Chapter 50

Trystan waits outside the cellar door after Evie goes in, trying and failing to distract himself from the kiss they shared. Kingsley appears with Gideon chasing him, and the frog reveals he has been playing fetch. Trystan’s irritation shifts when Gideon begins speaking about Evie’s childhood and how she spent years pleasing others at her own expense.

Gideon tells Trystan that Evie’s willingness to argue with him is significant because Evie does not let everyone see her real feelings. Gideon says Evie trusts Trystan not to turn on her, which unsettles Trystan because Trystan is trying to treat his attachment to Evie as merely professional. Gideon sees through this and suggests Trystan is emotionally lost to her.

Rebecka, Gushiken, Tatianna, Clare, and others gather near the cellar despite Trystan’s order to return to work. The office has heard that Evie is confronting her father, and concern for Evie has disrupted everyone. Rebecka complains about the chaos until the cellar door suddenly bursts open.

Evie emerges covered in blood, though Trystan quickly learns the blood is not hers. Evie focuses on Gideon, raises her dagger, and shoves him against the wall after saying she has seen their father. Gideon panics and flees, knocking Evie to the floor as he escapes.

Trystan instinctively goes to Evie rather than pursuing Gideon, revealing the force of Trystan’s concern. Evie gets up immediately and runs after Gideon with the dagger, leaving Trystan struck by pride, wonder, and fear. Remembering Ellia’s warning not to cause harm, Trystan worries that Evie is moving closer to darkness and that Trystan may become the person who damages the one person he wants to save.