Chapter 31

Briony finds Larissa Gains in Toven Hearst’s bedroom at two a.m. Reading the situation, Briony inspects for signs of intimacy and finds none. Toven invites Briony in and reveals that Larissa has a proposal. Larissa mocks Briony’s failed Biltmore performance and offers help with the ruse.

In return, Larissa wants lessons in advanced mind magic: cloaking, transparency, invisibility, and especially transmogrification. She plans to be “hiding in plain sight” at Biltmore and needs to start within a week. Toven backs the plan and offers space to practice the next morning.

Pressed on identities, Toven suggests Larissa could relieve people who should not be at Biltmore, including impersonating Briony as the “easiest” option. He cites an eighteen-year-old captive given to Finn as another target. Briony is horrified that Toven would prefer Larissa to take her place in Briony’s body.

Tension explodes as Briony argues she wants to return to Biltmore to monitor friends, while Toven insists impersonation protects her, noting Larissa can mimic elixir effects. Enraged at the violation implied, Briony slaps Toven.

Briony then sets terms: she will teach Larissa to cloak, Larissa will teach Briony to play the part, and Toven must never exclude her from decisions about her body again. Toven silently accepts the boundary. Larissa departs, agreeing to begin training at nine in the morning, leaving Briony and Toven alone.