Chapter Twenty-Six
Summary
- Chapter 26 begins with an unknown disaster occurring while Bryce Quinlan, Athalar, and Ruhn are in the same area. The event causes panic, confusion, and injury. Ruhn attempts to lead Bryce and her friend Juniper to safety, but Bryce struggles to understand what's happening due to the severity of the shock she's endured.
- Hunt helps Bryce avoid further harm from falling debris and guides her to a nearby safe place - a spacious house that Ruhn has access to. There, Hunt provides first aid to Bryce, helping clean her wounds and offering her water.
- Discussions of theories behind the attack follow: whether it was an act of rebellion, a message to warn them off searching for a symbol known as the Horn, or a tactic by a rebel group known as Keres. Even the possibility of imprisoned rebel leader Philip Briggs somehow directing his followers from his prison cell is discussed.
- Hunt contacts Isaiah and arranges for them to visit Briggs in Adrestia Prison, hoping for additional insights into the attack. Meanwhile, Ruhn reveals that Bryce’s father, the Autumn King, had ordered Ruhn to live with Bryce for her safety. Bryce, however, strongly refuses this and proposes that Hunt instead stays with her.
- Bryce agrees to let Ruhn search a book collection - located in her boss's library - for any additional information that may uncover the truth behind the Horn. In return, Ruhn would gain the assistance of someone named Declan for Bryce to explore more regarding the last movements of someone named Danika.
- It is also uncovered that Bryce is at risk of retribution not just from her father but from any potential resurfacing of the Keres rebel group. Eventually Hunt and Bryce determine to leave the safe house and head home together.