Alex Stern, #2
Hell Bent
by Leigh Bardugo
Contents
Chapter 14
Overview
Campus reels from Dean Beekman’s murder as Alex brings Detective Turner to Black Elm to confront the trapped, transformed Darlington. Turner rejects involvement, but Darlington ominously predicts a third victim. The arrival of Darlington’s parents at Black Elm escalates the stakes and threatens the group’s secrecy.
Summary
News of Dean Beekman’s murder spreads, plunging Yale into genuine grief and fear. Alex notes official spin downplaying campus danger and recalls prior deaths that drew less attention. She arranges for Detective Turner to pick her up after class and drive to Black Elm, hoping to enlist him despite his skepticism.
On arrival, Dawes warns this is a mistake, fearing Turner will report them. Inside the ballroom, Turner freezes at the sight of horned, glowing Darlington confined within the golden circle. Startled and wary, Turner declares he wants no part of Lethe’s occult dealings, insisting on solving his case through ordinary police work.
Alex argues Turner can’t ignore what he’s seen and that Darlington is trapped and needs help. Darlington addresses Turner directly, sensing death on him and engaging him through a shared biblical reference. When Turner mentions the recent murders, Darlington coolly predicts there will be a third victim, further unsettling Turner.
As tensions peak, the doorbell rings and Dawes’s phone buzzes with door-camera images. She identifies the unexpected visitors as Darlington’s parents, alarming the group and threatening exposure of Darlington’s condition and their clandestine efforts at Black Elm.
Who Appears
- Alex SternPushes Turner to see Darlington at Black Elm, argues they need his help despite Lethe rules.
- Detective Abel TurnerSees horned Darlington, recoils from occult involvement, probes murders, hears prediction of a third.
- Pamela DawesAnxious about exposing Black Elm to police; identifies unexpected visitors as Darlington’s parents.
- Daniel Arlington (Darlington)Transformed and trapped in a golden circle; senses death on Turner; predicts a third victim.
- Darlington’s parentsArrive unexpectedly at Black Elm, threatening to expose the group’s secret.