of the realm views us. Then he brings you to the Underground with all that godsdamn light, proving what we’ve always suspected.”

"So you turned on him and partnered with another?" Tessa sneered.

"Clever little source," he crooned, daring to slink closer. "I still won't tell you who."

She gave him a simpering smile. "Then I guess my light will search your darkness for the answer."

She tried to direct her power where she wanted it to go, like that day in the training arena when Luka had popped up behind her and talked her through it. She turned her hand, trying to get the positioning just right, but when the power arced, it hit too far to the left.

The vampyre stared at the spot for a long moment, and then he laughed, the others joining in. "Here we were worried," he replied, pulling back his hood and baring teeth with canines that were too long. "But I know you're going to taste divine as I drain the life from you."

"You can't kill me," she retorted. "I'm not a Legacy."

"No, but you are the death of this realm," he returned, and then they attacked.

Any semblance of an organized defense evaporated as she descended into panic. Her magic took over, and it tugged at her, begging her to give in and let it have complete control. She tried. Gods, did she try to hang on, but when she didn't willingly give in, it yanked itself free.

And while it protected her, it was terrifying. The last time this had happened, she'd loved it. She’d loved that people now feared her, feared what would happen when she appeared, but her power did not seem to care who or what it was devouring. She was fairly certain it would take from friend and enemy at this point.

Shrieks of pain rang out as her magic moved. It didn't take them all at once. It was strategic, going after them one at a time and reveling in their misery as it took and feasted. And with each death, it strengthened. With each life it took, her hope of regaining any semblance of control lessened.

But if she called others to fight, maybe she could calm the storm in her soul.

She'd left her dagger at the Arius manor, and the sword seemed overkill. Bracing herself, she brought her wrist to her mouth, preparing to sink her teeth into it and draw blood. Her lips had just touched her skin when ashes swirled before her.

"Do not even think about summoning the Hunters and letting them loose here," Auryon said in a clipped tone, two arrows already flying through the air.

Moments later, howling sounded. Roan and Nylah burst from the surrounding foliage. Tessa didn’t know how they always knew when she needed them or how they always managed to be where she needed them, but she was grateful as they took over the fight.

But that gratitude soon devolved into familiar feelings of inadequacy and disappointment. She was supposed to be this all powerful being, the strongest in Devram, and she still had to be fucking rescued.

A scream of frustration ripped from her throat, and her power followed suit, screaming from the sky. Lightning struck, but there was no rhyme or reason to it. Some of them struck true, killing a vampyre. Some hit the ground, the snow melting and smothering any flames that tried to ignite. One struck dangerously close to Roan, and Tessa cried out in worry as the wolf lurched to the side to avoid the hit.

Then she cried out in terror as a vampyre attacked him, his fangs sinking into Roan's throat. The wolf let out a snarling whine, twisting and trying to shake the vampyre free, and Tessa was running, screaming .

Her feet slipped in the snow more than once, but she was too terrified to try to use her power. With her lack of control and training, she could very well hit Roan instead of the Night Child.

She was, however, pulling that golden sword from a swirl of light. As she got closer though, she couldn't get a clear shot as the wolf and vampyre continued to roll, red staining the once pristine white snow.

"Auryon!" she screamed, unsure where she had gone or where Nylah was.

Useless.

That was how she felt as Roan let out another pained whine. The vampyre was strong and so incredibly fast. Anytime it looked like Roan was about to get the upper hand, the Night Child found another tender spot to sink his teeth into.

Until black flames wound their way around the vampyre. The fire moved like twisting snakes, singeing and burning as it wrapped tighter and tighter around the being. The screams were all his now as the black fire dragged him away from Roan.

Tessa didn't bother looking around for Luka as she stumbled to the wolf, dropping down beside him. His light coat was wet and matted with dark red, and she didn't know where to touch or what to do. She couldn't tell where the wounds were or how to even begin to stop the bleeding.

"Auryon!" she screamed again. "Auryon, help!"

This time there was a swirl of ashes before the female was crouching beside her.

"Shit," Auryon muttered, then she let loose a shrill whistle. It was answered by a howl, and moments later, Nylah was prowling forward.

