Contents
Chapter 19: Demons in the Dark
Overview
Alexis is cornered by Patro and Achilles outside Helen’s room. Old resentments flare as Achilles refuses to apologize, while Patro urges Alexis to use her power to sever her marriage bond by nearly killing her husbands.
Alexis refuses, but Patro forcibly takes her blood, claiming it will protect her and warning that Ceres is deceiving her, deepening mistrust and fracture within the group.
Summary
Awoken by insistent knocks, Alexis slips from Helen’s room to prevent Helen—sleep-aiming a loaded Beretta—from firing. In the hall, Achilles blocks her. Alexis, still traumatized by Rome, confronts Achilles in sign about abandoning her; Achilles counters that she hid her fluency. He offers no apology, heightening Alexis’s resentment.
Patro appears, impeccably composed, saying they have been trying to speak privately. When Alexis attempts to retreat, Achilles blocks her again. Patro claims they want to apologize for Rome. Alexis states Achilles would always choose Patro, ending discussion. Patro insists it’s not like that, but can’t meet her eyes.
Shifting to their agenda, Achilles signs that their previous offer stands. Patro whispers they can help Alexis break her marriage bond by using her power to bring her husbands to the brink of death. Alexis recoils and refuses. Patro presses, accusing her of fear and difficulty.
Without consent, Patro jabs Alexis with an Olympian vial, extracting her blood “to protect” her. Hell’s eyes flare red, and Alexis threatens retribution. Patro urges her to signal them when ready and warns that Ceres is lying and playing her, provoking Alexis’s fierce defense of Ceres. Achilles pulls Patro back as Alexis signs that they are cowards; they withdraw into the shadows.
Shaken, Alexis returns to bed in tears. Hell offers to kill for her, which she refuses. Poco comforts her, and Nyx wakes with sardonic commentary, closing the scene on Alexis’s isolation and rising distrust.
Who Appears
- AlexisProtagonist; confronts Achilles and Patro, refuses their plan to sever her marriages, and suffers Patro stealing her blood.
- PatroPresses Alexis to nearly kill her husbands to break bonds; steals her blood, claims protection, warns Ceres is lying.
- AchillesBlocks Alexis, argues about her hidden signing, offers prior deal, shields Patro, but never apologizes for Rome.
- HellBone hound; eyes flare red, protects Alexis, growls at Patro and Achilles, later offers to kill for her.
- PocoFluffy companion; hisses at Patro, comforts Alexis after the confrontation.
- NyxSerpentine familiar around Alexis’s neck; wakes later with sharp, comic commentary.
- HelenAsleep with a bedazzled Beretta; nearly points it at Alexis during the disturbance.