Chapter Ninety-Two

Summary

• Bryce experiences intense emotions as she reacts to a command from her deceased friend, Danika, to "light it up."
• She touches the bronze disk of the Gate and uses her magical powers, with her soul connected to that of Danika's.
• In the conference room, Bryce's unimaginable solo Drop into her powers draws attention; this act is likened to leaping off a cliff hoping to land safely.
• Declan, observing her powers, notes that she's gaining speed instead of slowing down, despite her low-level power status.
• Queen Hypaxia suggests that the power comes from the Gate, not Bryce herself. This Gate may be fueled by the energy 'dropped' by every soul who's ever touched it.
• The Gates across the city begin to glow as Bryce continues to drop into power. The lines of light spread across the city, forming a barrier against demons and causing them to flee.
• As Bryce drops further into the power, the city starts to heal itself, and the portals to the other world close, leaving Bryce with a power level just above the Autumn King.
• Autumn King warns Declan that while Bryce was able to gain power through the Gate, she might not be able to make the Ascent back due to the absence of a true Anchor.
• Bryce's body succumbs to death. A countdown starts indicating the time Bryce has to make her Ascent and become immortal.
• The Autumn King confirms that Bryce has performed the Drop alone and suggests there is no way back to life for her without a true Anchor.