Chapter Twenty

After Lore admits she was born in the catacombs to a Night Sister, Bastian challenges the truth of the Buried Watch’s continued existence. Lore explains that although the Church supposedly destroyed the order after the Night Witch went mad, a small hidden remnant still guards Nyxara’s tomb and sends members into the obsidian tomb during eclipses to ensure the goddess has not stirred.

Lore describes how desperate people still find their way into the catacombs, including Lore’s mother, who fled there while pregnant. Lore explains that the true Night Sisters rarely leave the tomb, while younger members barter or steal supplies from the tunnels. As Lore defends the Buried Watch, Bastian notices Lore’s moon-shaped palm scar and reveals his own fresh half-sun Consecration scar; together, the marks seem to complete one another.

Bastian asks whether the scar gave Lore the ability to channel Mortem, but Lore says she was born with that power and does not know why. Realizing how much she has revealed, Lore feels unsettled that Bastian now knows more about her origins and abilities than anyone except Val and Mari. Bastian then ends the discussion and urges Lore to return to the Citadel so they can reach the vaults before sunrise, dismissing Lore’s concern about finding Gabriel.

As Bastian and Lore walk back, Bastian reveals that Michal knew Lore had been spying on him and told Bastian after the masquerade. The conversation turns to August: Bastian says he believes August may be trying to kill him, not because August truly believes the Kirythean accusations, but because the accusations provide a politically acceptable reason to execute the Sun Prince.

Bastian explains that August cannot simply arrange an obvious murder because the Arceneaux line is considered divinely blessed, so framing Bastian as a traitor would protect August’s reputation. Bastian admits he does not want the crown and disagrees with rule determined by Apollius’s blessing, but he stays because abandoning the Citadel would let August choose a worse heir and because Bastian still feels responsible for Auverraine.

When Lore mentions August’s controlled poison dosing and suggests he may be trying to avoid succession altogether, Bastian grows thoughtful but changes the subject. In the tunnel back to the Citadel, Bastian warns Lore that Gabriel’s devotion to Apollius may make him willing to use Lore if faith demands it. Lore insists Gabriel is trying to protect her, but Bastian questions whether Lore can recognize being used when it is done gently.