Chapter Twenty-Six

Poppy stares at the Duke’s corpse, staked to the wall with his Blood Forest cane, realizing only an Atlantian could have done it. As Tawny and Vikter reach her, windows shatter and arrows cut down nobles and Ascended, plunging the Rite into chaos. A panicked crowd surges, trampling people; Dafina is killed by glass, and Loren is later felled by an arrow as Poppy tries to save her.

Masked attackers in wolven-styled silver masks—Descenters, possibly Atlantians—reveal they had mingled among the celebrants. The Duchess orders a retreat while Ascended move toward the Great Hall with an eerie fire in their eyes. Poppy, Tawny, Vikter, the Duchess, Lord Mazeen, and guards fall back to a greeting room as the screams in the Hall abruptly cease.

The attackers batter down the door. Vikter tells Poppy to defend herself regardless of discovery. She reveals a hidden dagger and, when the Descenters flood in, kills multiple assailants with ruthless efficiency. Tawny aides by throwing glass; Vikter and one remaining guard hold the line. The Duchess betrays Poppy by shouting she is the Maiden, briefly distracting an attacker.

After the initial wave is repelled, the Duchess and Lord Mazeen react with shock and disdain to Poppy’s skill. A wounded Descenter suddenly strikes, driving a sword through Vikter’s chest. As Poppy cradles him, Hawke and reinforcements arrive, decapitating the attacker. Vikter apologizes and dies despite Poppy’s pleas and failed attempt to ease his pain.

Lord Mazeen taunts Poppy over Vikter’s death and her improprieties. Consumed by grief and fury, Poppy severs Mazeen’s arm, then his hand, and finally beheads him, hacking his corpse until Hawke restrains her. Overwhelmed by rage and loss, Poppy screams and collapses into unconsciousness.