14. Tessa

Tessa retreats to the Wynfell River, reeling from her confrontation with Theon and alarmed by her unruly power. In a dark moment by the icy water, internal bonds pull her back from self-destruction. Night Children emerge, hired under a Secrecy Mark, accusing Theon of betraying them by bonding with Tessa.

Tessa attempts a precise strike but misfires, and panic lets her magic seize control, lashing out indiscriminately. As she considers summoning Hunters, Auryon arrives and forbids it; Roan and Nylah join the fight. Tessa’s chaotic lightning nearly hits Roan, and a vampyre tears into Roan’s throat, leaving him collapsing in the snow.

Luka arrives, black flames wrenching the attacker off Roan. With Roan failing, Tessa begs for help, and Luka Travels them to Theon’s stables, where an animal Healer, Shea, can intervene. Theon appears, keeps his distance, but honors his promise to give Tessa what she needs and summons additional healers, Cienna and Gia.

As Shea assesses, Auryon reveals Roan and Nylah are divine Trackers from the god realms; they can be killed despite their nature. The prognosis is uncertain, so Theon urges Luka to take Tessa to change while the healers work. Tessa, torn but spent, agrees and leaves Roan in Theon’s care.

In Luka’s rooms, Tessa showers, dresses in his oversized sweatshirt, and waits for word while processing guilt and fear. After Theon’s update that the healers continue working, Tessa asks Luka to train her to control her power and fight like him and Theon. Luka accepts, promising they begin tomorrow.