Contents
Chapter 20
Overview
Gray takes Wren flying and down into the valley, revealing a self-sustaining community and his complicated family tie with Aunt Jenni. Wren meets Beatriz and Seth, a Valterra Ridge survivor whose burns and bitterness highlight the Uprising’s cost. Confronted with her parents’ legacy, Wren feels renewed guilt. Gray abruptly ends the visit due to an unexpected visitor.
Summary
Gray invites Wren to take his helicopter up, trading her planned range trip with Xavier for time in the air. As they fly, Wren notes Gray’s comfort in the cockpit and his lack of telepathy. He decides to land in the valley and show her the settlement, pointing out fields, livestock, and the solar array that powers the community.
Walking in, Wren observes the quiet, self-sufficient life. An encounter with Gray’s aunt, Jenni, abruptly shifts his mood; he stays curt and quickly departs, hinting at unresolved family history. On a sports field, Gray warmly greets Fisher, Evlynne’s young son, displaying an ease with children that contrasts his tension with Jenni.
In the central “square,” wary residents eye Wren, and Gray reassures her about outsider suspicion. Beatriz welcomes them to lunch at her cottage, where Wren meets Seth, Luisa’s father, who bears severe burn scars. Over rabbit stew, Gray shares a Program story about Wren’s attempted wrist-breaking escape, lightening the mood.
Afterward, Seth candidly reveals his burns come from the Valterra Ridge bombing; he shielded his daughter as bombs fell. He condemns the Company narrative and the Tin Block Traitors. Wren, secretly the traitors’ daughter, is shaken by guilt and the need for secrecy, realizing many valley residents may be survivors.
Sensing the emotional weight and receiving a message, Gray ends the visit, telling Wren they must return to the Dagger because a visitor has arrived, setting up imminent developments.
Who Appears
- Wren DarlingtonProtagonist; tours the valley with Gray, meets residents, learns of Valterra Ridge’s scars, and struggles with guilt over her parents’ betrayal.
- Gray (Grayson)Pilot and Dagger member; flies Wren to the valley, shows her the settlement, bristles at his aunt, and ends the visit for an urgent visitor.
- SethLuisa’s father; burned survivor of Valterra Ridge who denounces Company propaganda and the Tin Block Traitors.
- BeatrizLuisa’s mother; warmly hosts Wren and Gray for lunch and talks about life in the valley.
- FisherEvlynne’s young son; greets Gray enthusiastically and boasts about pilots, briefly brightening the visit.
- JenniGray’s aunt; her appearance triggers Gray’s sudden tension, hinting at strained family history.