Contents
After Chapter Eleven — Arin
Overview
Arin survives the fall with the Jasadi Heir and forcibly triggers her healing by touching her magic, which floods him with violent hunger. Realizing her power is both immense and suppressed, he has his guards retrieve her. He resolves to use her to draw rival Jasadi factions to the Alcalah.
Summary
Arin and the Jasadi Heir survive the plunge to the riverbank. Assessing her pallor and unhealed wounds, Arin risks touching her to trigger her magic despite remembering how it had overwhelmed him before. Her power surges through him, knitting her injuries while flooding him with an alien, violent hunger.
As the healing completes, Arin confirms her magic is unusually strong and likely suppressed by some separate force. He loathes the loss of control it provokes but notes the strategic value: keeping her alive preserves his plan to lure the Mufsids and the Urabi to the Alcalah.
Guards Jeru, Vaun, and Ren arrive; Arin orders the Jasadi Heir taken back to the tunnels immediately. When Jeru lifts her, she thrashes in a nightmare, pleading not to be touched, forcing Arin to direct them to prop her and prepare a cold cloth from Wes.
Frustrated by her continued struggling and his own mounting injuries, Arin strikes her to still her, prioritizing extraction and secrecy. He remains determined to exploit her presence and power to bait the rival Jasadi groups into his chosen ground.
Who Appears
- ArinNizahl Heir; survives the fall, triggers the Jasadi Heir’s healing by touch, feels her magic’s bloodlust, and advances his trap.
- Sylvia (Essiya), the Jasadi HeirUnconscious and bleeding until Arin triggers her healing; her suppressed, overwhelming magic incites violent hunger; thrashes in nightmares.
- JeruGuard who descends to retrieve the Jasadi Heir; struggles to hold her as she thrashes; follows Arin’s orders.
- RenGuard who spots blood sign; tasked to send the Jasadi Heir back through the tunnels.
- VaunGuard who scolds Jeru for calling out; focused on avoiding detection by nearby Jasadis.
- WesAssociate mentioned in Arin’s order to apply a cold cloth to the Jasadi Heir’s head.