Page 243 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

Before he could respond, the door opened again, his parents striding in with Eviana. Tessa’s entire demeanor instantly changed, and she stepped away from Theon. She set her empty wineglass to the side as she bowed her head to his father. Demure. Controlled.

In short, the perfect Source.

Maybe she’d been paying more attention than Theon had realized.

Theon said a tight greeting to his father before pressing a quick kiss to his mother’s cheek, Axel doing the same. Drinks were ordered, and soon enough, the Emerging Ceremony was underway. His father paid little attention, constantly moving in and out of their box to visit others. He wouldn’t care much until the Sources’ emergings happened.

Which was fine. The space was less tense when he was gone. His mother had left an hour ago. Theon was certain he wouldn’t see her again until the Sources were up as well.

“Do you know him?” Axel asked Tessa.

She stood between them, Luka to Theon’s left. For the most part, she’d been quiet, not wanting to be caught acting inappropriately by his father. But Theon had watched her more than he’d watched the happenings below. He’d watched the small frown appear when a Fae she clearly knew emerged with a decent power level. He’d heard her small scoff when another one had displayed a strong earth element. And he’d felt her tense as the Fae below was escorted to a ring.

Theon recognized him from the phone call. He was one of the two that were involved together.

Tessa cleared her throat before she said, “Yes. That is Corbin.”

“Which element is he predicted to have?”

“Water, but he is brilliant with technology,” she murmured, engrossed in the ritual taking place.

Her hands were curled tightly around the railing, and Theon could see the slight tremor in them. He wanted to touch her, knowing the bond would ease that anxiety, but for all he knew, his touch would also send her over an edge.

The priestess stepped forward, and Corbin lifted his arm. Her scion pressed to his skin, tracing atop a Mark that was already there. A Mark the Fae couldn’t see, not without the blood of a god in their veins. The moment she lifted the scion, a burst of water had the male’s clothes soaked as he coughed and spluttered. Water element. Just as his assessments had predicted, according to Tessa.

He was escorted down and sent to receive the identifying marking on his wrist next to his estate marking. Tessa had relaxed next to him, a sigh of relief escaping her. What had she been so worried about?

The ceremonies continued, Theon noting a few Fae he wanted to keep an eye on. He watched as a few more of her friends went through the ritual. The female from the phone call produced water as well, while Lange emerged with air.

They were nearing the last few Fae when Axel straightened. “Do you know her?”

Tessa had started pacing back and forth, becoming increasingly fidgety as the night wore on. Theon couldn’t decide if it was nerves or if it was the lack of windows in the arena. She paused now, glancing down to where a brown-skinned female was being led to a ring. Even from here, Theon could tell she was pretty with bright amber eyes and thick black hair that wound in tight curls.

“Her name is Kat,” Tessa answered, resuming her pacing.

“Like the animal?” Axel asked, his head tilting as he watched the female below.

“No,” Tessa said, her annoyance heavy. “Her full name is Katya. We call her Kat.”

“Do you know what element she is predicted to emerge with?”

“No, but I’m sure we’ll know any moment.”

Axel sipped on his drink. “Just for clarity’s sake, you still pissed at me, baby doll?”

“Furious,” she replied, sounding anything but. The word was cheerful, and why did that only increase Theon’s anxiety?

Axel hummed an acknowledgement, watching as the Fae below removed her sandals and stepped onto the platform. “We need to claim her,” he said suddenly.

“Repeat that,” Theon replied, completely dumbfounded.

“Claim her. Now,” Axel said, his eyes fixed on the scene below.

“We can’t claim her. We don’t even know her element,” Theon argued.

“I am telling you to claim her. Luka, grab a vial.”

“Have you lost your godsdamn mind?” Theon asked. “Father will be livid.”

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