Chapter 38: Baz

Baz and Kai race through Dovermere as a shriek and familiar dread—Jordyn’s umbra—echoes. They reach the Belly of the Beast, where two umbrae battle and students rise in a trance while Emory approaches the open Door within the Hourglass. Baz unleashes his time-magic, freezing tide and students, but a force of light and dark binds him before he can stop Emory or Keiran.

Emory’s binds prove to be controlled by Keiran, who stands between her and Baz, channeling stolen light-and-dark magic. Kai tackles Keiran into the shallows and pummels him as the umbrae hover, seeming to bolster Kai’s Collapsed power. At Emory’s tearful command, Kai halts; the umbrae obey his quiet order to “Sleep,” dissolving into shadow.

With the cavern stilled, Baz warns Emory that Keiran intended to use her as a vessel and sacrifice students. Emory confirms Keiran’s plan to rouse the Tides to eradicate Eclipse-born and admits he killed Lizaveta, whose body lies nearby. Emory insists she must enter the Deep to find and bring back Romie, accepting that only her Tidecaller blood may protect her.

Emory extracts a message for Kai—Romie “left it for him to find”—then steels herself. Baz and Emory share an emotional farewell, acknowledging what they’ve risked and changed in each other. Baz resolves to hold the tide and save the students while Emory answers the Door’s call.

Emory steps into the darkness and disappears. In the same breath, Keiran, no longer unconscious, scrambles after her. Baz tries to stop him with time, but the Deep’s magic is swifter, and Keiran vanishes through the Door as well.