"It was just a vampyre," Tessa said, her breaths coming too fast. "It was just— They can't kill him, right? They can’t— It was just a vampyre."

Nylah nudged Roan with her nose, and the whine that came from him had a sob crawling up Tessa's throat. These wolves were hers. They were hers without question. Their loyalty to her had been freely given. She hadn't had to earn it or prove herself to them. They were a connection to a past she hadn't known she had, and she had done this to him. All he had ever done was protect her from harm, had been a steadfast companion, and she had done this because she couldn't control her godsdamn magic.

Her hands thrust into his fur, sticky blood covered her fingers. She looked up at Auryon. "A vampyre can't kill him, right?" she repeated. "He's not a normal wolf. He's not— Is he going to die?"

"The Night Children are predators by nature," Auryon said, her smoky magic drifting over Roan as if cataloging all his injuries. "While their magic was taken from them, they retained their enhanced senses and were given the means to survive."

Tessa shook her head, feeling the tears track down her face. "That didn't answer my questions," she cried. "Is he going to die?"

"It is possible," Auryon said. "And likely if something is not done in the next few minutes, but I do not know who can help him here."

She couldn't get a breath down. Any air she sucked in seemed to get caught in her throat, never making it to her lungs. Roan's breaths were shallow too, his ribs scarcely rising on an inhale.

"But he's not a— He can’t— He's not a real wolf," she insisted as Nylah dropped to her belly. Her head rested between her front paws, glowing eyes fixed on Roan, and a soft whine sounded from her.

Tessa didn't notice the male that stooped beside her until large hands were taking her shoulders. She jolted, her magic lashing out, but he didn't release her.

“I know where we can take him, Tessa," Luka said grimly. “I can't make any promises he'll survive, but?—”

"Yes," she said immediately. "Take us there. Now."

“But you should know?—”

"This is me asking you to catch me, Luka!” she sobbed. "Please, Luka. Please!"

He nodded, glancing over her head at Auryon. "Make sure we're all touching."

A second later, Tessa felt the now familiar tug at her naval before they reappeared inside somewhere. She looked around, and it only took a moment for her to recognize where they were.

She lurched to her feet, frantic as a large black horse stuck his head over the top of his stall gate, huffing in irritation. Whirling to Luka, she demanded, "Why are we here?"

"Because you asked me to help, Tessa," he said calmly. "Theon keeps a Healer on staff specifically for his horses and hounds."

She hadn't known that. She'd avoided these areas as much as possible, mainly because the animals terrified her at first, but now…

Swallowing thickly, she glanced down at Roan. The wolf's eyes were closed, and her own welled with tears again just as the stable door swung open and Theon strode in.

He wore the same casual attire he'd been in a mere hour ago. His gaze connected with Luka for a moment, before he nodded and those emerald irises found her. He stayed back, shoving his hands deep into his pockets.

"Shea is on her way," he said.

Tessa nodded, her hands fisting in the sopping mess of her dress. She assumed that was the animal Healer.

"You don't have to do this," she murmured, unable to look at him. “I mean, I would understand?—”

"Is it what you need?" Theon cut in.

She swallowed again, nodding once.

"I promised to always give you what you need, and I also keep my promises."

Ignoring what those words did to her, she turned her back on him, lowering to Roan's side once more. She stroked his head, tracing the edge of his ear with her finger. Leaning in close, she whispered in a strained tone, "I am so sorry. Please don't go. Please don't leave me here after we just found each other."

There were silent tears tracking down her cheeks now, and once again, Luka had to pull her back a minute later.

"Shea is here," he whispered into her ear. "We need to give her room to work."

Tessa nodded, letting Luka tug her to her feet. A Legacy with black hair pulled back in a bun was beside Roan now. She was smaller than Tessa had expected, maybe only an inch or two taller than she was, but she was already holding her hands over the wolf. A faint blue-silver light was emanating from them, her brow furrowed in concentration.

"What is she doing?" Tessa asked, only then realizing Luka had her loosely held to his chest, her fingers curled tightly into his shirt.

"In the simplest sense, she is seeing all the injuries. She is no different from the Healers for people," he answered.

"I've never seen a Healer work," she said tightly. “I’m usually unconscious for this part of the assessments.”

