Page 53 of Legacy

“Then you want to replicate it,” Kai surmised.

“We spent a very long time trying to find a way to create a failsafe for Ariana, for her peace of mind and that of thesupernatural world. But all our attempts failed despite the collective knowledge of the greatest minds in the supernatural world that exists within our family. The simple reason why it wasn’t possible? We couldn’t find a stabilizing agent.”

“A magic-wielder’s power has been known to change, to evolve. You were searching for said failsafe and stabilizing agent when she was young. She’s changed since then. Much like Ryker Morgan’s magic evolving in such a profound way as to produce his uniquedefensive magicability,” Kai responded.

“Much likeyourevolved ability to counter magical interference, even the profound power of Ariana’s energy?”

They all started at my knowledge of that.

“That won’t be shared. It’s only me who’s noticed. No one else in the family. And should your parents ever become aware of it, it won’t be from me,” I assured Kai.

“I appreciate it. But it’s not enough of an act of trust to delve into the failsafe issue.”

“What do you want then?”

“Not to replicate the failsafe. If something is to be created, it has to be specific to Cassius only.”

“We’d require his blood or his magic at the very least.”

“I’m aware. The fact is, the existence of the failsafe via the Aetherbound Scepter is a risk in itself. But Ari wanted it forged. It made her feel better. In a way, it helped to empower her, before what happened out there earlier, before she knew she could control her power fully in the impressive way that she achieved there. But even though it exists by her will and approval, it’s still a risk if it was ever snatched by the wrong person. If we created more of the same in a bid to defeat Cassius and also force back the Celestial Plane from sending further agents to fulfill this bargain forced upon Ariana, it would also mean creating weapons that had the ability to harmher.With the Scepter, I have the means to destroy it at any moment, forany reason that I see fit. That wouldn’t be the case if word got out and others came to know the formula used for creating such a thing.” He folded his arms across his chest as he regarded me, the other two looking on and nodding in agreement with what he was saying. “It would be like creating duplicates of the Wrath of Hades. Yes, it defeated Draco, but it also tookyouout in the process. Nobody wants that situation repeating itself.”

That was a definite gut punch.

“Your concerns are valid. Up until the point of us creating something specific to Cassius, or at least unable to harm Ariana entirely, and only targeted against True Celestials loyal to the Celestial Plane.”

“It’s too dangerous, Mom.”

I turned to see Ariana leaning against the archway, arms folded across the chest of the fluffy white bathrobe she was wearing. Her hair was still damp and she looked exhausted, both physically and mentally, the sight making my heart ache.

But the worst part?

The worst part was seeing myself in her.

That version of myself from years ago who’d been in a situation so similar to hers now.

Bound by a bargain I hadn’t made myself.

Forced to fulfill a duty I hadn’t asked for.

And that was why I was pushing this notion of a failsafe now, trying to find a way to spare her that fate.

“Cassius warned me that should anyone interfere in what he’s here to do with his Guide role, there would be severe consequences. He vowed not to lay a hand on the guys, or my family, so long as you all stood down. What happened on that mountaintop before he made that vow to me… I can’t stand the thought of it repeating again, of any of you getting hurt like that.”

“I understand. Then we’ll keep your boyfriends out of it. It will fall to me and the family only.”

“Mom—”

“This is our doing, my darling. It stands to reason that we should be the ones to find a way to undo it.”

“Having my entire family at risk isn’t something I can reconcile. Ever. It will just make everything worse. Worse than the secret coming out and the weight of this duty being revealed.”

“I shouldn’t have insisted we kept this bargain a secret from you. I wanted to protect you so much.” I shoved my hand through my hair. “I knew about the duty I was bound by for a long while before it came about, and it impacted every decision I made. I caused me to be withdrawn and cold, and I missed out on a great deal. It shaped me… in a negative way. I didn’t want that foryou.” I sighed. “But it was clearly a mistake. Now it’s come as such a shock, an awful weight that you’ve had no time to absorb. I’m sorry.”

“Iwasmad and upset about the secret. But, honestly, there was no right way to do this. It probably would have impacted me, like you described it doing to you. I just… what really upset me was that you didn’t trust me, didn’t trust in my power, that you were all so afraid of what I would do if I found out. But now, hearing you explain it, it’s clear it wasn’t predominantly about that after all.”

“It was a mixed bag. And that’s our mistake,mymistake. Seeing you out there, the way you managed to get control in such a profound way, despite never having had the know-how to do something like that, because power like yours doesn’t exist anywhere else on this plane… it was beyond impressive. I can’t begin to describe just how proud that I am of you.”

“Thank you, Mom. Butthat, the lack of knowledge about my power… that’s the upside to this duty. To Cassius being here. He’s a fount of information about it all, aboutme.”

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