Chapter Fifty

Harry confronts Mab and Mother Winter before the true-ice pillar imprisoning Justine. Mother Winter judges Harry “too mortal,” strikes his mind to test him, and threatens intervention. Mab claims authority over the mortal world’s defense here, and when Harry rises at her call, brandishing Soulfire, the standoff forces Mother Winter to withdraw, satisfied he may suffice.

Lara asserts her claims over Thomas, Justine, and the child, pressing Mab to honor their alliance. Thomas senses that Justine’s true self is suppressed; Nemesis still possesses her. Mab intends to force the entity out through controlled agony and to seal away Justine’s memories afterward to preserve her sanity.

As Justine goes into labor, Harry hesitates, fearing Nemesis may have compromised Mab. Choosing trust and the innocent’s safety, Harry grants permission to summon aid. Mother Summer arrives in a shaft of spring light and, with Mab’s assistance, delivers Thomas and Justine’s son.

With the infant born, Nemesis reasserts control of Justine. Balance is due for Thomas’s killing in the feud with the svartalves, and Mab enforces the old way: the child must be given as weregild. Mother Summer allows Thomas a brief blessing; he vows to be there when his son needs him. Mab promises the boy will be raised as Etri’s family, protected and taught, with future contact to manage his Hunger.

Accepting the cost, Thomas relinquishes his son. Mab takes the child to restore balance and turns to the grim work of saving Justine by purging the possessing spirit, while sealing the memories that would destroy her.