Luka didn't say anything to that, but she could feel Theon's gaze on her and knew he was listening to everything being said.

"He is more than wolf? Like your hounds?" Shea asked, looking up at Theon.

"I don't know," he answered. "Auryon?"

The female's features were tight where she stood a few feet away, Nylah sitting beside her. "Yes," she answered.

"I am going to need more than that," Shea replied, pulling things from her bag.

"They are Trackers," she answered.

"You mean they are relatives of the Trackers," Theon clarified.

Auryon shook her head. "No. They are Trackers. From the god realms. Arius gifted a litter of Trackers to Temural as a gift when his powers emerged. These are from that litter.”

“But that means a vampyre cannot kill him, right?” Tessa interrupted. “Because he is not a normal wolf?”

“Trackers can be killed,” Auryon said, swirling eyes fixed on the injured wolf. “They are not invincible.”

“What are the odds here, Shea?” Theon asked.

“I don’t know,” she answered. “I’ve never worked on a Tracker.”

“I will send Cienna and Gia to help.”

Tessa looked at him out of the corner of her eye. His eyes were studiously fixed on Roan and Shea, that muscle in his jaw twitching.

“Their knowledge would be appreciated. Is there somewhere we can move him?” Shea replied.

“You can’t move him!” Tessa spluttered, shrugging out of Luka’s grip and lurching forward. “You could make it worse.”

“I’ll help move them wherever they need to go, Tessa,” Luka said.

“No,” she snapped, the bands of light around her wrists that had dimmed flared faintly.

“Tessa, we need to listen to the Healer here. They are the knowledgeable ones.”

“Here is fine,” Shea said, glancing up at them. “We can move him if we can get him more stable.”

“ If?” Tessa demanded.

“Why don’t you take Tessa up to get some fresh clothing,” Theon said, addressing Luka. “I will stay with the wolf and Auryon. I’ll let you know if there are any new developments.” Finally, he met her gaze. “Is that agreeable to you?”

She didn’t know. She was so torn because she needed to get out of this dirty sopping dress and clean the blood from her hands, but she didn’t know if she could leave Roan’s side. On top of all that, Theon was giving her a choice, and that was doing things to her she didn’t even want to try to process right now.

So she did what she did best and shut it all down. Her thoughts. Her feelings. She shoved all of herself down deep to keep the world out, and she said in a monotone voice, “Yeah, all right.”

“Are you sure, Tessa?” Luka asked, his tone low.

“Yes. I will be no help here.”

She could feel him studying her, but after a moment, she felt his hand settle on her lower back. They’d only taken a few steps when Theon called out, “The others from earlier today are in my rooms.”

She felt Luka stiffen, but he only said tightly, “Noted.”

It was snowing when they stepped out of the stables and into the gardens. Big flakes were swirling on wind gusts that made the air sting against her flesh. Luka’s fingers wrapped around her elbow, tugging her to a stop. “Now that we are away from Shea, I can Travel us.”

“I can walk,” she said flatly.

“You’re not wearing shoes, and you are…” His gaze flicked to the sky, then back to her. “You’re hardly wearing anything. Walking through this weather in wet clothing is not ideal.”

“Fine,” she said, the word as flat and clipped as the rest had been.

Seconds later they were standing inside a bedroom she had never been in before, but she immediately knew it was his. It had the same modern decor of Theon’s rooms. Only rather than blacks and greys, this room had deep navy blues and dark browns. The bed wasn’t quite as big as Theon’s, seeing as how it wasn’t made for three, but the plush comforter and nearly a dozen pillows took up a lot of the space. An overstuffed soft brown leather sofa was in front of a fireplace that Luka had switched on, and all she could think was how silly it was that he had a fireplace in his room when he could just make his own. More than that, he was always hot to the touch. What did he need a fireplace for?

Theon’s rooms were always neat and tidy; everything had a purpose and a place. But Luka’s space had the same odd trinkets scattered about like he had at the townhouse. Little gold statues, a strange assortment of random dishes, silver candlestick holders, and small bronze tins were throughout the room. Without thinking, she made her way to one. Lifting the lid of a larger tin, she found it inlaid with velvet, at least twenty different rings lying inside. Why did he have all these?

