Assistant to the Villain, #2
Apprentice to the Villain
by Hannah Nicole Maehrer
Contents
Chapter 49
Overview
Evie confronts Griffin in the manor dungeon and forces him to answer for his betrayal, only to discover that Nura’s childhood friend was Renna Fortis. The revelation gives Evie a new path toward finding her mother and links Nura’s disappearance to a powerful, legendary family.
The confrontation also tests Evie’s morality, as Evie hurts Griffin and then recoils from how much satisfaction it brings. Griffin’s final claim that Evie should ask her brother about Nura’s magic shifts the mystery toward Evie’s own family and deepens the betrayal.
Summary
Evie descends into the dark dungeon beneath Massacre Manor to confront Griffin Sage, her imprisoned father. With Trystan rescued and the immediate crisis past, Evie can no longer avoid the betrayal Griffin committed by serving the king and deceiving Evie about his health and motives.
Griffin greets Evie with smugness rather than remorse, trying to belittle Evie as immature and provoke an emotional reaction. Evie resists at first, then threatens Griffin with a dagger and demands answers about Nura Sage, the mysterious portrait, and what Griffin and the king did to Nura’s magic.
When Griffin dodges the question and cruelly compares Evie to Nura, Evie loses control. Evie stabs Griffin in the thigh, enters the cell, and briefly hurts Griffin further before recoiling from her own cruelty, realizing Griffin does not deserve the power to change who Evie is.
Under pressure, Griffin reveals that the other girl in Nura’s portrait was Renna Fortis, Nura’s childhood best friend and a member of the legendary Fortis family. The answer gives Evie a strong new lead in the search for Nura and suggests that Nura’s past is tied to one of Rennedawn’s most honored families.
Evie presses Griffin about what he and the king did to Nura. Griffin claims he did what he thought was right and admits he did not mean to destroy Nura, which Evie senses is true. Evie decides Griffin can offer only sorrow and tells him he will never see Evie again.
As Evie leaves, Griffin strikes one final blow. Griffin says that if Evie wants answers about what he and the king did to Nura’s magic, Evie should ask Evie’s brother, revealing or implying that Lyssa’s brother is connected to the secret Evie has been chasing.
Who Appears
- Evie SageConfronts her imprisoned father, seeks answers about Nura, and struggles with vengeance and self-control.
- Griffin SageEvie’s imprisoned father; reveals Renna Fortis’s identity and hints Evie’s brother knows more.