The Legendborn Cycle, #1
Legendborn
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 6
Overview
Bree begins actively investigating the secret world she glimpsed at the quarry, learning from Charlotte that Tor is a powerful legacy student and Selwyn Kane does not normally move in Tor’s social circles. Nick Davis, Bree’s assigned peer mentor, unexpectedly becomes part of Bree’s life and reveals a hidden connection to the same supernatural conflict when he saves Bree from a monstrous green-lit creature.
The chapter shifts Bree from suspicion to direct danger: Bree chooses to run toward magic for answers about her mother, but that choice exposes Bree to a deadly attack and leaves Bree injured. Nick’s concealed weapon and combat skill confirm that Nick knows far more than an ordinary peer mentor should.
Summary
At dinner, Bree begins investigating by texting Charlotte, using Charlotte’s guilt about the quarry party to ask casual questions. Charlotte identifies the blond girl as Victoria “Tor” Morgan, a wealthy UNC legacy, and reacts with surprise that Selwyn Kane was there because Selwyn usually avoids parties and does not socialize with Tor. Bree infers that the Legendborn may avoid each other publicly while coordinating privately, and she notes that Selwyn is an eighteen-year-old Early College junior rather than ageless.
After dinner, Nick Davis intercepts Bree outside the dining hall. Nick introduces himself as Bree’s assigned peer mentor and explains that Dean McKinnon ordered him to make contact, so Nick used Bree’s schedule, photo, and timing to find her. Bree is annoyed by Nick’s cheerful cleverness, but Nick insists on walking Bree toward Old East.
During the walk, Nick asks about the quarry, Alice, and Bree’s reasons for attending Early College. Nick also reminds Bree that she must join a student activity, then mentions that he joined Cricket Club partly to anger his father, a UNC psychology professor. Bree’s grief sharpens into resentment when Nick dismisses his father’s desire for connection, because Bree sees Nick as wasting the chance to reconcile with a living parent.
Before Bree can confront Nick, Bree sees rotting green flames above the trees and runs toward them. Bree decides that, unlike the previous night, she must run toward magic because she needs answers about her mother’s death and the memory that was taken from Bree.
Between two science buildings, Bree finds a huge, flickering wolf-like creature outlined in green light, with blackened skin, red eyes, and corrosive saliva. The creature notices Bree and attacks, but Nick slams into it and orders Bree to run. Nick draws a hidden silver baton from his shin, transforms it into a sword, and fights the creature with practiced skill.
When Nick backs into a dead-end alley without realizing the danger, Bree distracts the creature by calling it toward Bree. Nick uses the opening to spear the creature through the spine, but the creature is not dead and lunges again. Bree is hit by burning black spittle, screams as her hands and arms feel like they are on fire, and blacks out after seeing Nick drive his sword into the creature’s skull.
Who Appears
- Bree MatthewsInvestigates Legendborn clues, meets Nick, runs toward magic, and is injured by a creature.
- Nick DavisBree’s assigned peer mentor; charming, observant, and secretly armed against supernatural threats.
- CharlotteTexts Bree information about Tor, Selwyn, campus status, and UNC social circles.
- Green-lit wolf creatureA monstrous attacker with corrosive saliva that ambushes Bree between campus buildings.
- Victoria “Tor” MorganDiscussed as a wealthy UNC legacy connected to the quarry confrontation.
- Selwyn KaneDiscussed as an Early College junior who normally avoids parties and Tor’s social circle.