Page 145 of Tempest of Wrath and Vengeance

“But if the interim leader of the kingdom that governs the Underground approached them, surely they would have to fall into line,” the Anala Lady said, still playing with the fire in her palm.

He felt all eyes land on him, and he sighed. “Kylian and Giselle are indeed hard to work with.”

“Are you saying you do not have control over a section of your kingdom?” Rordan asked with a smirk.

Theon shrugged. “They’re all still breathing, which is more than you can say for a section of yours.”

A streak of light erupted from the Lord’s palm, spearing for Theon, who managed to get a shield of darkness in place a second before the powers connected. It was still enough to make his chair slide backwards several feet though.

“What the fuck?” Theon demanded, already on his feet. His power pooled, snapping and straining for vengeance. Rordan was on his feet too, ire lining every part of his features.

And then a wall of fire erupted between them.

When it receded, the Anala Lady still held a large ball of flame in her hand. “If either of you throw one more attack, you will be feeling my flames instead of just looking at them.”

Tension blanketed the room, the Sources having all stepped in front of their Masters, ready to protect and defend them. Although, the Anala Lady’s Source stood at her side rather than in front of her.

“Things always get so heated in these meetings,” the Falein Lady sighed. “And always between your two kingdoms.”

“I wouldn’t know,” Theon ground out.

“Exactly,” Rordan spat, taking his seat once more as he straightened his suit. “You are too young and inexperienced. Too inexperienced to be running your mouth about things you know nothing of.”

“Isn’t it my job to know these things now?”

“Not until you are officially declared the Arius Lord.”

With another dramatic sigh, the Falein Lady said, “The missing Fae must be found. There is no reason not to have both the priestesses and the Shifters aiding us. Offer the Shifters an incentive to find them first if you must.”

Right.

An incentive to the Shifters.

Theon already knew what their price would be. He was already sporting the Bargain Mark for it, despite having found Axel.

“Weekly updates from each of you on this matter would be appreciated,” the Anala Lady added.

“Fine,” Rordan agreed begrudgingly. “Anything else?”

A huff of disbelief came from the Celeste Lady. “Yes. What are we going to do about Tessalyn? And do not say you have her handled because you clearly do not. She was under more control when she was with Theon than she has been with you.”

Theon couldn’t help the dark smile that curled on his lips at that, and he settled back in his chair to watch how this played out.

“You want me to give her back to the Arius Kingdom?” Rordan demanded.

“At least Legacy weren’t dying when she was with him,” the Anala Lady said casually.

“I will get her under control.”

Theon swallowed his chuckle. He’d said those same words once. More than once actually. He could tell the Achaz Lord exactly how that was going to go, but he kept quiet. This was something it seemed everyone needed to learn for themselves.

“Perhaps it is because she is separated from Theon?” the Anala Lady mused, her chin resting in her hand now. “We all know how the bond reacts when we are separated from our Sources for too long.”

“You want me to, what? Give himvisitationwith her?” Rordan mocked.

“You could ask her if that is something she would like,” Kyra replied with a small shrug.

“You are trying my last nerve this day, Kyra,” he ground out.

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