Thirteen


[ave atque vale]


Camp Jupiter was silent the next night. There was no laughter, no discussion, only silence and shadows as the legion met near the Temple of Pluto. The first casualty of war had been claimed, and through flame, he'd become a martyr.

Tessa stood amidst her friends, all stone-faced and teary-eyed. The legion surrounding them was of equal expression, but while they all were grieving the loss of an innocent life, Tessa and her friends were shrouded in suspicion.

Not much had been released regarding Collin Harris's death aside from the fact that Vinny Maxwell had somehow been his killer. Kaden had tried to stop the traitor, but was too late. However, something had to have shaken the praetor to the point of no return, because he had been stoic and silent since it happened.

Now, Kaden and Kaya marched to the top of the elaborate wooden structure dedicated to burials. Kaya wielded two burning torches, whereas Kaden carried the son of Apollo's shroud. He placed the golden heap atop of the bed of wood, face cut from stone as he stepped back and took a torch from Kaya.

"Collin Harris was only ten years old, but a prominent member of the legion. He was among the best archers the Twelfth had ever known, and despite his untimely demise, his legacy will continue into New Rome's history." Kaden's voice was gruff, as if he were holding back tears. "Ave atque vale, Collin."

Tessa muttered the salute in time with the rest of the crowd, candles in their hands flickering in the soft autumn wind. The daughter of Poseidon tried to meet her boyfriend's gaze from where she stood in the valley, but if Kaden could see her from where he stood, she didn't know. While he was standing there in clear sight, he seemed to be flickering from view, like all he wanted to do was disappear.

"Something about this is off," Imogen whispered from Tessa's side. The blonde girl was draped in an onyx cloak, the candle in her face illuminating her features.

Tessa met the girl's jade gaze, but Imogen was staring dead ahead. "Why would they go after Collin?" The daughter of Cupid asked. "He was so young. He had nothing to do with this."

"Why would they go after any of us?" Sophia huffed from Tessa's other side. "They're monsters, incapable of feeling. And Vinny's the worst of all."

The daughter of Athena tightened her grip on Alexia's hand, and Tessa knew where the fury was coming from. Last winter, Vinny had kidnapped the daughter of Pluto and "killed" her before Sophia's eyes. Thanks to her powers, Alexia revived herself, but the loss had hit Sophia hard enough to last.

The procession began, and the Twelfth Legion moved towards the foot of the wooden structure. One by one, each candle that they were holding was set in a different crevice of the structure, until it was beginning to catch fire. Afterwards, Kaden and Kaya lowered their torches onto the top of the structure, and watched as it and Collin's shroud caught fire.

And in silence, the legion watched as the flames rose higher and higher, burning as bright as Collin's spirit had once been.

~~

Days passed with nightmarish speed with just as many shadows lurking around the corners. In the wake of Collin's death, the legion had been enlightened on the war on the horizon, and the legionnaires went into overtime to strengthen the borders, execute strategies, even if they didn't know the ultimate one that their praetors were planning.

Tessa found herself in one of two states: either studying for her midterms coming soon, or preparing for the portal breach in a few short days. Her friends shared a similar predicament, but in the whirlwind that had become their lives, Tessa hadn't had a chance to meet with Kaden.

The son of Venus was practically drowning in work, whether it was praetor-related or regarding his medical studies. When Tessa did see him, he tried to smile and lead her off the track that everything was okay, but she knew him better than to fall for his act. Something had shaken him about Collin's death, and if it was making him this detached, she needed to know what.

Tessa walked the distance from her dorm to Kaden's villa, grateful for the fact that he'd had enough sense to give her a key. If he knew she was coming, he'd have the time to try and pretend everything was okay when it wasn't.

Tessa twisted the lock, pushing the ornate door open gently. She shuffled inside, shutting the door behind her and scanning the first floor of Kaden's residence. It was as immaculate as the last time she'd seen it, and as silent as the night outside. However, judging from the shoes kicked off at the door and the coat strewn across a coatrack, Tessa knew Kaden was home.

The daughter of Poseidon climbed the gilded staircase, her hands in the pockets of her hoodie. She made her way to Kaden's room and pushed the door open.

The room was a mess. Kaden's covers spanned the floor in crumpled heaps, as if he'd kicked them off in his sleep. Papers littered the ground, scribbled over in frustration—ranging from homework assignments to praetorian decrees. And the man himself was hunched over at his desk, pen working across paper.

