Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 2
Overview
Trystan is held in a custom prison where darkness, pain, chains, and blocked magic leave him nearly powerless. Benedict interrogates him for the mated guvres and exposes deeper connections among starlight magic, the captive female guvre, Trystan’s parents, Arthur’s imprisonment, and Evie’s missing mother.
The chapter intensifies Trystan’s vulnerability by forcing him to confront his fear of the dark and his helplessness over Evie. Benedict ends the encounter by claiming Evie is dead, a psychological blow meant to break Trystan and raise the stakes of the conflict.
Summary
Trystan Maverine is imprisoned in a dark stone chamber designed to contain him and suppress his magic. The darkness triggers his greatest fear, and while other prisoners wail nearby, Trystan searches the wall for a door and tries not to think about Evie Sage being taken by Otto Warsen.
King Benedict enters unseen and mocks Trystan’s condition. After Trystan insults him, a guard strikes Trystan and chains his wrists to the wall, making Trystan both hurt and immobilized. Benedict then demands the mated guvres, claiming they are essential to the kingdom’s future and offering Trystan a chance at redemption.
Trystan refuses and needles Benedict for the truth. Benedict reveals that he believes he has been failed by Trystan and by the female guvre, and says mistakes can be rectified, beginning with Evie’s mother. Trystan masks his reaction, but Benedict notices the importance of Evie’s name to him.
After Benedict sends the guards away, Trystan openly connects their past work: hunting starlight magic, capturing the female guvre, Benedict identifying Trystan’s magic, and the rumors of Rennedawn’s Story. Benedict nearly strikes him, then compares Trystan to his mother and mentions Arthur, prompting Trystan to ask whether Arthur will be released now that Benedict has captured the real Villain.
Benedict refuses to give a clear answer, saying only that he will obtain the guvres at any cost. As Benedict leaves, Trystan threatens to destroy him publicly if Evie has been harmed. Benedict answers with calculated cruelty, telling Trystan that Evie is dead.
Who Appears
- Trystan MaverineThe captive Villain, terrified of darkness, tortured by Benedict, and desperate to protect Evie.
- King BenedictInterrogates Trystan for the mated guvres and weaponizes claims about Evie to torment him.
- Evie SageAbsent but central; Trystan fears Otto harmed her, and Benedict claims she is dead.
- ArthurTrystan’s father, imprisoned after being falsely accused of being The Villain.
- Otto WarsenRemembered as Evie’s captor, intensifying Trystan’s fear and helplessness.
- GuardsBenedict’s enforcers, striking and chaining Trystan during the interrogation.