Chapter 32

As night falls, Maevyth wrestles with hunger and guilt over her missing sister. Heavy steps announce Zevander, who enters her cell with chicken pottage and silently watches as Maevyth eats, her fear and resentment simmering beneath questions about why she is imprisoned.

Prompted by Maevyth’s demands for answers, Zevander reveals he killed the men who tried to assault her by manifesting a shadow-scorpion, demonstrating his cursed magic as it burrows beneath his skin. He dismisses mortal lives as vermin yet states Maevyth survives because she serves a purpose.

Zevander declares training will begin at dawn—focus and simple glyphs—leaving the explanations to Dolion and clothing to Rykaia. Maevyth argues for freedom to find her sister, but Zevander refuses, insisting on efficiency and her weakness as reasons for control.

The exchange turns volatile when Zevander taunts her to beg; Maevyth hurls the pottage at him and bolts for the door. Zevander lifts and pins her with effortless strength, threatening the dangers outside if she were released. Maevyth strikes him, he briefly grips her throat, then withdraws.

He locks the cell and reiterates training at dawn, leaving Maevyth captive, furious, and forced toward magic she neither understands nor wants—yet now certain of the lethal power and volatility of her keeper.