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“Assuming no replacements need to be made,” Dade replied.

“Anyway, we were just discussing whether or not the other Arius Heir knew of a hidden being he’s planning to Select,” Maxson went on. “Arius Kingdom is so…secretive. I guess now we know why.”

The pointed sweep of his eyes over her made Tessa’s skin crawl, but she sighed dramatically. “I’d be disappointed in my Mistress too.”

Maxson stilled. “What’s that supposed to mean?”

“Oh, I thought you were lamenting my Master being more clever than yours. My mistake.”

Maxson’s smirk grew. “How much longer will you be able to call him that? I suppose we can assume he’ll have a new Source by the next Selection as well, hmm?”

“How will that work?” Jasper mused, cutting into the conversation. “Will those Marks still work? Will you feel him…bondingwith another? Hear his thoughts when he’s with her?”

It was Tessa’s turn to still, something inside her balking at the mere idea of Theon with someone else. The bond. It had to be the bond.

But the flash of lightning outside the window, followed by the rumble of thunder, had more than their little group turning to the sudden change in weather. Jasper and Maxson slowly turned back, and when she met their gazes, she knew her smile was anything but sweet. She slowly lifted her hands, showing them her bands still in place as she said, “Interesting weather lately, wouldn’t you say?”

For once, neither of them had anything to say. Their group was still. Except for Gatlan. He was sipping at his fresh drink, one hand in his pocket as he hid his smile.

“Excuse me?”

Tessa turned at the voice to find a server standing there. He held a tray with a single shot glass on it.

“I was told to bring this to you, along with this.”

His hand trembled a little when he extended a note to her.

“To me?” she asked, taking the note from him. Unfolding the paper, she read the one line of simple, elegant handwriting:

Should you find it conducive to your agenda tonight, I have an entire bottle, fury.

She couldn’t help the smile as she swiped up the shot ofagaveheart,relishing the burn as it slid down her throat and warmth pooled in her belly.

“As fun as this has been, I have better company to keep,” Tessa said, dropping the glass back onto the tray with a nod to the server, who scurried away.

“We can’t go anywhere,” Maxson blurted.

She gathered her dress into her hand so she wouldn’t trip on it. “Apparently you’re free of your bands, but not your leash,” she said with a wink before she sauntered away.

She wasn’t entirely sure how she was going to find Tristyn Blackheart in the vast space of the grand hall. On top of that, everyone was wearing masks. Then again, he tended to find her. She’d just have to wait him out, but it didn’t keep her from scanning faces. Theon’s dismay trickled down the bond, and with a single thought, she blocked it. She hadn’t wanted him to know she’d figured out how to do that yet, but she’d already let it slip she could overcome the demands of the Source bond. She’d sacrifice this secret to keep others close.

Tessa was so busy scanning the room, she didn’t see the female until it was too late. With anoomphshe ran right into her, stumbling in her heels as she tried to catch her balance.

“I apolo—” Tessa started, but a shrill voice cut her off.

“Oh my gods! Tessa?”

Tessa looked up into dark eyes behind a black mask, her pale blonde hair loose around her shoulders. “Oralia?” she said in disbelief.

“Oh my gods!” she cried again. “I didn’t think we’d get to see you tonight. The others will be thrilled.”

“But I—” Tessa tried again as Oralia grabbed her wrist, making her wince as the band dug into her skin. Oralia started tugging her through the crowd of mingling Fae and Legacy. She was unsure when she’d crossed the invisible line that separated the commoners from the elite, but everything was more relaxed on this side of the room. The air wasn’t as stifling.

She couldbreathe.

But she also wanted to find Tristyn.

“Dex!” Oralia was calling to be heard over the crowd. “Dex, look!”