The Legacy Series, #3
Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance
by Melissa K. Roehrich
Contents
40. Tessa
Overview
Rordan pressures Tessa to deliver an Arius death and pushes a Match with Liam, forcing her to act. Seeking counsel, Tessa warns Lange and Corbin to free Eviana if conflict erupts. At Wynfell, Mother Cordelia and Cressida ambush her; Tessa summons Hunters who disobey, selectively killing Arius Legacy. Auryon intervenes, fatally undone by a Hunter blade, bequeathing her bow before Luka extracts Tessa, deepening the conspiracy linking Rordan and Cressida.
Summary
After weeks of defiance, Tessa is summoned by Rordan, who demands she “fulfill her purpose” by delivering a significant Arius death and attend dinner to finalize a Match Contract with Liam. Tessa refuses the dinner but agrees to act, recognizing it as a test with failure not allowed.
To steady herself, Tessa visits Lange and Corbin at the Arius manor, confirming Theon treats them well. Distrusting Dex, Oralia, and possibly Brecken, she warns Lange and Corbin: if kingdoms clash, free Eviana from Faven if they can. Overwhelmed, she departs and unconsciously portals to the black Wynfell River.
There, Mother Cordelia arrives with masked Augury, joined by Cressida, who reveals herself as a member and condemns Theon’s fixation on Tessa. As Tessa realizes Rordan and Cressida have long manipulated her fate, Augury powers overwhelm her. Tessa breaks free, slices her palm, and summons her Hunters, ordering them to kill all. Instead, the Hunters selectively execute Arius Legacy members, defying her intent.
Nylah and Roan join the fight, and Auryon arrives, expertly cutting down Hunters and Augury. Fearing harming Roan, Tessa suppresses her power and fights with Auryon’s arrows. Amid the chaos, Cressida and Cordelia vanish. A Hunter fatally strikes Auryon with a blade lethal to Huntresses; Auryon dissolves to ash after bequeathing her bow to Tessa and urging her to claim her birthright.
As the Hunter leader smiles in triumph, Luka arrives, seizes Tessa, and prepares to take her somewhere “safe,” where Theon waits. Tessa vows vengeance on the beings she summoned, the conspiracy between Rordan and Cressida now laid bare.
Who Appears
- Tessa (Tessalyn)Pressed by Rordan to kill for Arius and sign with Liam; ambushed at Wynfell; summons Hunters; witnesses Auryon’s death; claims her bow; extracted by Luka.
- RordanAchaz Lord; demands an Arius death and pushes a Match with Liam; frames it as a test; implicated in long-term manipulation.
- CressidaRevealed Augury member and Theon’s mother; leads ambush; condemns Theon’s choices; linked to Rordan’s scheme; escapes mid-battle.
- Mother CordeliaEstate Mother; attacks Tessa with wind and air; part of the Augury; retreats during the chaos.
- AuryonHuntress; arrives to protect Tessa, slays Hunters and Augury; fatally undone by a Hunter blade; bequeaths her bow to Tessa.
- LukaThrough the bond warns and rushes; arrives late, grabs Tessa, and portals her toward safety where Theon waits.
- Hunter leaderTessa’s foremost summoned Hunter; selectively kills Arius Legacy; taunts Auryon; survives as Auryon falls.
- NylahLoyal wolf; battles Augury, helps carve a path to extract Tessa.
- RoanLoyal wolf; fights beside Nylah; Tessa withholds power to avoid harming him.
- LangeTessa’s friend; shelters with Corbin; hears warning to free Eviana if conflict erupts.
- CorbinLange’s partner; concerned for Tessa; receives her plea to free Eviana if possible.
- TheonLinked via bond; tries to reach Tessa but is delayed; awaits at the destination Luka names safe.