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Luka watched her, and gods, she felt like he could see right through her. Because he was right. She hadn’t fought back. She hadn’t struggled. She hadn’t cared.

The silence in the training room was loud. Too loud. She wanted to run her hands through her hair, tug at the ends just to ground herself, but she also didn’t want to give Luka the satisfaction. Didn’t want him to know just how right he was.

Instead, she said, “Does Theon know?”

His head tilted the smallest amount, and it was so animalistic, she could see the dragon that lurked beneath his skin. “Know what? That you didn’t fight back? Or that you don’twantto fight back?”

“I’ve told him before that I’ve thought death to be a kinder option more than once,” she answered.

“Theonisdeath, Tessa.”

She blinked at his words.

“But that aside, I haven’t said anything to Theon about last night.”

“Why?”

“Because you get to feel this way, Tessa. Anyone who’s lived the life you have, who’s learned new truths about who they are, who’s been forced into something they don’t want would feel the same. Wehavefelt the same. But like I told you before, only you get to decide what to do with those feelings. Only you get to decide how long you’re going to feel sorry for yourself before you decide to do something about it. Until then, this training time is pointless and not worth my time if you’re not ready to fight back.”

“Not worth your time?” she repeated, the words slicing deep.

Too much of a hassle.

“Don’t twist my words around, Tessa,” he growled, a thumb and forefinger gripping her chin. “I did not sayyouwere not worth my time. I saidtrainingis pointless if you’re not even going to try.” She nodded once, but he held firm when she tried to look away. “I’m sayingyouneed to decide you’re worth it. Even on the hard days. Even on the days you feel like giving up. Even on the days where it feels pointless. You need to decideyouare worth it.”

“What is the point?” Tessa retorted. “You want me to try? For what? So everyone can take what they want from me? Pass me around as they see fit? Use me?”

Luka straightened, releasing her chin. “You have this self-centered idea that you are the only one who’s ever been in the position of being wanted for what they can give. Why do you think Valterwantedme, Tessa? Because of what I would be to him when I was of age. Because I was the only one in Devram. Because of what he could use me for.”

Tessa blinked at him. She’d never really thought of it that way before.

“And while we’re talking about it, what are his children to him? Does he notusethem to further his own goals? I told you once before you have far more in common with the three of us than you realize. You’re not so different.”

“I don’t want to be one of you,” she snarled, her power stirring beneath her skin at her irritation.

Luka gave her a cruel smile. “I don’t think you know what you want, Tessa. I think you’re so used to letting someone else take care of you, dictate your every move, and make decisions for you, that when you’re given control, it terrifies you because you have no idea what to do with it. So you let people take care of you. You let others dictate your every move and decide for you.”

“Fuck you, Luka Mors.”

“Until you start fighting for yourself, we’re done here.”

“Fine.”

“Fine,” he retorted. “Grab your shit. I’ll take you to Theon. He can decide where you park your ass until it’s time for your afternoon lessons.”

“I hate all of you,” she spat, grabbing the small bag that held her phone and a few other items.

“Right now, the feeling is pretty fucking mutual.”

9

THEON

Theon stepped into the warm foyer, Luka shutting the door behind them. Quickly removing his coat, he hung it on a hook before following the bond that told him Tessa was nearby. Today had been her first afternoon of lessons with Cordelia and the other Sources. He’d wanted to be there when she got done, but he’d been in meetings with his father. Axel had escorted her home with Katya, as he did every night.

He followed the bond down the hall, voices carrying from the dining room a moment later. When he rounded the corner, he found the three of them placing serving dishes on the table. Ford wasn’t much of a cook—nothing like Pen had been anyway—so they’d resorted to hiring a chef to prepare meals. To see them setting the table themselves, however, was uncommon.

“I sent Ford out for the night,” Axel said before Theon could ask.