Page 202 of Sienna Rossi: Beyond Shattered Trust

The wind tears through the shattered remains of our surroundings that have been destroyed in the clash earlier.

He glances at Jayce, then chuckles, the same chuckle that Grandpa Al has… It’s eerie how similar they look.

“A god?” The amusement in his voice immediately makes my stomach tighten. “I’m no servant to a god.”

There is no arrogance in the statement, just the certainty of a man who truly believes that, and that’s even more unnerving.

I frown. Is he a primordial?

“Then what are you?” Jayce asks.

“The gods choose champions and hand out fragments of power, calling it destiny.” His gaze settles on Jayce. “Zeus chose you.” Then his gaze shifts to me. “The Will – an entity – chose her.” A cold smile touches his lips.

“What are you getting at?” Ares growls.

Vincenzo ignores him; instead, he raises a brow. “What did either of you do to earn it? The gods call power a gift, but these so-called gifts always come with chains.”

The battlefield seems to still around us.

“Every blessing comes with expectation. Every favour comes with obligation. Every chosen champion belongs to something greater than themselves. The difference between us is simple.” His voice lowers. “You were given power. I built mine.”

A chill runs down my spine because of the conviction behind his words.

“What do you mean you built yours?” I ask.

He glances at Royce. “Whilst others prayed, I studied. Whilst others sought blessings, I sought knowledge. Whilst others waited to be chosen, I tore power from the world itself and claimed it as my own.”

“So what? You think it makes you free?” Jayce asks. “That without a god blessing you, you’re somehow stronger?”

“You think I sought freedom?” Vincenzo’s eyes darken. “Freedom is a consolation prize for people too weak to seize power.”

I stare at him. Is he really telling the truth? Is there really no god behind him? But he has so much power…

I think he is, but who fucking knows, Jayce replies quietly.

“So, if you don’t serve a god, then why are you and your people trying to destroy the barrier?” Royce asks.

“The gods want it gone for their own reasons; who said I’m doing it for them?”

“Or you think you’re not,” Heaven says.

“You’re a feisty one.” He smirks coldly. “For thousands of years, the barrier has protected this realm. The barrier protects us from them, or so everyone says.”

“It’s the truth; that’s why people say it. Should I call you Uncle? Or Cousin? Frankly, I don’t really like you,” Ahren remarks mockingly.

“Likewise, I despise those who run,” Vincenzo shoots back icily.

I know everyone is derailed by his identity, and it’s only going to be worse the moment we get home.

“But that’s actually incorrect. The barrier protects them.”

The words hang in the air, and I glance at Jayce, but his eyes are fixed on Vincenzo.

“From what?” Royce asks.

He smirks and gestures at the barrier between us. “From exactly the same thing that this barrier is protecting you from – me.”

For a moment, none of us speaks, because whatever he’s saying, he really believes it.