Page 164 of Rain of Shadows and Endings

Theon met his brother’s eyes and gave him a small nod of thanks. Tessa hadn’t eaten all day. They’d offered. Multiple times. She’d declined all day other than the few bites she’d taken of the doughnut this morning. He didn’t really care what she ate at this point, just that she was eating.

“Naturally, it would take several weeks,” Luka answered.

“How else would you refill them if not naturally? You don’t get a Source, right?”

“No, Tessa. I do not get a Source. Only the ruling Lords, Ladies, and their heirs get a Source. You know this.”

Luka glanced at Theon in the rearview mirror, and he steeled himself for what she was about to learn.

“Fae blood can refill Legacy power reserves, Tessa,” Theon said. His arm was still spread along the back of the seat, and he resisted the urge to pull her back to him when she twisted back to face him.

“What do you mean Fae blood can refill Legacy magic reserves?”

He pushed out a breath, swiping his other hand down his face. “All the Legacy, save for those with Sources they can draw from, are given a ration of Fae blood each week to use as they see fit. So they do not need to wait for their power reserves to refill naturally.”

The doughnut she’d taken a few bites of was now forgotten in her hand. “But where do they get this Fae blood?”

“After Selection, when Fae are assigned to their kingdoms, they are required to donate blood weekly as part of their duties,” Theon answered, not breaking her stare.

“Donating,” she scoffed. “Why aren’t we told about this?”

“You are. During the Selection year process, Fae are told.”

Tessa nodded, her eyes falling to her lap. After a long minute of silence, Theon reached over and took the half-eaten doughnut from her hand. She slid along the seat, back to the opposite door, and he let her go.

He’d let her sleep in that small godsdamn room last night, draping a heavy blanket over her after she’d fallen asleep. He hadn’t slept at all, the bond making him agitated, and he’d had the entire night to let her words replay over and over.

What will you do when you have taken everything and left me with nothing?

I’m a nobody with nothing to give.

Congratulations. You already won.

And again he wondered what had she experienced in her life at the Estate? What had pushed her to this point? To believe she was nothing?

He could try to tell her that wasn’t true. That she was more than power to him, but she had refused to speak about it this morning. He had a feeling she would refuse now. Tonight. Tomorrow. He’d lost control and said too much last night.

And now?

Now she had no reason to believe anything he said.

* * *

When they reached Dark Haven, they all changed into appropriate clothing. Luka, Axel, and Theon donned black pants and button-down shirts. Tessa slipped into a simple sheath dress of emerald green that clung to all her curves. She slid on black heels before he took her hand and led her through the portal where they emerged at the Acropolis portal station.

The guards were all from the Celeste Kingdom, extra sentries brought into the Acropolis during Selection Years, and they all bowed to him and Axel as they came through. Others would be required to provide identification, but not the Arius Heirs. One looked as if he was going to ask Luka for papers, but one glare from Theon as he handed over the documents for Tessa had the male dropping his gaze. He hardly glanced at Tessa’s papers before handing them back to him, the guard’s hand shaking slightly.

Another vehicle was waiting for them, along with a driver. Luka had stalked towards him and only held out his hand. The driver wasted no time dropping the keys into his open palm before backing away. There was no way they would allow a driver to accompany them. Anyone could have paid the male to spy on them and report back on their movements and conversations.

The trip to the Greater District of the Acropolis wasn’t long. The Greater District was where all the ruling families and upper council members had townhouses. The ruling families also had manors on the outer edges of the Acropolis, but Theon had wanted to be closer to the Pantheon. The townhouses were a ten minute walk. Not only that, when his father did visit throughout the year, he’d be staying at the family manor.

They pulled into the drive of the three-story brick townhouse. Although, to be honest, it really couldn’t be considered a townhouse. It was bigger than the document forger’s two-story house had been. The main level consisted of a full kitchen with a pantry and wine cellar. A formal dining room, sitting room, and lounge were also on the floor, along with a study. The second floor held two rooms with their own bathrooms. The primary bedroom and bathroom took up the entire third floor.

As he’d told Tessa, the entire place had been renovated since he’d stayed here five years ago with his father. Even then, it had only been to observe some of the Selection proceedings. He hadn’t been permitted to stay the entirety of the year. Axel hadn’t been allowed to attend at all.

Theon helped Tessa out of the vehicle once Luka had parked in the attached garage, and they entered through a side door into a small foyer. Tessa was looking around, Luka and Axel brushing past her with small bags in hand that housed their computers and whatever other personal belongings they’d brought along.

“Pen?” Axel called, dropping his messenger bag just inside the hall and undoing the top button of his shirt. None of them had donned a tie, but that was as informal as they dared let themselves get.

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