Chapter 41. Now: Maris

Maris emerges in Villa Matius, soaked from the river, staring at a golden winged cuff now fused to her arm. She cannot remove it and interprets it as a sign of the gods’ will, recalling past divine tokens linked to Nej and Luca. Outside, New Legion soldiers ransack homes as the district falls.

Hiding in the servants’ quarters, Maris is discovered and dragged by a New Legion legionnaire. Luca and Théo enter the villa amid the search; Luca recognizes Maris and, without hesitation, drives his short sword into the attacker’s ribs, killing him. Luca kneels and embraces Maris as she shakes and cries, trying to calm her.

When Maris asks about the hanged magistrates, Luca says they are dead. She accuses Luca of causing the massacre; he insists he did not commit the killings but admits responsibility for bringing events to this point. He breaks, confessing, “I know what I am,” consumed by self-hatred, while Maris cannot bring herself to leave him despite believing they are both irreparably broken.

Théo reports that the Commander has crossed into the district, forcing Luca to reassert his command. Luca instructs Théo not to let Maris out of his sight, then leaves without looking back. Maris is left with the weight of the divine cuff, Luca’s confession, and the tightening grip of the New Legion on the city.