Page 205 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

“By fucking her?” Theon replied flatly.

“How else do you plan on producing an heir?” Luka asked, and Theon saw the slight twitch of his lips.

This fucker was teasing him.

“You can both fuck off. Where is Tessa?”

The small bit of mirth on his face instantly vanished, and Luka pushed out a harsh breath, raking his hand through his hair again. “Before I tell you that, I need to tell you something else. And before I tell you that, I need you to remember we are in public with dozens of Legacy who will take any chance they can to observe weakness.”

“This sounds ominous,” Axel muttered, setting his drink aside and leaning forward, bracing his elbows on his knees.

“What is it, Luka?”

“Tristyn is here.”

“Who the fuck is Tristyn?” Axel asked.

But Theon knew exactly who the fuck Tristyn was.

“The mortal is here?” Theon demanded.

“Oh, fuck,” Axel hissed under his breath, and Theon felt it then. Both of their powers subtly pressing against him. Axel’s shadows were a mist that was unnoticeable, and Luka’s was a low black flame that blended in with the low lighting of the lounge. Both of them prepared to combat his power if he lost control.

“There’s more,” Luka said.

“Where is Tessa?” Theon gritted out, his darkness pressing at his being and shadows clouding his vision.

“Tristyn is not a mortal.”

“What?” Theon hissed. “How in the realms do you figure that?”

“For starters, he’s here. On this level. At an event for Legacy.”

“Don’t be a smart ass. If he’s a Legacy, why did we all assume he was mortal when we ran into him in Rockmoor?”

“I don’t know. Perhaps Tessa will have some insight. She’s been dancing with him for the last ten minutes,” Luka answered.

Theon was already on his feet, striding straight for the dance floor across the room. “Why are you just telling me this now?”

“Because she seems to have some sort of connection with him. Maybe she’ll get us information—”

“I don’t want her to get anything from him,” Theon snarled, already spotting her golden hair where Tristyn was indeed twirling her around the dance floor to some fast-paced number. Her eyes were bright as she tipped her head back in laughter, and the pair had gathered quite a crowd.

Luka and Axel were both gripping his arms, tugging him to a stop.

“We need to decide how to handle this,” Axel murmured.

“I will handle it by making him choke on darkness before hauling him to the Underground for tampering with a Source,” Theon said darkly.

“Or we think about this rationally. Which bloodline is he from? Which kingdom is he loyal to? Can we sway him?” Axel countered.

Godsdamnit. Theon knew he was right, but all he could see was the male’s hands on what was his. All he could hear was her laughing with a male that wasn’t him. All he could feel was the failure weighing down on him.

“If we charge in there and use our power, not only will everyone assume you do not have control of your Source, but the extent of our powers will be revealed,” Luka murmured in a low voice. “Your father will not be pleased.”

“And you think he is going to be pleased by this?” Theon demanded, his hands clenching into fists in his pockets.

“I am saying we need to be smart about this.”

---