Chapter 38

Arriving at Il Bastone at dusk, the group is shadowed by demons. A lure appears as Alex’s grandmother, but Darlington’s horns manifest and he savages the creature. Alex spontaneously ignites in blue hellfire and restrains Darlington with a fiery leash, forcing him back to human form. The other demons retreat.

At the threshold, Il Bastone trembles, then welcomes Darlington, confirming he can still pass the wards. Inside, they realize Tripp has gone missing and may be avoiding the second descent. Turner insists the descent must occur at the full moon tomorrow; Mercy volunteers, but Dawes refuses to risk her. Darlington offers to be the fourth, though Dawes fears sending him—now altered—back to hell.

Over dinner, they reconstruct Golgarot’s scheme: the murders were a historical puzzle to distract them; Golgarot fed on Darlington’s suffering and followed the Scroll and Key attempt, but lacked enough of Darlington to be trapped by Sandow’s circle. They connect the “wolves” at Black Elm to demons that marked each pilgrim, explaining how their personal demons crossed over when Alex forced the Halloween escape.

They question Lethe’s silence about the Gauntlet and Lionel Reiter, suspecting a cover-up. Alex considers going alone but is told all four must descend to rid themselves of their demons. If Tripp’s demon consumed him, it may now be a vampire, requiring a separate hunt.

They commit to creating a tether, rejecting the Doom Sparrow and the unattainable Voynich manuscript, and instead choose Pierre the Weaver to ensnare their demons briefly and drag them down. Turner raises legal concerns about Lambton and the bodies at Black Elm; Alex promises to handle it. Turner presses for explanations of Darlington’s transformation and Alex’s hellfire leash, but they have none—and Darlington’s evasiveness leaves lingering distrust.