Contents
Chapter 24
Overview
Reeling after Aleysia’s seizure, Maevyth spirals into dread on the eve of the Banishing. She dreams of Danyra’s mutilated ghost, who brands a glowing sigil and urges escape, calling Maevyth a witch. Jolted awake, Maevyth is summoned by Shireen: the Banishing is beginning, forcing Maevyth toward a confrontation she fears.
Summary
Maevyth lies shaking in a room assigned by Moros, overwhelmed by helplessness after witnessing Aleysia dragged away for Banishing. As dusk falls—when most Banishing rituals occur—she fixates on Aleysia’s terror of the dark and imagines the judgment she’ll face alone. Moros’s cruelty and the memory of his victims deepen Maevyth’s fear.
Exhaustion pulls Maevyth into a vivid nightmare. Danyra, the murdered Lyverian girl, appears embalmed and sightless, repeating “Witch” and urging Maevyth to escape with Aleysia. Danyra shows a palm marked by a carved-like symbol— a vertical line crossed by multiple short lines, glowing silver—before lunging.
Maevyth jolts awake in the dark room, the rocking chair empty and the vision gone, but the sigil seared into her memory. As she struggles to interpret the warning, reality intrudes: a knock at the door, and Shireen announces it is time. The Banishing is beginning, compelling Maevyth to face the night and Aleysia’s peril.
Who Appears
- MaevythProtagonist, paralyzed by grief and fear; dreams a ghostly warning and recalls a glowing sigil before being summoned to the Banishing.
- DanyraMurdered Lyverian girl; appears as a stitched, sightless apparition, calls Maevyth a witch, shows a glowing sigil, urges escape.
- ShireenMoros’s servant; arrives to summon Maevyth, signaling the start of Aleysia’s Banishing.
- AleysiaMaevyth’s sister; offstage but central stake, recently seized for night Banishing, terrified of the dark.
- Mr. MorosAntagonist presence; his cruelty haunts Maevyth, and his schedule sets the impending Banishing.