37. Harlow

Harlow endures an interrogation over dinner as her parents scrutinize her aura and question her Mountain Haven wedding. Able barges in, escalating tensions with crude jabs until their father halts him. The family finally acknowledges the Drained have evolved, targeting women for breeding. Harlow, angry she was sent into danger uninformed, claims she encountered one on the road and rebukes their withheld intel.

Testing her father, Harlow hints that Kellan suggested a reason the Havenwoods might blame Lunameade. Provoked, her father admits he set holy fire to force a horde north and personally steered them to Mountain Haven’s wall during the fall ten years ago, prioritizing the city’s safety. Able hysterically laughs at the confession until his guard, Nick, sedates him and Gaven helps carry him out.

With Able removed, her parents pivot to politics: Rafe publicly sought control of the city’s northern guard, threatening their power. They direct Harlow to manipulate Henry into accusing Rafe of influencing the old horde, timing it for the Dark Star Festival—especially Agony night—so the rumor will spread through the mourning crowds.

They outline a festival-long campaign: ignite suspicion on Agony, stoke it during Descent with a public scene, and produce incriminating “evidence” by the Dawn to topple Rafe’s standing. Calculating the risks, Harlow agrees only if she is guaranteed the tunnel key, full cooperation from her siblings, supplies, and no tail from Gaven when she leaves. After a tense beat, her father grudgingly consents.