Chapter 35

In her cell, Maevyth sings Aleysia’s lullaby to soothe herself over Dolion’s snores. Movement at the bars reveals a large black spider. Twice it withdraws, twice it returns, seeming lulled by Maevyth’s humming, which keeps her tense but curious.

Reaching for Dolion’s mechanical book, Maevyth pricks her finger on a hidden catch. A drop of blood races through a maze, triggers gears, and opens the cover. Inside, intricate illustrations shift under her touch, translating runes into words: Corvus Keep; the raven-painted warriors; their creed; and Morsana, silver-eyed goddess. She notes the corvugon bear the crescent mark matching Raivox’s and her own eye.

When Maevyth smooths both hands over the spread, the scene animates: armored, yellow-haired men attack at night, hunting “the vein.” The raven folk are outmatched until a violet cleft reveals black fire. A being named Deimos rises within the sable flame and turns invaders to ash. In the skies, corvugon tear through golden dragons and riders. The tableau resets, leaving Maevyth shaken and full of questions.

Exhausted, she turns a page to a new puzzle—a raised, symbol-ringed wooden circle like a multifaceted clock—then closes the ingenious book. Warily scanning for the spider, Maevyth lies back, her thoughts pulled to Zevander as sleep edges in.