Chapter Eighty: Zélie

Overwhelmed by memory, Zélie recalls hiding during the Raid and watching her mother hang, vowing never to lose family again. In the present, she cradles Baba as his lifeless eyes confirm his death. Grief engulfs her as his blood touches her, flooding her with his life’s memories—from childhood joy to love for Mama and the unending heartbreak after the Raid.

Baba’s spirit fuses with Zélie, deeper than any magic she has known. As guards charge, shadowy tendrils tear from her, wielding death through blood. The shadows spear two soldiers through their armor; they collapse, choking and turning to ash.

Hungry for vengeance, Zélie feels the urge to slaughter all who wronged her family. Baba’s voice intervenes, insisting revenge is meaningless and urging her to make things right. Zélie fights to steady herself, repeating his words to quell the rage.

Amid the battle with Roën’s crew and Kenyon’s team, Zélie notices Inan darting away to retrieve the rolling sunstone. Guided by Baba’s counsel, she recognizes that regaining magic—and stopping Inan with the sunstone—is the only path to securing respect and survival for her people.