Chapter 28

From Gideon Sage’s perspective, life inside Massacre Manor is unsettling and revealing. Gideon notices that The Villain runs his office very differently from the Valiant Guard: Trystan knows his people, seems to care about their work, and only softens when Evie is nearby. Gideon remains under watch by Malevolent Guards Keeley and Min, who prevent him from moving freely.

When Gideon enters the office, Evie confronts him because Lyssa is present. Gideon meets Lyssa properly for the first time, and Lyssa immediately asks why Gideon did not come home after recovering his memory five years ago. Gideon admits he has no good excuse, explaining that he felt unable to leave and then became afraid to face what he had abandoned.

Lyssa accuses Gideon of leaving Evie to be afraid and responsible alone, which deeply wounds Gideon. Gideon realizes that his return cannot erase the years of absence, and he blames himself for failing Evie and Lyssa. This encounter forces Gideon to recognize that his desire for redemption is not the same as earning forgiveness.

Trystan interrupts to announce that he, Evie, Tatianna, and Clare are leaving to investigate a lead on an enchantress who may be able to repair the manor’s failing defenses, which now expose a door and a second-floor window from the forest. Gideon asks to join, but both Evie and Trystan refuse, ordering him to stay behind. Lyssa then invites Gideon to play with her, offering him a fragile chance to begin reconnecting.

Lyssa suggests playing “Flying Guard,” revealing that she saw a guard fly from the roof that morning. Evie realizes Trystan threw or sent a guard named Damien off the roof, and she has Luna reset the incident board despite Trystan protesting that Damien was not an intern. Before leaving, Tatianna warns Gideon not to keep his secrets too long, prompting Gideon to think about the hidden truths of his father’s manipulation, Griffin and the king’s abuse of his magic, and the secrets that could potentially topple an empire.

After the group departs, Trystan leaves Blade Gushiken and Ms. Erring in charge, though Ms. Erring disputes Blade’s authority. Gideon watches a crowned green frog follow the departing party and concludes that Massacre Manor is an extremely strange place.