Contents
CHAPTER 79: ROHAN
Overview
Rohan leads a stealth sea infiltration of Vantage’s cliff caves to reach the undercroft and rescue Savannah. In the darkness, Zella intercepts them, warns the Ascendants are alerted, and honors a favor by extracting Grayson and Xander while opening a hidden waterfall passage. Rohan, Jameson, and Toby push into a torchlit maze as reinforcements close in.
Summary
Under cover of night, Rohan brings the Hawthorne brothers to Vantage by sea, landing in a blind spot beneath the cliff. Avoiding firearms due to the explosive material in their vests, they move through seaside caves with minimal light, intent on reaching the undercroft to rescue Savannah before outside reinforcements arrive.
As they navigate, Rohan notes a change in echoes near an underground waterfall. Zella, the duchess, reveals herself in the dark, quoting the beach statue’s inscription and warning that the Ascendants are alerted and closing in. She offers to fulfill a favor owed to Jameson: she can extract two of the group and give the rest a brief head start.
Jameson accepts the favor. Despite protests, Zella removes Grayson and Xander from danger and simultaneously parts a hidden stone wall behind the waterfall, revealing a torchlit passage. Rohan frames the choice as containment to minimize exposure while keeping focus on finding Savannah.
Rohan, Jameson, and Toby enter the newly revealed corridor, knives ready and plans in mind. The tunnel quickly branches into a maze; after several dead ends, Rohan hears light footsteps and smells smoke ahead, signaling imminent contact as they press deeper toward Savannah with enemies likely close behind.
Who Appears
- RohanProprietor leading a covert sea infiltration of Vantage to rescue Savannah; chooses knives over guns and drives the push into the maze.
- Jameson HawthorneClaims Zella’s owed favor, sending his brothers to safety; continues with Rohan and Toby into the hidden passage.
- Zella (the duchess)Intercepts the team in the caves; warns of incoming Ascendants; extracts two Hawthornes and opens a waterfall passage.
- Toby HawthorneInsists the Watcher be left to him; continues with Rohan and Jameson into the torchlit maze.
- Grayson HawthorneObjects to leaving but is extracted by Zella as part of Jameson’s favor.
- Xander HawthorneProtests separation yet departs with Grayson when Zella honors Jameson’s favor.