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“We will come for your maker in time, Huntress,” the Hunter said. “Tell Temural his time will come.”

“Temural,” Tessa said, feeling the blood drain from her face. “You know of Temural?”

There was no regret on her features like there had been on Tristyn’s. No, there was nothing but an indifference that only added to the hurt as Auryon said, “No one else can send a Huntress to his daughter. We only answer to him.”

With a broken laugh, she said, “It is best you leave now.”

“Tessa, wait,” Tristyn said. “Come with me. Please. I’ll explain as much as I can.”

“No,” was all she said before she turned to face the ongoing destruction.

Auryon had done damage to the Hunters. There were a fraction of them left and a handful of Augury members along with the Hunters surrounding the Arius Lord and Eviana. Her wolves moved with her, and as she passed the still breathing Legacy in robes, energy and light emanated from her, taking life from them.

It only seemed to strengthen her own gifts as her magic feasted.

She turned just in time to see Tristyn disappear into the air, Auryon already gone.

Of course Tristyn could Travel. Just another secret she’d collected.

Turning back, the Hunters parted, letting her pass between them to where Valter was kneeling, two golden blades at his throat. He glared up at her, nothing but malice in his eyes as he said, “You will be the downfall of this realm.”

She lifted a hand, drawing in the air with her magic before the message flared and disappeared.

“No,” she said simply. “I will be the downfall of the Legacy in this realm. I will be the downfall of the imbalance that hasplagued this world. But above all, I will be the downfall of your entire bloodline, and I will let you witness it all before I take your life from you.”

47

THEON

He jolted to his feet as he felt the bond snap to attention in excitement.

He’d been sitting in his bedroom at Arius House, a glass of liquor in hand as he’d stared at the fireplace. The flames flickered, too wild and reckless to be allowed outside of the safety of the glass. The bond had been muted, too far from Tessa, and she’d blocked him out completely once again.

That hadn’t kept him from contemplating her words for the last hours.

I couldn’t be that.

Not anymore.

Not now.

Those words had filtered down the bond as they were coaxing her through the dark. It was all they’d been able to do. They could have tried to go to her, but she was so heavily guarded and there was so much tension between him and the other kingdoms right now. Showing up could have made things worse. Showing up could have been a trap. The ruling Lords and Ladies had made it more than clear he wasn’t to interfere anymore. Not thathe’d be submitting to that, but he didn’t have a plan yet, and not having a plan only put her in more danger.

But there’d been nothing from her since. Nothing but flashes of panic followed by flickers of surprise and then…

Wrath.

Rage.

Hurt.

So much fury.

He’d gone back to Arius House this morning mainly because he’d had no choice. His father wasn’t here yet, and Axel had left early yesterday, not telling anyone. His brother had been holed up in his room since. Theon was giving him until tonight, and then he was breaking into his room. He’d sit and watch fucking Chaosphere with him if that was what needed to be done.

But if Tessa was here? That might change everything.

His phone buzzed in his pocket as he made his way out to the main room, half expecting her to be waiting for him.