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“From what I can tell, she is the source of every problem we are suddenly facing,” Valter countered. “Perhaps it would be prudent to simply rid ourselves of her now.”

“You know she will be an asset,” Theon argued. “Her predicted power levels alone show that. If they are wrong after tomorrow’s ceremony, then I agree with you.”

Luka’s hand was still over her mouth despite his entrancing, and an arm wrapped around her waist. “Be still, Tessa,” he murmured.

But her entire body was trembling. She couldn’t control it. Uncontrollable. That’s what she’d always been, and now it was going to cost her life.

And she couldn’t help the sudden rush of relief that went through her at the thought.

All these years of wishing for death, and now she was this close to finally having it. The idea of dying was terrifying, but the idea of truly not having to care anymore? That idea was freeing.

“I have no choice but to be agreeable to that,” Valter agreed begrudgingly. “But I would suggest you observe the Fae closely tomorrow.”

“I will make sure I have alternates in mind to discuss with you if necessary,” Theon replied, the tension in his shoulders easing a fraction.

Valter was silent, giving a mute nod of his head, and Tessa thought they were done. That Valter would do nothing else until after the ceremony tomorrow. That she could prepare herself for everything to come, but then Valter spoke once more.

“Eviana, bring her.”

Tessa had momentarily stopped trembling, but now her body vibrated so violently, her teeth clattered as Eviana came in from the other room with Pen. The female was bound in vines, and as they came closer, another thick rope of thorny vines appeared in Eviana’s hand. There were no plants in this townhouse. Most Fae with the earth element needed some sort of nature around them. Only the strongest of the element could conjure it directly. It was unheard of for Fae. Only the Legacy of Silas were known to be able to do so.

“What is the meaning of this?” Theon demanded, taking a step towards Pen then stilling.

“There are still consequences for your multiple failures, Theon,” Valter answered, casually swiping up his drink and taking a sip. He smacked his lips a few times, studying the liquid before he said, “A fate similar to your previous servant should do.”

“No!” Axel and Theon yelled at the same time, and Luka’s hold around her waist intensified to where Tessa was finding it hard to draw breath. She didn’t understand what was happening. She knew their previous caretaker had been Caris and that she had died, but…

“I’ll take it,” Theon said. “The failures are mine. Whatever the punishment for that failure, I will accept.”

Valter rolled his eyes, a scowl forming. “Still your greatest weakness. Always needing to be a godsdamn martyr.” He strode towards Eviana and Pen, sliding his fingers along Eviana’s torso as he moved. “But it certainly makes getting my point across easier.”

“Father, please—”

“Enough, Theon!” he barked, and Theon fell silent.

Tessa couldn’t see his face, but she could feel the dread rolling off of him. Surely he wasn’t going to let this happen. This was Pen. They adored her. He would do something.

But he didn’t.

He stood still, Axel beside him.

“What shall it be this time?” Valter mused.

There was a second of tense silence, and then Pen cried out, blood appearing around the binds at her wrists as thorns grew and dug into her flesh.

Neither Theon nor Axel moved.

“No additional begging or pleading this time, boys?” Valter asked with a mocking grin.

Neither one spoke. It didn’t even look like either was breathing. Why didn’t they do something? Surely Luka could do something. Why was no one doing anything?

But no one moved as Eviana produced a wooden stake and shoved it into Pen’s side, blood dripping to the floor.

No one said anything as Valter berated them and told Theon this was his fault for failing.

No one did anything as a dagger was produced and dragged across the female’s middle.

It wasn’t until Eviana sent the vine in her hand snaking up Pen’s body to her throat, wrapping tightly and thorns growing and digging in with every pass, that someone finally moved.