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The orb had instantly sprung to life the moment Rayner had ceased to touch it. The glyphs faded in and out, and Scarlett watched them as she waited for Saylah. The goddess remained silent for so long, Sorin wasn’t sure she was going to answer.

Scarlett’s eyes flicked to her. “Come now,Mother.I’ve come to deal in your currency of choice.”

Sorin didn’t know what that meant, but Saylah clearly did, judging by the way her eyes narrowed on Scarlett.

“Serafina created the lock,” Saylah answered tightly.

Scarlett stilled, sitting back in her chair. Sorin could feel her shock at that revelation. Out of all the possibilities they had discussed of who had created it, Serafina had not been on that list.

“What is it?” Scarlett asked.

“The power to unlock the mirror gate,” Saylah said.

“We are not trading half-truths,” Scarlett retorted sharply, her shadows breaking free of their constraints. “I have retrieved the lock. The payment for that service is answers to my questions.”

It was unnerving how still the goddess stood. Fae could go preternaturally still, but this was something else. This was as if the goddess controlled the stillness of the aura around her. It was another full minute before the goddess spoke again.

“You and Cethin are the product of two bloodlines. Arius and Anahita. Because the Arius blood is more powerful, those are the gifts you inherited. Gifts of Arius and Serafina, myself and Temural. Those bloodlines are all essentially one. Temural’s and my gifts are an extension of those of Arius and Serafina.

“Anahita is a Lesser god, but all the power of the gods comes from the Chaos. That is what makes us stronger than other magical bloodlines created. That is why we rule the realms. The more Chaos in one’s being, the stronger the god. That is why the Firsts are the most powerful. They came directly from the Chaos. TheyareChaos. Arius’s darkness is Chaos, just as Achaz’s light is Chaos. Chaos is what is used to create new worlds. Chaos is what is used to create new bloodlines.”

“Are my shadows Chaos?” Scarlett asked.

“No, but Cethin’s darkness is. It is why he finds it wilder and harder to control,” she answered.

“What?” Cethin demanded, twisting to fully face his mother.

Saylah’s gaze slid to him, something shifting in her eyes. “You were born with some Chaos. All magical beings are. Because your father was Legacy, you also have some mortal blood. Mortal blood weakens the Chaos.”

“Then how does he possess it?” Scarlett asked, the lock still in one hand resting atop the table. “How would any Legacy maintain their power if mortal blood weakens Chaos?”

“Chaos is the undercurrent of all power. It is Chaos that determines how powerful one’s gifts are.” Saylah answered.

“Not Fate?” Scarlett drawled.

Saylah stared at her in a way that had Sorin shifting closer.

“Chaos and Fate are not the same, but they do create the balance.”

After a moment, Scarlett muttered, “I do not know if that is helpful or not.”

“But Cethin’s Chaos is more than he was born with because I gave him some of mine,” Saylah said, again having everyone go still with surprise. “He let beings in that should not have been. In order to save him, I needed to give him more.”

Scarlett turned to Cethin. “What is she talking about? The Hunters?”

Cethin shook his head, Kailia placing a hand on his. “I told you there were other beings who received my message about entering the Wards. Beings from beyond the realm.”

“So Cethin is what? A god? Because he has more Chaos than he should?” Scarlett asked, shifting her attention back to her mother.

“No. He does not have nearly enough Chaos for that. He has more Chaos, but only just enough to enhance his gifts. Just as the Chaos you carry is enough to enhance your gifts.”

Scarlett lurched back in her chair, and Sorin was snatching up the lock that nearly tumbled to the floor as more shock spiked down the bond.

Breathe, Love. In and out.

If we are right about the lock, Sorin, this means that—

I know, Scarlett. Let’s see what other answers she has.