Page 138 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“Have to be this way?” she interrupted. “You mean it should be me on the ground preparing to cross the Veil?”

“No, Tessa. I?—”

But he was cut off by a shuddering breath that turned into a cough and was followed by curses.

“Fuck,” he muttered, lifting his palm to look at his wound before immediately applying pressure again. “I wish Luka was here.”

She smiled, and she could tell by the look on Theon’s face the smile looked as wicked as it felt. “He’s…”

That smile faltered a little. WherewasLuka?

She looked around, expecting to see him standing off to the side, watching. That was where he’d been the last few times she’d had visions. But he wasn’t here.

Thunder cracked, pulling her back to the male on his knees before her, trying to push to his feet.

“You’re fulfilling the prophecy if you do this, Tessa.”

She whirled to the source of the voice, seeing Tristyn on the ground nearby, light binding his hands and ankles.

“It’s what they want. Don’t you see?” the male pressed now that he had her attention. “You will be the?—”

“You had plenty of chances to tell me what you know,” she said, power flaring through the light that held him and making him wince as it coursed through his being. “And even when you did tell me, it was shrouded in half-truths and motivations that only served you.”

“No—” he gasped out, but she was already turning back to Theon.

Until another voice had her spinning once more.

Axel stood there, Katya tucked behind him. She peered out, amber eyes wide with fear but also determination.

“A prophecy can mean so many things,” Axel said, his tone calm and even. “It can mean whatever you want it to mean. Just like your fate. You can define what it looks like. Just like we did.”

“It’s not the same,” Tessa said sharply.

“You’re right,” came yet another voice. This one was complete power and all-encompassing. No one appeared this time, but she knew the voice. She’d spoken to the same in a mirror. “It is not the same. The fates and destinies of Fae and Legacy are of no worry to you, but the fates of those with power can alter the course of history. You hold that power. And if you fail?”

He didn’t need to say it.

If she failed, she was stuck in Devram forever. Alone in a realm to be used and caged. Someone would find a way to do so eventually.

Correct the balance.

That was what she had to do.

And if the entire realm happened to be the cost of that, she would smile as she stepped on the ashes when she was finally free of it.

“Tessa—” Axel was saying, but she cut him off.

“No,” she snapped. “This world had millenniums to fix this. You all failed. That’s why I was sent here.”

“Is it?” Tristyn cut in. “I know you’ve spoken to Xan. What did he tell you?”

“Lies,” she hissed. “Only more lies.”

“You know that’s not true,” he insisted.

“Stop!” she cried, a hand driving into her loose hair and tugging on the ends. “You constantly lie to us. Half-truths and pretty words. You can’t control chaos.”

“No, but chaos can be balanced,” Theon cut in.

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