His throat clearing from behind her had her closing the lid before she turned to him. He’d lost his shoes somewhere, and the light from the bathroom was casting a warm glow onto the floor.

“You should shower, temptress. Get out of those wet clothes and warm up some,” he said.

She rolled her eyes. “There is nothing tempting about me at this moment.” She lifted her hands, dried blood caked to them, in emphasis.

Luka said nothing, but she felt something shudder down the bond. She was just too apathetic to think about it right now.

Without another word, she walked to the bathroom, shutting the door behind her. She peeled the dress from her body before stepping into a shower just as grand as the one in Theon’s suite. Thankfully, that meant she already knew how to work the different knobs.

Hot water poured over her, and she watched as the pink-tinged water swirled down the drain at her feet. Eventually, she washed using whatever she found in the shower. Luka had more hair products than Theon used, likely because he kept his hair longer. When she stepped out of the shower sometime later, steam had enveloped the bathroom, the mirror fogged over with condensation.

Using a fluffy navy blue towel to dry off, she wrapped it around herself before stepping up to the vanity and swiping a palm along the surface. Violet eyes stared back at her, flecks of dull grey breaking through. Part of the second Mark was visible, peeking out from beneath the towel, and she traced a finger along it. She knew she should get back to Faven, but something about the familiarity of this place had her entire being settling after the events of the day. And could she really leave Roan here and go back without him? He’d been her companion since she’d gone to Faven to begin with. He had been her sense of normalcy there, had been what grounded her, and now he would be gone too.

Moving mechanically, she wandered through the doorway that led to a large closet. Suits and formal attire lined an entire wall, and she dragged her fingers along the sleeves until she came to the back wall. There was a larger dresser that spanned the entirety of it, an odd assortment of empty frames were meticulously displayed across the top. She pulled open a shallow top drawer only to find more rings. Silver and gold, copper and platinum. The variety was vast. Different gems, different sizes. She picked up a gold band inlaid with sapphires and emeralds, turning it over in her hand before putting it back.

Pushing the drawer closed, she moved to the next wall. It was a smaller selection of clothing, but seemed to be more casual, and when she came across a hooded Chaosphere sweatshirt, she tugged it off the hanger and slipped it on. Of course it was huge on her, oversized and reaching to her knees. And it was the Firewings. That team was terrible. Not nearly as good as the Whirlwinds, even if they had beaten her team the last time she’d watched them play.

Unwrapping her hair, she hung her towels up before rummaging through drawers to find a brush or comb. When she finally emerged from the bathroom, she found Luka on the sofa, one foot propped on his coffee table. He was scrolling through something on his phone, and he glanced up at the door opening. His eyes went back to his phone before they immediately snapped back to her.

She paused, fingering the hem of the sweatshirt. “I didn’t have anything to wear.”

It took him a few seconds before he said, “You can wear that.”

“I still don’t understand how you can like the Firewings,” she added.

His lips twitched, some tension easing from his posture. “Theon sent a message that Shea is still working on Roan. Cienna and Gia are there now too.”

Tessa nodded, swallowing down the fresh tears threatening to pool.

“Do you want me to take you back down there?” Luka asked.

“No,” she said softly. “I think I am just in the way there.”

“You are never in the way, Tessa.”

She didn’t have a response to that as she shifted on her feet. “I’m not ready to leave. Not until I know he’ll make it.”

“We don’t have to leave until you’re ready,” he answered, setting his phone aside.

“Okay.”

A silence fell over them that was awkward and strained until finally Luka said, “Come here and sit.”

She moved stiffly, her body feeling as if she’d done some strenuous activity today when in reality she’d done nothing but endanger a friend she loved.

That was all she could think about as she settled onto the sofa next to Luka. She needed the comfort of the bond right now.

Staring into the flickering flames trapped behind the glass, she said, “Luka?”

“Yeah?”

“I want you to train me. To fight like you and Theon. To control this power.” She paused before saying again, “I want you to train me.”

His arm came around her shoulders, and a jolt of pleasure shot down her limbs at the sensation. Pulling her a little closer so she nestled into his side, her temple fell to his shoulder, resting there as he said, “That’s my girl. We’ll start tomorrow.”