50. Theon

Reeling from a golden Hunter blade, Theon shields Tessa while Tristyn and the wolves hold the line. With Traveling blocked and Hunters closing in, Theon orders Tristyn to call Luka. Two dragons—Luka and Razik—arrive, incinerate the Augury, vampyres, and Night Children, and scatter the threat.

Theon collapses as the Hunter poison paralyzes him. Razik forces a brutal cure, burning the poison out with dragon fire. Tessa, earlier stabbed by a Night Child, stabilizes as her light magic heals her. The group chooses a hidden route back to the Pantheon.

Through winding passages, they reach a secret chamber where Eliza stands with a collared male—Xan, Luka’s father. Tensions spike as Theon declares the Augury’s reading correct in one respect: the balance has tipped, the Fates will intervene, and they will come for Tessa.

Theon proposes a solution: hide Tessa outside Devram. He tasks Razik and Eliza with reaching Scarlett to world-walk Tessa elsewhere until a plan can be forged. Luka is ordered to go with Tessa and become her Guardian as intended.

When Tessa accuses Theon of betrayal, he reveals his true intent—to sacrifice Devram to save her, believing the Fates will destroy the realm when they fail to find her. He bids Tessa a tender, devastating farewell. Luka restrains the enraged, sobbing Tessa as Theon turns away, choosing to let her go.