Page 12 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“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 AchazLegacy 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 sheneeded. 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.

Thegod 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 wastheruler 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 suchconsiderationwas lost when the gods abandoned the realm and left it to its own demise,” she retorted.

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