Chapter 46

Wren recalls her own bloodmark and the brutal lengths Uncle Jim took to hide it, recognizing the danger it signaled. Evlynne, distraught over Fisher’s bloodmark and his telepathy and projection, fears Authority disclosure will conscript or weaponize her child. Wren suggests secrecy or hiding him; Evlynne rejects disclosure, admits Fisher’s father is a Prime who never knew, and secures Wren’s promise to tell no one, not even Gray. Their uneasy rapport softens as Evlynne thanks Wren and Wren admits her own recent restraint.

Nearly a week later, the base gathers under a red moon for Mako’s birthday bonfire. Wren and Gray arrive together, playful and affectionate. Wren navigates the crowd—Evlynne, Karra, Tana, Luisa, Teriq, Fiona, and Poppy are present—and privately gives Mako a foil-wrapped treasure: a gold chocolate bar she procured in Tierra Fe. Mako overjoyedly declares mock love and vows Raven Persimmons will still answer for last year’s deprivation.

Wren spends the evening dancing and flirting with Gray, enjoying rare ease. She finishes a too-sweet bottle of grange and tosses it into the fire, then agrees to leave with Gray. Moments later she grows breathless, her chest tight and pulse racing, the sugary aftertaste triggering a memory of a lethal scent from childhood.

Realizing the grange was tainted with heartroot, Wren gasps the word to Gray before losing consciousness. The celebration turns ominous as the poison stops Wren’s heart, leaving her fate unknown and implying a deliberate attempt on her life.