Page 126 of Storm of Secrets and Sorrow

He stepped to the side at the same moment Sasha, Dagian’s Source, opened the back door of the vehicle and a Fae stepped out.

“Dex?” Tessa said, and Theon felt her shock but also hesitation. “What are you doing here?”

Dex smiled softly at her before glancing quickly at Theon and Luka. “Lord Jove knew this would likely be a stressful situation for you. He was hoping my presence would make you a little more comfortable. A show of good faith, if you will.”

Tessa nodded slowly, taking a step forward, but she stilled when Theon reached for her arm. Violet-grey eyes blinked up at him in question.

“Do not trust them, Tessa,” he murmured. “Remember where your loyalties lie.”

“I trust no one, Theon,” she replied. “And I know exactly where my loyalties lie.”

With that, she tugged her arm from his grip and descended the steps. She returned the hug Dex pulled her into, albeit stiffly, and then she was climbing into the backseat.

A moment later, she was gone. He had no way to contact her. No way to see her. No way to protect her.

One week, he repeated himself.

But he knew all too well how much could change in one week.

PART TWO

OR TO FURY THEY BOTH LOSE

23

AXEL

“Congratulations,” Luka said as Axel climbed into the vehicle behind Katya.

It was weird to be in the backseat, but with Tessa gone, Theon was in the passenger seat and pissy as fuck. He’d hardly spoken all day, and when he did, it was mostly growled demands.

“Thank you,” Kat replied, settling into her seat with her hands in her lap.

“One of only twenty Fae to pass initial exams is impressive,” Luka said as he pulled the vehicle into traffic. “Especially for someone as powerful as you are.”

Her bands were in Axel’s pocket, and they quietly clinked together while he bounced his knee in anticipation. Rations should have been delivered by now.

“I’ve always been a quick study,” Kat said. “But we were also taught young that emotions have no place in academics, and since our powers are tied to our emotions, it makes sense that I excelled.”

“Were all the Fae who passed today from the Falein Estate?” Luka asked.

“Most of them,” she answered. “A couple were not. Corbin was originally from the Anala Estate.”

“What?” Theon asked, turning to look at her.

“He speaks,” Luka said dryly.

Ignoring him, Theon said, “Corbin? As in the Fae Tessa was friends with?”

“That Tessaisfriends with, yes,” Kat answered.

“He was raised at the Anala Estate?”

“Yes. He was transferred to the Celeste Estate a year or so before I was.”

“But he didn’t emerge with fire,” Theon said.

“For someone who is exceptionally educated, you state very obvious things much of the time. It is rather interesting to observe,” Katya replied.

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