Contents
64. Harlow
Overview
Harlow finds Henry brutalizing Rafe in North Hold and witnesses Henry compel Rafe to leap to his death, ending Rafe’s threat. Henry then offers Harlow a holy-fire lighter—one way to kill a Deathless—to restore her sense of safety. He asks her to return; overwhelmed, Harlow flees.
Summary
Harlow goes to North Hold seeking space from Kellan and forces herself to enter despite dread of memories tied to Aidia’s abuse. Inside, she hears movement and finds Henry on the third-floor landing, bloodied and wielding a fire poker over a battered, bound Rafe.
Henry reveals he has already healed and re-injured Rafe to mirror Harlow’s and Aidia’s wounds, offering Harlow a turn. Harlow declines, deciding she wants Rafe gone rather than to prolong his suffering.
At Henry’s command, Rafe climbs the railing. Harlow makes him beg, then signals she is done. Henry orders, “Rafe, jump to the first floor face-first,” and Rafe obeys, dying on impact. Harlow feels sick yet freed: Rafe can never compel her again—even as she recognizes Henry still could.
Henry acknowledges her urge to punish him for hiding his Deathless blessing and offers a way: he places a lighter in her hand. When Harlow ignites it, blue holy fire appears—one of the few things that can end a Deathless for good. Henry explains he wants her to feel safe after learning what Rafe did and after his betrayal.
Understanding Henry’s intent and contrition, Harlow is moved but overwhelmed. Henry asks her to come back with him. Despite her heart trusting him, her body cannot; she defaults to survival instinct and runs.
Who Appears
- HarlowProtagonist; confronts trauma at North Hold, witnesses Rafe’s death, receives holy-fire lighter, overwhelmed and flees Henry’s plea.
- HenryDeathless healer; tortures and compels Rafe to die, then gives Harlow a holy-fire lighter to restore her safety, asks her to return.
- Rafe MattinglyAbusive mayor; beaten, compelled to beg and then to leap to his death, definitively ending his threat.