Contents
Chapter 21
Overview
Jasper Reed arrives at the Dagger to revisit his deal, stirring a hedonistic cave party and exposing his easy rapport with Adrienne. Wren and Xavier meet Jasper, who later shares a tense, playful moment with Xavier on the Ledge. The night ends with Gray drunkenly confessing feelings to Wren, which she rejects due to his relationship with Karra.
Summary
En route back to base, Gray reveals the visitor is Jasper Reed, the Continent’s elusive smuggler. Wren is shocked the Dagger entertains him given his mercenary loyalties and ties to the Faithful. Back at the Dagger, Gray departs on business, and Wren distracts a restless Xavier with cards after Evlynne rebuffs Wren’s attempt at civility.
At dinner, Adrienne arrives with Jasper, who is immediately comfortable among the Uprising. Later, Gray invites Wren and Xavier to a subterranean “cave” party fueled by glenshade. The crowd drinks and dances; Adrienne and Jasper grow intimate in a shadowed corner. Wren briefly mind-links Cross, who’s busy arguing with his brother about an alliance with capitalists.
Adrienne introduces Wren and Xavier to Jasper. He needles Xavier about Silver Elite interference but leaves before any conflict. The party escalates until Wren and Xavier, buzzed, head to the Ledge, where a shirtless Jasper joins them smoking potent euca. Jasper taunts Xavier about his past, hints the Tribunal sees potential value in him, and probes Wren’s story; Wren stays guarded and asks Jasper not to harm Xavier.
Returning inside, Wren finds Karra trying to pull an intoxicated Gray into bed. Gray declines, too drunk. Wren helps him to his room, gets him settled, and he drunkenly admits he wants her “because you’re you.” Wren shuts it down, reminding Gray he has a girlfriend, and leaves him to sleep.
Who Appears
- Wren DarlingtonPOV; meets Jasper, attends the cave party, safeguards Xavier, and rebuffs Gray’s drunken confession because he’s with Karra.
- Jasper ReedNotorious smuggler; visits to renegotiate, flirts with Adrienne, spars verbally with Xavier, and smokes euca on the Ledge.
- Xavier FordWren’s charge; bored and crass, drinks glenshade, meets Jasper, then shares a tense, joking smoke with him outside.
- Gray (Grayson)Pilot; hosts Wren and Xavier at the party, gets very drunk, then confesses wanting Wren before she shuts it down.
- AdrienneUprising leader figure; brings Jasper in, introduces him to Wren and Xavier, and engages in an intimate encounter with him.
- KarraGray’s girlfriend; parties, tries to initiate sex with drunk Gray, is rebuffed, and leaves; earlier snipes at Xavier.
- EvlynnePilot who fetched Jasper; curtly warns Wren to avoid her son and exits, reinforcing tension with Wren.
- CrossWren’s lover; brief mind link while he argues with his brother about capitalists, too busy to talk.