Contents
Chapter Twenty
Overview
Holland informs Gabe about a Bank appointment for a 15-year-old safety deposit box, likely linked to her father. Gabe reveals the Bank’s ruthless history and rules, yet admits appointments grant protection. They plan for entry and a risky exit, while Holland suffers a frightening Adam hallucination and nosebleed, raising new dangers.
Summary
Holland tells Gabe a banker from the First Bank of Centennial City contacted her about a 15-year-old safety deposit box that must be opened tomorrow. Gabe reacts with alarm and explains the Bank is a breakaway faction from the Sacred Order that erases memories, hoards power, and conscripts magical objects and abilities.
Holland challenges his blanket mistrust, teasing him over his aversion to the word “magic.” Gabe outlines the three factions’ stances on the Alchemical Heart and warns the Bank will seize whatever is in the box and likely erase Holland’s memories, citing their ruthless history and amnesia cases.
Pressed for a reason to proceed, Holland reveals her father is Benjamin Tierney and that the Professor’s journal lists a critical date fifteen years ago, matching when Ben opened the box. Gabe admits rumors tied Ben to the Alchemical Heart but remains cautious, calling recent tales mere gossip.
Holland consults the Professor’s journal, which portrays the Bank as rule-bound: its vaults are inviolate and appointments confer temporary protection. Gabe reluctantly concedes the entry window is safe but warns extraction will be dangerous; he agrees to help her get out once she goes in.
As anxiety hits Holland, she voices fear that the box might not contain the Heart and she’ll be detained. Gabe reassures her, but Holland suddenly perceives him as Adam Bishop, complete with bandaged shoulder, who calls her “Bright Eyes” and pulls her close. Disoriented, she squeezes her eyes shut; Gabe’s voice breaks through as a nosebleed starts, signaling a disturbing hallucination or manipulation.
Who Appears
- Holland TierneyProtagonist; reveals Bank appointment and father’s identity; argues to open the box; cites Professor’s notes; suffers Adam hallucination and a nosebleed.
- GabeReluctant protector; explains the Bank’s origins, ruthlessness, and rules; concedes appointment protection; agrees to help extract Holland after the visit.
- Adam BishopAppears as a sudden hallucination; taunts and embraces Holland, intensifying her fear and signaling possible manipulation or instability.