Page 318 of Dawn of Chaos and Fury
“It isn’t for her. It’s for him,” Rordan snapped. “Draw the Marks.”
Her clear blue eyes flicked across the room to Theon, the other seraph, and the Hunters before coming back to Tessa. “He is a reflection of Arius.”
Tessa’s brow furrowed as the female dropped to a crouch and began drawing a Mark.
“But first, what am I to do with you?” Rordan asked now that the female was doing as she was told.
Tessa’s fingers curled at her sides, her magic claiming her a little more, while she watched the female move and draw another again a few feet away.
“There is nothing you can do with us,” Tessa answered, lifting her chin. “I am still more powerful than you.”
“Is that what you believe?” he sneered.
“It does not matter what I believe. Truth is truth,” she said, following the path of the seraph. “But more than that, you are not valued as much as I am.”
Rordan scoffed, light flickering in his eyes at the snub.
“You think I’m wrong?” she asked, tracking the female as she continued to move, disappearing behind the mirror now. Rordan couldn’t see her, but Tessa could, and she paused, studying the floor. Those piercing blue eyes flicked up to her again. Then she turned as if assessing the Marks she’d started drawing in a circle off to the right.
“A reflection of madness,” the seraph murmured. She gestured to the Marks. “It flows the wrong way.”
“I know I’m not,” Tessa said with a shrug, returning her attention to Rordan. “I’m his grandchild, and you? You’re so far removed from him, it’s laughable to even call you an Achaz Legacy.”
“And yet I am the one serving Achaz with steadfast loyalty while you betray him at every turn,” Rordan ground out.
“Do I?”
“You’re married to an Arius Legacy and a dragon. He will find those betrayals unforgivable.”
“Perhaps I am like him,” Tessa said simply, wandering over to the mirror and staring at her reflection. Understanding settling in as she watched the female move in her periphery. “Perhaps I find betrayals just as unforgivable. I think it runs in the family.” She paused, glancing at Rordan. “Not that you would know.”
Rordan’s face was flushed, and his words were forced as he ground out, “Achaz will deal with the dragon in time. As for theArius Lord, I will deal with him myself. Achaz can deal with you.”
She hummed, dragging her fingers along the stone around the mirror. “He will still choose me. I am his blood, and I have something he craves.” She lifted a hand, chaos spinning in her palm. “You are just someone who has taken too long to please him.” She closed her fist, the power snuffing out. “But I can help you with that.”
“You’re going to help me?” he scoffed. “You cannot possibly expect me to believe that?”
She shrugged again. “Fine. Then I will present the Arius blood to him.” Looking over her shoulder, she caught the gaze of a Hunter. “Bring me a dagger.”
The Hunter went unnaturally still, his white eyes moving from her to Rordan.
“You’re playing games, Tessa,” Rordan barked.
“I told you I was bringing them to Achaz. I was simply offering you a way to gain favor with him. I’m sure Achaz would love to watch you take power from an Arius Legacy before he meets his death. Maybe then he would find you a little more…worthy of him.”
Tessa… This is not the plan,Theon said down the bond.
He was right. This wasn’t the plan they’d discussed, but she wasn’t very good at following others’ plans for her anyway.
So she shoved him out. Shoved them both out. Because she needed to focus, and her magic was already loud enough. She couldn’t handle them in her head too.
She saw Theon’s eyes widen at the action. Luka roared again, tail smashing into a wall of windows now as he tried to find a weakness. But there was none. The Faven Palace didn’t have a weakness.
“But you’re not going to keep me from proving my loyalty,” she said. Then to the Hunter she snapped, “A dagger. Now.”
Thunder echoed her words, and gold mist was swirling at her feet.
The Hunter appeared, bowing his head and handing her a gold dagger. “Your grace.”
