The Drowned Gods, #2
Stranger Skies
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 4: Emory
Overview
Emory and Romie connect the witches’ Sacred Spiral and Bryony’s ascension to their own marks and the sleepscape’s growing darkness. Romie claims destiny is pulling them toward the sea of ash, while Emory’s attempt at memory magic fails against the Amberyls’ wards. Hostility spikes with a “hellwraith” slur, and the Amberyls dismiss them.
Summary
Emory and Romie reel from discovering the witches’ Sacred Spiral mirrors their own mark and from witnessing Bryony’s burial-ascension and apparent possession. Romie confides she has heard the same otherworldly voice stalking the sleepscape and believes forces there are trying to stop them from reaching the sea of ash.
They promise “no secrets,” though Emory withholds truths about her magic and past. Romie argues Aspen and Bryony are the missing pieces to their quest. Determined to investigate, they join the Amberyls’ ascension festivities, where the eerie music, bone charms, and hostile stares heighten Emory’s fear as the black moon nears.
At the dais, Romie distracts Mrs. Amberyl with questions while Emory covertly uses Memorist magic. She cannot breach Mrs. Amberyl’s heavily warded mind, senses Aspen’s fierce love for Bryony, and is abruptly noticed when probing Bryony. Emory’s ghosts—Keiran and others—press in as her magic surges.
When Hyacinth pointedly warns the Amberyls and her son mutters “hellwraith,” Emory instinctively tries to read him but is choked off by Keiran’s specter and stumbles. Mrs. Amberyl curtly ends the encounter and sends Emory and Romie inside.
Back in their parlor, Emory admits she learned nothing useful and downplays the toll of her magic, preserving the fragile no-secrets pact as guilt and feelings of inadequacy gnaw at her.
Who Appears
- EmoryProtagonist POV; questions Bryony’s possession, attempts forbidden Memorist probes, is thwarted by wards and ghosts, hides the toll from Romie.
- RomieBelieves destiny drives them to the sea of ash; hears the dark voice in the sleepscape; engineers a distraction; vows no secrets.
- Mrs. AmberylHigh Matriarch; protective, hostile yet polite; mind heavily warded; ends the encounter and sends them inside.
- BryonyNewly ascended witch; earlier possessed; keeps composure under scrutiny; seemingly senses Emory’s mental intrusion.
- AspenBryony’s sister; openly protective and rebellious; hand-in-hand support; her mind reveals fierce love.
- HyacinthCoven witch opposing Amberyls; issues warnings and departs, escalating suspicion before the black moon.
- Hyacinth’s sonUnnamed youth who mutters “hellwraith,” triggering Emory’s failed probe and heightening tensions.
- Keiran (ghost)Emory’s haunting specter; chokes her during a probe, embodying the dangerous pull of her magic.