20. Luka

Luka senses Tessa’s return through their bond and struggles to stay away. She Arrives bloodstained, admits she killed two Legacy at the Sirana Villas, and radiates uncontrolled, post-battle energy. Luka confirms she came back with Brecken and that others remain at the Villas. He methodically takes control: orders Tessa to shower, burns her bloody clothes, and scrubs away footprints to erase evidence.

While Tessa cleans up, Luka messages Theon, revealing the killings happened at the Villas and that Tessa is riding a post-victory high. Theon, unaware of Villas behind the manor, promises to look into it and pointedly tells Luka, “I trust you.”

Returning to Tessa, Luka offers help. Provoked by her anger and need, he refuses to decide for her and demands she ask for what she wants. Tessa admits she cannot trust him. The admission ignites a charged encounter: Luka kisses her and brings her to release with his hands and controlled magic, but he does not have sex with her, honoring his loyalty to Theon while still giving Tessa the grounding she needs.

Afterward, Tessa asks to sleep in his bed. In the dark, Luka confirms Roan’s improving condition and probes whether the dead Legacy were Arius-aligned; Tessa will not say. She tells Luka she cannot trust him because his loyalty belongs to Theon, yet confesses she wishes it were to her, dismissing hope as something for heroes, not monsters. The night ends with intensified tensions and complicated loyalties.