30. Theon

Theon races home to find Tessa asleep in Luka’s room, banded after she lost control in a storm of grief. He and Luka piece together that the Augury attack and Theon’s forced absence were orchestrated so Felicity could be found in Theon and Tessa’s rooms, shattering Tessa’s trust.

In the morning, Theon explains he learned of Tessa’s early return late, dropped Felicity at the townhouse during the chaos, and focused on reaching Tessa. Tessa fixates on guilt and on Theon’s bargain-bound Match to Felicity, revealing she has begun seeing visions. She speaks with eerie calm and emotional numbness, insisting outcomes are fixed and that Theon will always belong to someone else.

Theon denies any intimacy with Felicity and argues the attack targeted him, not Tessa. Luka warns Tessa’s void of feeling is dangerous. Theon removes Tessa’s bands; she shows improved control of light and violet power. He proposes consulting Cienna about visions, admitting he suspected Tessa’s Seer gift since the Underground.

At breakfast, Tessa confirms Katya is safe, declines sweets, and asks for training and Lost Language lessons. Later, Theon seeks clarity; Tessa says their roles—Source and Master under binding bargains—remain unchanged despite his pleas. She agrees to fulfill their bargain, giving Theon time to find a solution while she focuses on learning and control.