Page 176 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“Today?” Luka repeated. “Today when?”

“This afternoon. You, me, Razik, Eliza, and Katya. I also got one for Tessa.”

“How’d you manage that?”

“Oh, you know. Accruing debts and owing favors,” Theon said. He paused before he asked, “Do you think she’ll go?”

Luka could hear the thread of hope in his voice, and it had him swiping up the water glass and heading back to the bedroom. “I’m sure she willwantto go, but I don’t think I’ll be able to get her away.”

He paused mid-step when he entered the bedroom. Tessa had rolled over, facing the bathroom door now, and her eyes were open, watching him. She hadn’t reached for the blankets. Still in the training clothes from days ago, the only thing he’d removed was her boots.

“See what you can do,” Theon said. “We have a portal scheduled from the Acropolis station at high noon.”

“Yeah, I’ll let you know,” he said before he hung up and set his phone aside.

The two stared at each other for several seconds before Luka held up the glass of water. “I’m going to need you to sit up and show me you can move.”

“I rolled over,” she rasped.

“I didn’t see it.”

“You’re worse than Theon.”

“I think you like it.”

Her brow pinched. “Like it?”

“Yes,” he answered, closing the distance between them so he stood directly beside her. She rolled onto her back to see him better, and something in him breathed a sigh of relief at seeing her just fucking move. “I think you like being taken care of.”

“I don’t need anyone to take care of me,” she said, and he knew she meant for it to sound strong and snappy, but it came out tired and resigned.

“I agree,” he said, holding out a hand. “You don’tneedit, but a part of you doesn’t mind it. Having someone care.” Before she could argue, he added, “I feel the same way when someone cares enough to take care of me. Even if it’s just making sure I’ve eaten something decent in a day, because yes, Theon gets annoying about that with me at times too.”

She opened her mouth to say something, but then closed it as she reached for his hand. He helped her into a sitting position, watching her wince when she slid her legs over the side of the bed. They were likely more than stiff after not moving for nearly two days. When she was situated, he handed her the water, watching her throat bob with each swallow. She drained the entire glass before he took it back.

“How long?” she asked, her voice clearer now that she’d had something to drink.

He knew what she was asking. How long she’d been asleep.

“Two days,” he answered.

Her fingers curled into the edge of the mattress, the light around her wrists not as bright as it usually was. He could tell she was lost in her own thoughts, probably thinking about all the visions she’d had during those hours.

“I was talking to Theon,” he offered, setting the glass aside.

“I know.”

“We didn’t want you to be overwhelmed upon waking.”

She nodded, looking anywhere but at him.

“We weren’t keeping anything from you, Tessa. In fact, he’s trying to include you.”

She huffed a disbelieving sound.

“I asked him to look into how I am being pulled into your visions, and he made some kind of deal with the Falein Lady for an afternoon at the Ekayan Catacombs,” Luka went on. “He secured a pass for you as well.”

That had her gaze sliding back to him. “She would never allow that right now. I am too much of a threat. I’m toouncontrollable. That’s why— Where is Dex?”

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