Chapter Eighty-Three
Summary
- Bryce witnesses Micah successfully wield the Horn, opening a portal through the Heart Gate that releases winged, scaled demons into the city. This is not a portal to unknown worlds as Micah had intended, but a portal to Hel.
- Bryce rushes home, orders Marrin to get to the basement with as many tenants as possible and warn everyone to take shelter. She leaves Syrinx, her pet, in her apartment before grabbing weapons and heading to the roof.
- From the roof, Bryce sees that Micah has opened portals to Hel in every Gate across the city. The city descends into chaos as demons flood out from the Gates, and bomb shelters begin to fill with terrified citizens.
- Bryce calls her friend Juniper, who is inside a shelter with donors from a dress rehearsal. Juniper is distraught, revealing that they are planning to shut the door early and won't let humans in.
- Leaving Juniper with a promise to help, Bryce messages another friend, Jesiba, about the demonic invasion. She decides to take action herself, arming herself and heading into the city to try to protect the vulnerable citizens.
- Meanwhile, a crisis meeting is taking place, with Declan reporting on the situation and various leaders trying to mobilize their forces. The group argues about where their resources should be concentrated, with Bryce's friend Hunt advocating for the defenseless homes to be protected over the city's affluent district.
- Hunt, among others, is shocked to see Bryce running through chaotic, demon-filled streets on one of the many screens showing live footage of the city. Declan manages to isolate her screaming at people to get into the shelters as she fights off winged demons.
- Bryce continues to fight her way through the demons, heading towards a particularly vulnerable area of the city known as the Meadows. Her actions and dedication inspire others to take action as well, despite the gruesome scenes unfolding around them.