Contents
Chapter 40
Overview
Wren’s secret review of her mother’s interrogation is interrupted, pushing her toward distraction at a Dagger party. After a charged dance with Saint, Wren confronts her feelings for Gray and confesses. Gray reveals he has just broken up with Karra, clearing the way for their relationship to change.
Summary
Kallister interrupts a private meeting with Wren to answer a war room summons, cutting short her engrossing read of her mother’s interrogation. Their covert weekly sessions—framed to others as talks about Uncle Jim—have stayed unnoticed, deepening Wren’s curiosity about her past.
Seeking an outlet, Wren joins Mako in the gym and watches Gray and Saint spar, the lighthearted competitiveness sharpening her awareness of Gray. Later, at a raucous cave party, Mako chatters while Wren observes Tana and Luisa dancing intimately, pleased to see Tana happy. Adrienne checks in telepathically but pointedly avoids discussing business.
Saint approaches, and Wren invites a silent, heated dance that turns into near-clinching against the wall. As the moment intensifies, Wren recognizes the truth: she wants Gray, not Saint. She breaks away and goes to Gray’s quarters, torn between desire and respecting his relationship with Karra.
Inside, Wren apologizes for snapping at Karra and admits she was jealous and has feelings for Gray, promising not to interfere. Gray stops her and reveals he ended things with Karra that night. The confession and breakup shift their dynamic, opening the possibility of a relationship.
Who Appears
- WrenNarrator; secretly studies her mother’s interrogation, then admits romantic feelings to Gray after a party.
- GraySpars with Saint; confronts Wren’s jealousy; reveals he broke up with Karra when Wren confesses.
- SaintSpars with Gray; shares a charged, wordless dance with Wren before she leaves to find Gray.
- MakoInvites Wren to the gym and party; talkative companion largely ignored during telepathic chats.
- KallisterHosts secret meetings where Wren reads her mother’s file; leaves for the war room.
- TanaDances and kisses Luisa at the party, signaling new happiness after recent trauma.
- LuisaConnects with Tana on the dance floor; they kiss and retreat into the shadows together.
- AdrienneTelepathically checks on Wren at the party, then refuses to discuss alliance business.
- KarraOff-page presence; received Wren’s apology earlier. Gray says he ended their relationship tonight.