Chapter 35: Emory

Emory leads the Selenic Order back into Dovermere at low tide to open the door sooner and try to save Romie. All eight—each lunar house represented—bleed onto the Hourglass and chant. Silver droplets gather and a lock forms, signaling the door’s readiness, but darkness suddenly binds Virgil, Ife, Nisha, Javier, and Louis, rendering them unconscious.

Only Emory, Keiran, and Lizaveta remain standing. Emory realizes the umbra is absent and that the shadows are not hers. Lizaveta is caught amplifying Keiran, whose magic is producing the darkness. Keiran claims the fallen are only asleep and admits the Tides require replacements—one from each lunar house—to keep the Shadow contained, and a mortal vessel strong enough to reunite the Tides and return: Emory.

Keiran frames this as justice for Eclipse-born corruption and a path to restore true lunar magic, revealing his pursuit of Emory as strategic. Emory accuses him of revenge. Lizaveta insists the aim was bringing Farran and others back; Keiran counters that restoring balance supersedes resurrection. He exposes Lizaveta’s earlier sabotage: glamoring Penelope to out Emory to the dean, hoping the vessel would be removed.

Water rises and re-forms the Hourglass lock as the tide approaches. Keiran orders Lizaveta to save only one New Moon member and leave; Lizaveta refuses. Desperate, she lunges at Emory with a knife. Keiran intercepts her and drives the blade into Lizaveta’s neck as the door prepares to open.