Chapter Ninety-Five

Summary

• Bryce and Hunt return to her apartment, after surviving the recent chaos and destruction, to find her chimera pet, Syrinx, anxiously waiting for them.
• They reflect on the extent of the death and destruction they’ve witnessed—it is implied that they have just been involved in a conflict where many people have perished.
• Hunt nurtures Bryce, who is overcome with emotion and trauma from recent events. The two have both killed important enemies, Sandriel and Micah, respectively—and exchange innuendos and teasing flirtations about it.
• A new scar in the shape of an eight-pointed star is revealed on Bryce’s chest which she explains as a symbol of the 'Starborn light', a significant source of spiritual power she now carries. Hunt warns her she'll have to learn to control this newfound power.
• Although still grieving and traumatized, romantic tension escalates between Bryce and Hunt—and they are on the verge of consummating their relationship when Bryce receives a call from her mother, which she decides to answer.
• Bryce’s mother is worried about her safety and wants to discuss her new power, however Bryce deflects, cuts the conversation short and takes a cold shower to steady her nerves.
• Meanwhile, Hunt receives a call from Isaiah about problems at the Comitium—a governing body locale. The Comitium is chaotic with the fall of Micah and Sandriel, and now Isaiah, as the next in command, is trying to manage a power vacuum.
• Hunt checks his wrist and sees the slave tattoo gone, suggesting he is now free. Bryce receives a call from a youthful version of Asteri—introducing another layer of political complexity to their situation.