"I know you Romans honor wolves and all, but this place looks like you unleashed a pack of them in here," Tessa chimed, snagging Kaden's attention.

The son of Venus turned around wildly, a hand halfway to the golden ring on his finger. He relaxed at seeing Tessa, his hands dropping to his side. "Tessa," He breathed. "What're you doing here this late?"

"Is it a crime to visit my boyfriend?" Tessa arched an eyebrow, walking towards him.

Kaden smiled gently, meeting her halfway. "Not at all." He met her lips with a swift kiss, pulling back to bask in her presence. "I'm glad to see you."

Tessa ran a hand up to his cheek, searching his eyes. "How've you been holding up, Kade?"

Instantly, her boyfriend tensed. "I'm alright, Tess. Really, I am." He pulled away from her touch, stepping back a bit.

Tessa felt her heart twist, but she shrugged it off. "Kaden," She started softly. "It's me. You don't have to pretend with me."

For a few moments, there was silence between them as Tessa's words sank in. But then, Kaden shook his head, and Tessa spotted the beginnings of tears in his eyes.

"I see it every time I close my eyes," Kaden spoke, his voice low. "The look of relief in Collin's eyes as soon as he saw me, like he knew I was there to rescue him. The blood leaking from his neck when I was too slow to actually do anything. I failed him, Tess. I'm not a hero. I let him die!"

Tessa shook her head fiercely, stepping forward. "Don't talk like that," She chided. "Take a deep breath and start at the beginning. What really happened?"

As if she were the one with charmspeak, Kaden obeyed her words. He inhaled slowly, taking her hands for strength. "I spotted Vinny in the tower, so I went after him, By the time I got there, the sentries told me that he'd taken Collin hostage inside the room. I busted the door down, and sure enough, there he was. Vinny had his sword to Collin's throat, and he started to taunt me. I tried to talk him out of it, I tried to act but then..."

"But then what?" Tessa asked.

Kaden pressed his lips together, as if what came next was too painful to speak of. Tessa felt a flare of guilt in that moment, and opened her mouth to prevent him from speaking if it would put him under duress, but Kaden knew what she was about to do and kissed her to cut her off.

"I need to do this," He whispered against the kiss. "Don't worry."

Tessa kissed back with a series of small pecks, peppering them across his lips. She pulled away, turquoise eyes staring into emerald ones as Kaden began to speak.

"I don't know how he did it, or if it was my own mind but...Collin became Landon. I saw Landon in Vinny's possession rather than Collin, and the images flicked back and forth. Even his voice changed and," Kaden's voice cracked, and Tessa squeezed his hands in reassurance. "It hit me like a bus. I couldn't save Landon and I couldn't save Collin. They needed me, Tessa, and I failed them both."

Tears began to slip from Kaden's eyes, and Tessa felt her heartbreak. She pulled him into a tight embrace, squeezing him as tight as she could when he returned the motion. He sobbed into her shoulder, despite their height difference, and in that moment, Tessa strengthened the vow she'd made all those months ago.

She'd make Vinny pay for his crimes, and the end would justify the means.

The darkness inside her purred at the thought, but was cut off as Kaden pulled her tighter.

"Kaden," Tessa whispered, rubbing his back reassuringly. "It's okay."

She felt him shake his head, and Tessa pulled away ever so slightly to meet his gaze. "Collin didn't die because of you, Kade. Vinny killed him out of cold blood. He knew it would get to you, he was trying to break you."

"He was so young." Kaden croaked, his voice gravelly. "They both were."

Tessa wiped the tears away from the praetor's eyes, allowing him to lean into her touch. "If we let our demons overcome us, we won't be able to see straight. I promise you that as soon as we breach that portal and put an end to this, we'll give Vinny the punishment he deserves. We'll do it for Collin. And Landon."

Kaden took a ragged breath, wiping his eyes. "I just...how did that happen? How was I seeing Landon in a moment where he wasn't there?"

Tessa shook her head. "They were both young and looked up to you. The similarities could have been that strong?"

Kaden sniffled, shaking his head. "That's true, but...it felt like Landon was really there. Like my nightmares were coming to life of that night." He met Tessa's gaze, and from the level of suspicion in his irises, Tessa felt his thoughts become her own.

