The Legacy Series, #2
Storm of Secrets and Sorrow
by Melissa K. Roehrich
Contents
18. Tessa
Overview
At a masquerade, Tessa navigates political seating, barbed exchanges with rival Sources, and uneasy reunions with old friends. She blocks Theon through the bond and follows a suspicious masked figure, only to be intercepted by Tristyn. On a balcony, her pent-up magic destabilizes; Theon and Luka arrive as a storm swells, signaling her bands can no longer contain her power.
Summary
Tessa endures a formal masquerade, seated with other Sources below the ruling families. She struggles with her slipping mask and rigid etiquette while watching Theon on the dais. Gatlan and Eviana flank her, offering mixed candor and warnings as Tessa critiques the North–South seating divide and the dynamics among the heirs’ Sources.
Drawn into verbal sparring with Maxson and Jasper, Tessa is needled about her uncertain status and Theon’s future. Lightning flashes outside as her magic strains against restraining bands, and she pointedly reminds them she remains bound. A server delivers an agaveheart shot and a teasing note from Tristyn, which she takes as an invitation to leave.
In the crowd, Oralia sweeps Tessa to Dex and Brecken. Old loyalties and new mistrust surface: Dex insists he’s on her side and reveals he’ll accompany her to Achaz’s Faven week, while Brecken prods at the special treatment of claimed Fae. Tessa, increasingly restless, spots a pearlescent-masked figure and pushes into a quieter hallway, torn between alerting Theon and pursuing answers.
Tristyn meets her there with a bottle and leads her to a balcony. In the cool night, Tessa’s power bucks violently, slipping past the bands. Realizing Tristyn’s Pax lineage explains the calm he evokes, she still can’t steady the riot under her skin. He warns that chaos cannot be contained and that her bands won’t hold much longer.
Theon and Luka arrive, furious and concerned. Tristyn confronts Theon for stifling Tessa’s training; Theon deflects, while Luka senses something is fundamentally wrong. As Tessa mutters of confinement and the sky erupts with lightning and thunder, her magic demands freedom, heralding an imminent break from restraint.
Who Appears
- TessaSource protagonist; chafes at court protocols, blocks Theon through the bond, pursues a masked figure, meets Tristyn, and nears a dangerous power break.
- TheonArius Heir and Tessa’s Master; watches from the dais, later confronts Tristyn and Tessa on the balcony, accused of stifling her training.
- Tristyn BlackheartElusive Legacy; sends Tessa a note, leads her to air and liquor, reveals Pax lineage calm, warns her bands won’t contain her chaos.
- LukaArius bond to Tessa; joins Theon on the balcony, senses something deeply wrong as Tessa’s magic destabilizes.
- GatlanAnala Heir’s Source; banters with Tessa, offers candid insights, subtly supportive during tensions with other Sources.
- EvianaValter’s Source; reinforces protocol and warns Tessa to stay near Masters, mostly reserved.
- MaxsonHostile Source; taunts Tessa about her future and Theon’s next Selection, silenced by sudden storm signs.
- JasperSnide Source; goads Tessa with insinuations about bond intimacy and replacement, unsettled by weather shift.
- SashaPeacekeeping Source; attempts to de-escalate bickering among Sources during the masquerade.
- DadeQuiet Source; offers measured comments about potential Source replacements.
- DexTessa’s longtime ally; worries for her, reveals he’ll join her Achaz visit, but strains of mistrust surface.
- OraliaFriend from Arobell; excited to reunite, insists they’re on Tessa’s side, fusses over Tessa’s mask.
- BreckenFlirtatious acquaintance; questions claims and leashes, unintentionally needling Tessa about control.