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Tessa liked her more and more.

“Which would make my father a god?” Tessa said, suddenly doubtful. Her father couldn’t be agod.

A god wouldn’t leave his daughter in a forgotten realm. A god wouldn’t let her be treated like someone who was a nuisance simply for existing. A god wouldn’t justabandonher.

“Your father is Temural, god of the wild and untamed,” Scarlett said, her tone softening. “I know it is a lot to take in because I didn’t learn of my heritage until I was twenty years.Everything you are feeling? It is all valid, Tessa. Anyone who tells you it isn’t is wrong.”

Tessa said nothing, hugging herself. Theon’s hold on her tightened, but not even the bond could give her any comfort right now. She didn’t know what to believe, and she couldn’t think in here.

“From what we’ve been told, Arius and Serafina violated some sort of accord when they chose to be together,” Sorin said. “If what you said is true, and Serafina was at one point supposed to be with Achaz, that would fit. Temural and Saylah were kept a secret from the other gods for centuries. When they were discovered, it only escalated an already tense situation.”

“All of this must have happened after Devram was created,” Theon said. Tessa was certain he was recounting every history text he’d ever read. “The gods agreed to never interfere here, so we wouldn’t have known.”

“The gods also agreed not to have more demigod children which would lead to more Legacy being born,” Luka said dryly. “Clearly they didn’t keep those accords either.”

“You will find the gods keep more secrets than the Fates,” Scarlett said darkly. “They play games, and if you let them, they will use you to further their own position and achieve their own goals.”

Tessa held back her huff of amusement. She was already being used to further someone else’s position and achieve their own goals. How would this be any different? Her father had already abandoned her. A god wanting to use her was fitting for the life fate had dealt her.

“You do not like the gods?” Axel asked. “Despite your mother being one?”

“Saylah and I have an…agreement of sorts,” Scarlett said, keen silver eyes watching Tessa. “But having experienced the same array of emotions Tessa is currently feeling, she deservedto know. She deserves to know that the gods are not above using their own blood as a means to an end. I refused to aid Temural unless he agreed to let me come and meet her.”

“Why would a god needyouraid?” Theon asked.

That wicked smile returned, the one that had him tucking Tessa in closer and Luka tensing even more. “I am many things, one of them being a World Walker.”

“They are myths,” Katya blurted, once again blushing at her outburst, but Tessa recognized the excited glint in her amber eyes. It was the same mannerism she’d observed in her mornings watching Theon. A frenetic energy that hummed around him when he stumbled upon something interesting or promising in his studies or research.

“I assure you they are not,” Scarlett said. “Rare, but not myths, and I am the only one who can ferry people across the stars to other realms.”

“If this Temural is my father, then where is he?” Tessa asked, unable to move past this.

A sad, knowing look filled Scarlett’s features. “He is a god. It is my understanding that the gods cannot enter Devram.”

“Then what is the point of telling me any of this? Can you take me to him?”

She shook her head. “It would endanger more than you.”

“Then what is the point?” Tessa repeated.

“You misunderstand,” Scarlett said. “The gods cannot come here, but they have found ways to influence events here.”

“They cannot interfere with Devram,” Theon argued.

“But there are always loopholes,” Scarlett said. “I suggest you start finding your own if you plan to play their games.”

“If the gods can’t come here, I don’t think I need to worry about their games,” Theon replied dryly.

“Silly, little Lordling,” Scarlett said with a bitter laugh. “Haven’t you figured it out yet? You’re already in the middle of them.”

21

AXEL

Axel could see his brother’s mind working, mulling over everything Scarlett and Sorin were telling him. He knew Theon would obsess over this for days. To be fair, anyone would, but not like Theon. He’d be going over all possibilities, different ways to use the information to his advantage, and how all of it worked with everything else he knew. He’d suddenly have some new insane theory. Although some of those theories didn’t seem so insane anymore. The silver-haired female sitting across from him was the prime example. The Augury was the second.

After yet another tense standoff between Scarlett and Theon, Sorin had suggested everyone take a moment to breathe. Axel had offered drinks. Now the couple sat across from him and Katya on the other sofa. Tessa had taken a seat in the armchair she’d originally occupied. Theon was in the other armchair, sitting stiffly. Luka, of course, was still standing.