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“And the Witch traits need to be taken into account,” Theon agreed. “There has to be at least one in her lineage. Her eyes. The way she knows things are going to happen. I don’t think she even realizes she can do that yet.”

“So she’s Arius, Achaz, and Witch?” Axel said doubtfully. “And you expect to find the answers in a book in Devram?”

“Where else do you suggest we look?” Theon asked, rubbing at his brow. “The smallest clue could lead us to the answer.”

Axel gave a half shrug, shutting the book and setting it aside. “There’s nothing in her file of information? Wouldn’t we be more likely to find a clue there?”

“We’ve read through it multiple times,” Theon sighed. “Luka was going through it again last night, but I’m sure he didn’t find anything. And if her files were altered, it’s pointless anyway.”

“We could go talk to the Estate Mother,” Axel suggested.

A soft sound came from Katya that had both the males turning to her. When she didn’t continue, Axel pressed, “Kat?”

“Sorry,” she murmured. “That was inappropriate and disrespectful.”

“You think speaking with Cordelia is a bad idea?” Theon asked. “Why? She’s known Tessa her whole life. She has to knowsomething.”

“I shouldn’t say anything,” Kat replied. “The Falein Estate Mother wasn’t someone I would call maternal by any means. None of the other Estate Mothers are either from what I’ve been told, but Mother Cordelia…”

“You can speak plainly, Kat. You know that,” Axel said.

Her hands fell to her lap, where she began wringing them together. “Mother Cordelia was strict and demanding when it came to interacting with the Fae.”

“Estate Mothers are not there to coddle the Fae,” Theon said. “They are there to make sure they are properly prepared for the Selection and their subsequent assignments.”

“Yes, but—” Kat stopped speaking abruptly.

“But what?”

“Nothing. Your statements are correct.”

“The Celeste Estate has consistently produced the most powerful Fae, even over the Anala Estate,” Theon continued.

Kat nodded, resuming the turning of her pages. “For over two decades.”

“Exactly, for the last twenty-three—” Theon sat forward, placing his hand on her book to stop her movements. Axel shifted forward too, his body tensing, but Theon ignored him. “You think it’s related to Tessa.”

Katya lifted her head, amber eyes meeting his. “I don’t believe in coincidences.”

“Neither do I.” After a few seconds of silence, he said, “Tell me your theories.”

“Oh, gods,” Axel grumbled. “I need a drink for this.”

While Axel left the room to get his alcohol, Theon checked his phone again, cursing at the blank screen.

“I don’t have much in terms of theories about that,” Kat said, idly turning pages in her book as she spoke. “I was not raised there. I only experienced her for three months of my twenty-two years.”

“And you have no ideas as to why you were moved there?”

“NowI do,” she answered, as if it were obvious. “My power.”

“I’ve seen your file. There was nothing in there about fire or even estimated power levels,” Theon countered. “How would she have known?”

“Exactly. How is she consistently producing the most powerful Fae? Sure, the other estates have a few every Selection Year, but to always have the most?”

“It’s not coincidence,” Theon said.

“It’s not.”