Page 218 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

Luka sighed as the door shut behind Theon. Tessa was already in position, waiting for him to begin his torture.

“Tell me what happened last night,” Luka said, crossing his arms where he stood before her.

Tessa blinked at him, unsure of what to say.

“I swear to Sargon, I will entrance you, Tessa. I don’t have near the patience that Theon graces you with.”

“Why don’t you just ask Theon?”

“Because he has enough to deal with right now, which is why I am dealing with you.”

“Dealing with me,” she deadpanned.

Luka’s lips curved into a mocking sneer. “Don’t like that choice of words, little one?”

When she didn’t answer, he moved before she could register what was happening. Her feet were swiped out from beneath her, and she was on her back with an audible “oomph.”

Luka stood over her, a foot on each side of her hips, his hair hanging forward and brushing his jawline.

“Tell me what happened last night.”

“You’re not my Master,” she sneered back.

“No. I would have never chosen you as my Source,” Luka agreed. “But here I am. Forced to deal with your constant attitude. How is that fair?”

“Fair?” Tessa admonished, her hands clenching at her sides. “Do not speak to me about what is fair, Luka Mors.”

“Tell me about last night.”

“No.”

Then she was hissing as the flames at her wrists bit into her skin.

“I can and will do this all day, Tessa. My loyalty is to Theon, not to you. I will do whatever I have to keep him protected.”

“A slave to a bond, just like me,” she mocked.

Luka dropped down, straddling her waist so he could bring his face closer to hers. “I chose my bond, little one.”

“You were forced to choose it,” she countered. “It was Theon or Valter.”

“That’s a fair statement, but do you see me bemoaning my situation day in and day out?”

“That’s different.”

“You just said it was a bond, just like yours. Which is it, Tessa? It’s only the same thing when it fits your narrative?”

“What is your problem?” she snapped, her hands shoving against Luka’s chest. Not that he went anywhere. That was solid muscle beneath her palms, and dragon fire made his flesh so godsdamn hot all the time. But for the love of the gods, he’d been different since they’d arrived at the Acropolis too. So had Axel. Just like Theon. Any lightness they’d shown her in their time at Arius House was gone.

“You are not the only one forced into shitty situations, Tessa,” Luka replied. “You have far more in common with me, with Theon, with Axel, than you realize. The difference is the three of us aren’t lying down and letting it happen. We don’t sit around and stare out windows all fucking day. You don’t want this? Fight back.”

“What do you think I have been doing for weeks?”

“Whining,” he sneered, pushing off of her and getting to his feet.

“Whining?” she all but screeched, quickly getting to her own feet.

“Yes. Whining.”

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