"It's a crazy thought but...what if my fears were being inflicted upon me?" Kaden stared into her eyes, waiting for her to get the message.

And when she did, Tessa felt sick. Her stomach clenched in flares of nausea, and she shook her head. "No. No. It can't be Deimos."

"He escaped Artemis' capture, it could be," Kaden tried, but Tessa was resolute in her fears.

"Deimos or not," She began, calming herself down. "We'll put an end to this. Collin won't have died in vain and neither will have Lucillia, or Alex, or Landon."

Kaden dragged a hand through his chestnut hair, making it stand up on end. He brushed his lips across Tessa's forehead. "I love you, Tessa."

"I love you, too," Tessa responded, burrowing into his embrace.

Tessa wasn't sure how much time had passed, but she and Kaden stood in a locked embrace regardless. And just when Tessa thought that the only noise permeating the room was the sound of their breathing and beating hearts, she heard Kaden whisper into her ear:

"Thank you."

~~

[Alternate Universe]

The General didn't like executions. Sure, she liked distributing punishment to those deserving; it satisfied her obsidian heart. But she wasn't about to listen to the pleads and sobs of those selected for death. In her opinion, if they didn't want to die, then they should have conformed.

"Please, Majesty," One man wept, his hands clasped before him in prayer. "I have a wife and three children. I need to provide for them."

The General arched an eyebrow. "And providing for them includes figuring out ways to overthrow me?"

The man's eyes bugged out ever so slightly and he shook his head wildly. "I had to."

"No," The General deadpanned. She snapped her fingers, and behind her, Krios handed her Tempest, sheathed in its scabbard. She drew the bronze sword, relishing at its glimmer in the darkness and the reflection of the man's horrified face.

"Say your prayers," The General grinned a feral smile.

The man would never get the chance. Swift as an adder, the General swiped her blade against his throat, blood spilling down in a smile of its own before she stabbed him through the heart. A routine kill, one she'd had plenty of practice to execute.

The General turned on her heel, accepting the cloth from Krios to wipe the man's blood off Tempest's blade. She emerged from the execution room, and sure enough, there was Kaden, waiting her command.

"Issue a tribute to the family of that man," The General murmured. "You know the drill."

Kaden arched an eyebrow, but didn't challenge his commander's order. He turned on his heel and disappeared down the hall.

The General walked in silence back to her chambers, a feeling like nausea racking her frame. She slipped out of her jumpsuit and into her silken robe, the chill of the fabric offering some solace to her overheated mind and body.

What was wrong with her? These spells of weakness were becoming more and more frequent, and even the Medic couldn't determine an immediate cause. Apparently, it had been the same sort of symptoms that Mark had experienced before disappearing, and Dale was beginning to go through. The sickness had killed Madi, her sister, and now Tessa wondered if it would claim her as well.

"What happened to you, Thalassa?" A deep voice echoed in her head, and Tessa's eyes widened in fury. She turned around to face her mirror, and behind her own reflection stood the figure of a man with her own sea-green eyes, an aura of power, and dark hair.

Poseidon, her forsaken father.

"You know damn well what happened to me," Tessa spat into the mirror. "I became stronger than you."

Poseidon shook his head sadly. "What happened to the little girl I watched blossom into a bright young woman? The one who loved her mother with everything in her?"

Tessa felt the coil of ice snake around her heart. Her mother had been killed in a Valiance raid a few years ago, igniting her own ascent to leader of the Regiment.

"She died," Tessa managed.

Poseidon was silent, only giving her a disapproving look. How was he here? She'd renounced his title, banishing him to the depths of Tartarus with the rest of the Olympians.

"You could have been so much more," Her father spoke. "You could have amounted to more."

"I'm leader of the Regiment, what more is there?" Tessa breathed, her mind feeling on edge.

That's when more voices joined her father's. Her mother's, her sister's, the voices of her friends that she'd lost, the voices of villages and cities and empires she'd crumbled.

"Get out!" Tessa screeched. "Get out of my head!"

Tessa snatched a brush off of her vanity, and with full force, flung it at the mirror on the wall. It shattered into a million pieces, until Tessa's erratic breathing slowed down.

She was left staring at herself in a thousand different pieces, all shards of the person she used to be.

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