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“No,” Theon cut in, and Tessa could tell by his tone he’d reached his breaking point. Well, that and the darkness that had suddenly appeared. “Somehow you manage to keep evading our questions, but no more. We ask the questions, and you answer them.”

Darkness crept forward, and Sorin moved as if to step in front of Scarlett, but she held up a hand. “No need, Prince,” was all she said before her own shadows were swirling, those shadow panthers forming and snarling a warning. She took a single step forward, white flames appearing in her hand. “I have information for you, but if you threaten me again, you’re going to learn it in a very unpleasant way.”

“Threatenhimagain, and he won’t be your only problem,” Luka cut in, his eyes having shifted.

Scarlett bared her teeth at him. “I promise, dragon, my bite hurts more.”

Sorin stepped between his wife and Theon, his tone somehow placating and commanding when he said, “I know there are a lot of things at play here. Bonds and magic. Bloodlines and…aggressive personalities.” He glanced at Scarlett, who was still eyeing Luka as if she wouldenjoyshowing him just how much she meant her threat. “We already told you we came from another realm. That is a lot to take in. It is only natural that you have questions.”

“And yet she won’t answer them,” Theon said, and Tessa huffed another derisive laugh into her wineglass as she drained the last of it.

Theon turned, a brow arching in question. She’d like to say it was the wine that made her say what she did, but that would be a lie. She was already in a foul mood after the afternoon with Mother Cordelia, and she tended to be even more impulsive when she was in that state.

“It’s annoying, isn’t it?” Tessa mused, studying her empty wineglass.

“What is?” Theon asked.

“Asking questions and not getting answers.”

His eyes narrowed, but it was Axel who said, “He’s just annoyed he doesn’t have all the facts. He’s used to knowing everything all the time.”

“No, that’s not it,” Tessa said, her head tilting to the side as she held Theon’s stare. “He doesn’t like that he’s not the most powerful in the room.”

“I am the Arius Heir. I am one of the strongest in this realm,” Theon snapped, but Tessa’s smile only grew.

“And she just told you she is not from this realm.” She set her empty glass down on the end table before propping her chin in her hand. “Did you not notice she has the same magic you do? It appears you are not the only Arius Legacy in the room,Master.”

The dismayed scoff that came from Scarlett had them both turning to her, the female’s features twisted into clear disgust. “I’m sorry. Master?”

“She is my Source,” Theon gritted out. “That is the proper way to address the one you serve.”

There was an extended second of silence before Scarlett burst out laughing as she turned to Sorin, but he was already pinching the bridge of his nose. “I am not calling you Master or Mistress or anything of the kind.”

“Hold on,” Axel cut in. “Am I understanding that he is your Source?”

“Among other things,” Scarlett agreed.

“How?” Tessa asked, leaning forward to peer around Theon. “Where are his Source Marks?”

“On his forearm.”

“All of them?”

“All of…” Scarlett’s brow furrowed. “There is only one Source Mark.” When the room stayed silent, she asked, “How many do you believe there are?”

Still silence lingered until finally Theon said, “Four. There are four Source Marks.”

“I assure you, there are not,” Scarlett said, shaking her head.

Tessa was too… She didn’t know what she was feeling as she pushed to her feet, stepping around Theon. He reached for her, his fingers closing around her arm to keep her from moving any closer.

“How can there only be one?” Tessa asked, a tremor to her voice she wasn’t sure what to do with.

Something dark was filling the female’s features as she said, “How many do you have that you believe are Source Marks?”

“Two,” Tessa answered. “I am still to receive the final two.”

“I do not understand why you think there are four Source Marks,” Scarlett said, shaking her head. “Can I see them?”