Contents
Twenty-Five
Overview
King Sorrow negotiates terms: he will gain strength by Easter and destroy the enemies the group names, in exchange for a sacrifice and the group’s consent to his protection. He warns the mark’s use drains life. Arthur names Jayne Nighswander and Ronnie Volpe. After the serpent-tongued feast, time jumps and a full day is lost.
Summary
King Sorrow, speaking from beneath the dented helmet, mocks and tests the group, demanding honorifics and proposing riddles with lethal stakes. Colin rejects riddles and presses their petition for protection. King Sorrow outlines his terms: he requires time to cross from the Long Dark and will be fully ready by Easter to annihilate the enemies they name.
When Donna questions his usefulness before Easter, King Sorrow offers an invisible serpent mark that, when touched, summons him instantly, though doing so will drain the summoner’s life force. The group weighs the costs. Colin, Gwen, Donna, Van, and Allie agree. King Sorrow presses Arthur for consent.
Arthur accepts with gratitude and presents the heart as sacrifice, declaring Jayne Nighswander and Ronnie Volpe as their targets. King Sorrow warns that if they lose nerve, one of their own lives must replace the offer. Arthur stands firm, choosing their enemies over himself.
A forked, serpentine tongue emerges, tastes, and coils the heart, dragging it beneath the helmet. Arthur glimpses a golden, slit-pupiled eye watching him. He flips the helmet, and with the motion reality lurches: night becomes morning. The helmet appears as a simple ashtray.
In the aftermath, Van reels with nausea as Allie soothes him; Gwen offers water and pills. Colin and Donna emerge from the spare room. They trade dazed remarks before realizing a full day has vanished: it is already Sunday, as if King Sorrow consumed not only the heart but also their Saturday.
Who Appears
- King SorrowOtherworldly sovereign negotiating a pact; offers a protective serpent mark and promises to destroy named enemies by Easter.
- Arthur OakesPresents the heart, accepts the bargain, and names Jayne Nighswander and Ronnie Volpe as targets.
- ColinAdvocates for protection over riddles; endorses the pact to eliminate their foes.
- GwenEngages King Sorrow with pointed questions; agrees to the deal to keep Arthur safe.
- Donna McBrideChallenges the timing and costs; accepts the mark despite its draining price.
- Van (Donovan McBride)Jokes warily, consents to the pact, later reels from the disorienting time loss.
- AllieInitially declines riddles, agrees to the pact, comforts Van after the time jump.