Chapter Twenty-Nine

Lore and Bastian realize Bellegarde’s hidden note likely recorded the number of bodies from the latest Mortem-killed village. Because Lore overheard August and Bellegarde discussing groups being processed and bindings, Bastian concludes Bellegarde is involved with whatever August and Anton are hiding. Danielle, Brigitte, and Alie return, forcing Lore and Bastian to pretend nothing is wrong.

During the women’s casual conversation, Danielle mentions that Luc and other dockworkers are being paid well to move unknown cargo. Lore presses for details and learns the cargo is heavy, takes several men to push in carts, and is delivered to secret locations by workers too frightened to talk. Lore and Bastian silently understand that the cargo may be the missing bodies, and after the guests leave, Bastian decides they should investigate the docks that night.

Bastian escorts Lore to her rooms and tells her to meet him at midnight, then leaves her to explain the plan to Gabe. Before Lore can do so, Gabe accidentally refers to the night Lore slept beside him after the Mortem leak, exposing an intimacy they have both avoided discussing. Lore deflects by bringing up the dock investigation, and Gabe objects to Bastian’s involvement.

When Lore asks why Gabe hates Bastian, Gabe explains that his resentment comes from childhood. After a fight with Bastian, Gabe was sent back to Balgia, where his father surrendered to Jax and Gabe lost his eye. Gabe admits he does not truly blame Bastian, but he is jealous that Bastian seems untouched by consequences while Gabe carries the ruin of his family. Lore understands the unfairness and complexity of that resentment, and the two settle back into the investigation.

That night, Lore, Gabe, and Bastian sneak through the gardens and storm drain toward the docks. Bastian explains that they will watch for recruiters, but if necessary Lore should pose as a former poison runner looking for work because her underworld connections make that believable. At the crowded boxing ring, they discover it is Lightweight Night, and Bastian spots a shadowed conversation that looks like recruitment.

Gabe questions two young men after the recruiter disappears. The men reveal that job details are only offered to people who lose fights, likely because losers need money and ask fewer questions. Since Gabe cannot fight on Lightweight Night, everyone turns to Lore, making it clear that the only way forward may be for her to enter the ring and lose.