Chapter 7: Emory

Late to selenography, Emory is overwhelmed by grief and memories of Romie. After class, Professor Cezerna requires her to retake last spring’s missed Level I exam within two weeks. Passing the Fountain of Fate, Emory notes that most drownings occurred in May and resolves to research the pattern.

In the archives, she finds only sparse articles on past victims until she sees Keiran with Dean Fulton and fears exposure. Instead, Fulton praises Emory’s attempt to help Travers and assures her his death wasn’t her fault. Returning to her table, Emory discovers an anonymously placed microfilm reel.

Viewing the reel, Emory reads an 80-year-old Cadence Gazette piece naming the Selenic Order, a secret society rumored to practice arcane rites and linked to Dovermere deaths, including Giles Caine. She suspects this connects to Romie’s circle and wonders if Keiran planted the clue as aid or trap.

At supper, Penelope joins Emory, offering notes and sympathy. Nearby, Lizaveta’s group gossips that an Eclipse-born Nightmare Weaver collapsed at Dovermere and was taken to the Institute, leaving the Timespinner as the only Eclipse at Aldryn. Emory and Penelope share the mutual loss of friends pulled toward exclusive, illicit parties, and Emory lies that Dovermere was a drunken dare.

Seeking solace, Emory visits Romie’s neglected greenhouse, finding everything dead but Romie’s belongings preserved in a corner. Baz arrives unexpectedly. After mutual apologies and Emory’s partial truth about the caves, Baz agrees to help her learn control—on the conditions that she refrain from using her powers, work seriously, and go to the dean if he deems it too dangerous. They set their first training for morning in the Decrescens library.