Assistant to the Villain, #3
Accomplice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 82
Overview
Gideon discovers Griffin has stolen a strange plant and drained Nura’s magic, leaving her barely alive. Reeling, Gideon nearly breaks, but Keeley steadies him and leads him to Marv. A tattoo test appears to prove Marv’s loyalty, yet Marv insists he was coerced and reveals a looming, larger threat.
Summary
Gideon lays Nura on a bed, horrified by her near-lifeless state after Griffin Sage steals a strange plant and drains her magic. Overwhelmed with guilt for failing his family and the guvres, Gideon lashes out, but Keeley stops him, grounding him with reassurance and urging him to keep fighting.
Regaining focus, Gideon demands to see Marv. Keeley leads him through a courtyard littered with bodies to where the Malevolent Guards hold Marv on his knees. Marv pleads he had no choice and that he would never harm the Villain, but the Malevolent and Valiant Guards doubt him.
Min notes their loyalty tattoos are lethal upon betrayal; Keeley tests Marv’s wrist tattoo, even scrubbing it in water, and the ink holds firm. The intact mark implies Marv has not technically betrayed his leader, complicating the accusations.
As the rain finally stops, Marv, panicked, insists he acted under coercion and that everyone is in danger. Pressed by Keeley, Marv hurriedly divulges a larger plan, shocking even some Malevolent Guards, and warns that the true threat has yet to arrive.
Who Appears
- GideonFinds his mother drained of magic by Griffin; spirals into guilt before refocusing to confront Marv.
- KeeleySteadies Gideon, leads him to Marv, and verifies Marv’s tattoo, challenging the accusation of betrayal.
- MarvDetained and pleading; loyalty tattoo remains intact; claims coercion and warns of a larger impending threat.
- Griffin SageFlees after stealing a strange plant and draining Nura’s magic, triggering the crisis.
- NuraGideon’s mother; left barely alive, her magic drained by Griffin.
- MinA guard who notes the lethal loyalty tattoo rule, prompting Keeley’s test on Marv.