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“I’m just going to assume you are not of this realm at this point,” Theon said, rubbing at his temples. He was hoping to get at least an hour of sleep tonight. That clearly would not be happening.

“Why do you assume that?” Auryon asked, those strange eyes of hers constantly swirling.

“I’ve never seen you before, and your power would have been noticed.”

“Do you regularly peruse the archives beneath the Pantheon?”

“No.”

“Then perhaps I have simply been there this entire time.”

Theon stared back at her, not sure how to respond to such a thing.

“You are obviously not a scholar,” Luka cut in.

He’d been a bundle of broodiness since he learned there had been a fight and he hadn’t been present for it. Now he was in full Guardian mode, hovering between him and Auryon. His pupils were vertical slits, glowing bright blue, and smoke lingered every time he exhaled.

“You are clearly observant,” she replied.

Theon was surprised the glare Luka gave the female wasn’t laced with fire.

“There have been a lot of people suddenly making appearances these last weeks,” Theon cut in. “All of them are tied to Tessa, so I can only assume that is why you are here.”

“And if it is?”

“While your actions tonight proved you are not on the side of the Augury, and we are grateful for your aid in saving Katya, your motives are still in question,” he replied.

“That is wise of you,” she said.

Theon arched a brow. “That is brave of you to say and imply your intentions may be anything but favorable.”

“No more brave than you threatening me with depleted power reserves,” she said, that manic grin widening.

“My reserves are just fine,” Luka cut in, baring his teeth.

Auryon looked him up and down. “Until he starts drawing from you.”

“The fact remains that your magic is rare and would have been noticed long before now,” Theon said.

“Are there not beings hidden in your own kingdom beneath your mountains?” Auryon countered. “How naïve of you to believe the other kingdoms do not have secret beings of their own.”

Theon didn’t have it in him to contemplate that right now. There were too many other things he needed to focus on. Too many other things he couldn’t stop thinking about. He didn’t have it in him to add that to his already too long list of things to figure out. The fact was everything he thought he’d known about their realm had been twisted around since he Selected Tessa, and every day he felt a little more control slip away.

“Get on with it then,” Theon said, ready for her to get to the point. “What is it you want? She’s not here if you are hoping to speak with her.”

“I wasn’t looking for her. I was looking for you,” Auryon replied.

Theon’s brows rose. “For me?”

“Is it not appropriate to go through you to get to her?”

That was one way to try to gain his trust, he supposed.

“There is a rumor that you are seeking a new instructor for her,” Auryon went on. “I wished to inquire about the position.”

He let out a bark of incredulous laughter. “You cannot be serious.”

“I am always serious.”