28. Theon

Auryon confronts Theon and Luka after the archive attack. Despite Luka’s suspicion and depleted reserves, Auryon offers herself as Tessa’s instructor and protector, displaying lethal abilities. Weighing recent threats and distrust of Cordelia’s control, Theon grants Auryon a trial—on the condition Luka supervise and Tessa’s concerns overrule the arrangement.

After Auryon leaves, Theon laments missing Tessa’s call and argues with Luka over the risk. Luka reveals he spoke with Tessa and that her fragile trust in Theon is growing, urging Theon to be present for her. Alone, Theon turns to research, translating an ancient text on the Sister Goddesses of Witchcraft and Sorcery.

Through the night, Theon deciphers that Taika and Zinta, powerful Lesser goddesses created by the Firsts to balance creation, combined gifts with others to shape life and, with the gods, helped create the Fae. Achaz later sought a child bearing both his and their gifts; when refused, he cursed their line, a blight that persisted even after he succeeded with a descendant of Zinta.

At dawn, Theon meets his father Valter and Eviana at breakfast. Valter demands a solution to sever Theon’s Source bond—accepting death as a fallback—and presses Theon to produce an heir with his Match before the Selection ends. When Theon resists, Valter withholds his rations and threatens Axel’s, using Eviana’s power to subdue Theon and reiterating his control.

Reeling from the coercion and recognizing the illusion of his autonomy, Theon concedes he lacks leverage. Resolute but strained, he prepares for Tessa’s return and calls Felicity as his next move.