The Drowned Gods, #1
Curious Tides
by Pascale Lacelle
Contents
Chapter 37: Emory
Overview
Keiran reveals his plan to make Emory the Tides’ vessel and murders Lizaveta, but Emory refuses him. When Jordyn’s umbra attacks, Emory manipulates light and then forges a second, fear-born umbra to counter it. As the tide surges, she protects the Selenics, unlocks the Hourglass with her blood, and steps toward the Deep to seek Romie.
Summary
Keiran stabs Lizaveta, then tries to compel Emory to become the Tides’ vessel, promising sacred power. Emory sees his manipulation, recognizes his plan to erase Eclipse-born through her, and refuses. Their confrontation strips away any pretense of care as Keiran demands she open the door to the Deep.
The cavern chills as Jordyn’s umbra attacks. Keiran shields himself with light, but Emory wrenches that light away to protect herself, leaving Keiran exposed. The umbra feeds on Keiran’s fears, dropping him. When it turns toward the sleeping Selenics, Emory’s barrier proves too thin to stop it.
Unable to rely on hope or light, Emory weaponizes her own fears, manifesting a second umbra to battle Jordyn’s. The two nightmares collide as the tide surges into the Belly of the Beast, threatening to drown them all. With Keiran rising again and the water climbing, Emory recognizes she is trapped unless she finds another way.
Emory presses her bloody hand to the Hourglass, unlocking a starlit fissure to the Deep. Torn between saving the others and following the call beyond, she strengthens the Selenics’ protection, urges them to rise, and ignores Keiran’s command. Drawn by the darkness and the hope of finding Romie, Emory steps toward the Deep.
Who Appears
- Emory AinsRefuses Keiran’s plan, manipulates light, forges a fear-born umbra, protects Selenics, and opens the Hourglass to the Deep.
- KeiranReveals Emory as intended Tides’ vessel; uses Glamour; stabbed Lizaveta; is attacked by Jordyn’s umbra; tries to stop Emory.
- Jordyn (Umbra)Nightmare entity that assaults Keiran and preys on fears until countered by Emory’s fabricated umbra.
- LizavetaStabbed in the throat by Keiran and dies beside the Hourglass.
- VirgilSleeping Selenic first targeted by the umbra; later stirred as Emory strengthens protections.
- NishaSelenic who begins to rouse when Emory amplifies protective light and commands them to rise.
- IfeSelenic who wakes dazed as the tide rises and Emory shields the group.