TEMPEST KNEW SOMETHING was amiss the second the hair on the back of her neck stood up.

The fae fell to her knees, slamming her palms against the warm earth. The power of nature thrummed alive beneath her mighty hands. Her fingers curled into the fertile dirt. She dug past the element of earth, seeking out the beauty of water.

Ice touched her fingertips when she connected to the cold element. Invisible tethers linked Tempest to her dazzling lake. Someone was there. She sensed one, no, two heartbeats fighting against the currents of her no longer docile lake.

In her absence two fools thought themselves so brave to intrude upon her territory. Why? Probably to try and take what she contractually swore her life to protect.

The great sword, Caliburn.

Tempest's lips curled into a devilish smirk when she felt how tumultuous the waves danced. Her tongue peeked out, tasting the dark brown lipstick covering her heart shaped lips. Whoever was trying to steal one of her swords was in for quite the treat. Lake Glass had no trouble holding the two idiots in an endless loop of drowning and revival. She'd do so until her mistress, Tempest, returned to deal with them.

Tempest dumped the contents of her brown satchel out on the ground. She rifled through the collected flowers and berries in search of what she needed. Relief filled her when she found the handheld mirror. Snatching it up, Tempest shoved her possessions back inside the old bag and stood.

The clear mirror reflected her fair face and large onyx eyes. Pure fury brewed within those dark irises. It burned like a wildfire when her gaze flamed like black orbs in the night sky.

"Take me home," her firm voice commanded.

When she touched the mirror it rippled like water. Tempest dove in.

The small mirror fell into the tall grass after it sucked her through. Whoever found it would know it belonged to Tempest. If they were wise, they wouldn't follow after and destroy the mirror then move on with their day.

Tempest was no malevolent fae. She was a servant of the Seelie Court. A good fae with a good heart. She wasn't a dark warrior under the influence of the Unseelie Court.

But she would kill whoever dared to touch Caliburn without a second thought if she had to.

She'd done it before and she would do it again no matter who emerged from the lake.

Tempest's bare feet glided against the soft green grass. She stalked towards the roaring water like a predator set to devour her prey. Her medium length chestnut brown hair swished against her back. It was still growing after the mourning cut she'd performed fifty years ago.

When Tempest reached the edge of the lake she unsheathed the second sword she was sworn to protect from her hip. Clarent gleamed obsidian under the moon's white light. The long sword sent a wave of strength through Tempest. He reassured her of their bond, preparing to fight with her. She clasped both hands around the hilt. A plume of darkness emerged from the ceremonial sword of peace.

They were ready.

"Bring the first one out."

Lake Glass spat the first intruder out of her waters. The fae slammed against the ground with enough power to knock out the water filling his lungs. His lithe body trembled. Whoever he was he looked like a wet rat, Tempest thought, with the way his long brown hair hung in limp strands.

Tempest stepped closer, glaring at the idiot kneeling before her. "Who are you and what are you doing at my lake? Tell me now or prepare to die."

The man sputtered, "Arian." A silver sword materialized once called. He leapt to his feet as quick as a whip, plucking Arian from the air and facing Tempest. His thundering face was pulled into a raging storm and a snarl overtook his thin lips. But when the two fae locked eyes he faltered, grip loosening around Arian's hilt. "Tempest?"

"Silver," Tempest growled. Darkness emerged from Clarent like a sickness. "This must be my lucky day."

The Lady of the Lake slashed, cutting Silver's cheek and spraying the earth gold with his blood.

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QOTD: What are your thoughts on Tempest and her introduction to the story? Why do you think the portal dropped them into her lake and what the heck is going on with her and Silver?