Chapter 42. Before: Luca

In the Citadel catacombs, Luca stands over a slain highborn legionnaire as Vale frees him and leads a group of devout soldiers in open defection. Asinia subdues another guard, signaling the seriousness of their turn against the Citadel.

Moving through the corridors, the group commits to their path. When Magistrate Ovidia recognizes them, Luca kills him without hesitation, driven by anger over judgments against Rhea and the Lower City. The defectors dispatch three more men and race to escape before alarm spreads.

Following the river to Villa Casperia, Luca climbs into Maris’s room. He urges Maris to leave Isara because the legionnaires will cross the Sophanes and not return—they intend to take the Citadel. He insists their course was set when Vitrasian died.

Maris pleads for Luca to stop and refuses to flee without him, insisting their fate is together. Luca, torn but resolute, asks her to promise to leave; she will not. A whistle from Vale outside and the distant swell of unrest confirm that the coup is underway.

Luca kisses Maris and breaks away, choosing the mission over their bond. He departs through the window as chaos rises in the city, believing that was the last moment he felt his heart beat.