CHAPTER 73: ROHAN

Alerted to four intruders, Rohan chooses to confront them personally, meeting Jameson, Grayson, Xander, and their uncle as they climb down the elevator shaft. He taunts them, ready for a fight, until Grayson announces that the Gilded Blade has taken Savannah. Jameson adds that Avery and Eve are also inside a lethal trial called the Crucible.

Rohan’s first instinct is certainty that Savannah will survive, but Jameson challenges his priorities as Proprietor and Savannah’s current mindset. Rattled, Rohan pivots from violence to revelation, telling a story of a bastard prince and a servant who “ascended,” outlining the Devil’s Mercy’s underground throne and the Gilded Blade—power that functions as a leash.

As tension spikes, Grayson closes the distance to force action. Rohan responds with two brutal punches, citing that Grayson hurt Savannah and maintaining the appearance of control. Grayson counters that he would die for his sister and demands whether Rohan would do the same.

Confronted with that challenge, Rohan admits the throne is not what he wants, even if it were what he thought. The uncle takes this as agreement to join their cause. Rohan deflects with quips but turns toward the Mercy’s inner path, and the Hawthornes follow.

Pressed by Grayson on whether he’s finished, Rohan signals a shift from posturing to action, declaring he’s just getting started as he leads them back into the Mercy to intervene in the Crucible.