Page 158 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

Begrudgingly, he flipped through more pages, reading about the history of Devram for what felt like the millionth time in his life. He could practically write these books by now.

Shoving that one aside, he grabbed another, this one discussing the Beginning and how the Firsts emerged from the Chaos. They, in turn, created the Lessers. The gods then joined others to create the various realms and beings. Again, all standard history he knew.

“How do you think Arius and Serafina came to have children if she was to be Matched to Achaz?” he wondered aloud, turning another page.

“We don’t know. That’s why it’s on the list,” Theon muttered.

“According to Scarlett, it perpetuated a war that was about to end.”

“With the World Walkers,” Kat murmured, going back and forth between two books.

“What?” Theon asked.

“I read somewhere that some think there was a war between the World Walkers and the gods,” Kat said.

“And what? The World Walkers just disappeared?” Axel asked.

“That’s why it was so interesting,” she answered, finally looking up. “The World Walkers were said to be myths. This was a theory they were real and attempted to explain their disappearance. Some believe the remaining went into hiding. Clearly, there is some truth to it if Scarlett is one.”

“But she acquired the power,” Axel argued.

“She had to get it from somewhere,” Kat pointed out.

“The World Walkers have nothing to do with Tessa,” Theon cut in.

“What happened to ‘anything could help?’” Axel drawled. “Especially if it’s what truly started the Everlasting War. Isn’tthat what you said the Augury person told you? That the Everlasting War has found its way here?”

“That has to refer to Tessa though,” Katya cut in. “If Arius and Serafina crossed Achaz, it would stand to reason that Arius and Achaz are the ones with the feud.”

“And if Tessa is the granddaughter of Arius…” Theon mused, sitting back in his chair and drumming his fingers on the table.

“Then how does she have Achaz power?” Axel asked. “And some type of Witch gifts?”

“I don’t know,” Theon said, clearly frustrated as he dragged a hand through his hair. “If I knew that, I’d have moved on to other things by now.”

“This is interesting,” Katya said, sliding it over so Theon could look with her. He leaned forward, their heads together, and Axel bit down on his annoyance.

“What is it?” Axel gritted out.

“The Sister Goddesses,” Theon murmured. “They were part of creating new bloodlines, particularly the Fae.”

“As a gift to the Legacy,” Axel said, rubbing at his temples. “We already know that.”

“No,” Theon said, that excited note entering his voice. The one that told Axel he’d be hearing about whatever this was for the next few hours. “This contends that the Fae were created to keep the balance.”

“Then the Fates would have been involved,” Axel said.

“Or the Fates required something be done, and this was the answer,” Katya suggested.

“Time to go.”

The three of them turned to find a scholar standing behind them, his long brown robes dusting the floor.

“We aren’t done yet,” Theon said, straightening in his seat.

“Yes, you are,” the scholar asserted, taking a step closer. “The archives close to the public at sundown.”

“I am not the public,” Theon countered.

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