Chapter 49

Summary

• The protagonist, Livira, is desperately fleeing from Evar and his sister, Clovis, who turn out to be dog-soldiers known as sabbers, despite initially appearing human. Livira manages to escape through a portal back to her own reality.
• Upon returning, Livira is met by Arpix, who is concerned for her bleeding leg. Despite her suspicions brought on by her recent encounter, she allows Arpix to help treat her wound.
• Livira struggles with her feelings of betrayal over Evar's true identity and begins to distance herself emotionally from him.
• Meanwhile, Arpix presents Livira with rare books from the Exchange, supporting the theory that assistants can leave requested books by the portals. However, due to Livira's injury and emotional distress, they decide to leave the books behind for now.
• Livira reveals to Arpix the shocking truth that Evar is in fact a sabber. She explains that the Exchange had tricked them both into seeing each other as their own kind, translating their experiences and interactions to fit their own perspectives.
• Overwhelmed by her emotions, Livira starts writing about her experiences with Evar in her sporadic ongoing work of fiction, which previously painted Evar in a much different light.
• Finally, after processing her trauma with Arpix and received healing from the 'centre circle', she decides to retreat to her own room to be alone, indicating a turning point in her journey.