Chapter 19

In the JE reading room, Alex and Dawes debate the Gauntlet, fear, and the Praetor’s meddling. Dawes outlines a plan to begin the walk at midnight on Halloween: mark four doorways with blood, open the door to hell, and reveal four graves for four murderers. They weigh weapons and risks, noting souls—not bodies—will descend, and worry about drawing Grays on Halloween.

Alex recalls Darlington’s disappearance and Dawes’s belief he was “eaten,” suggesting demonic transformation is unlikely for them. They confront the need for a living watcher who can see Grays, reject involving Michelle, and briefly consider compulsion magic, which Alex forbids.

Mercy, who has been listening, volunteers to serve as their guardian. Alex resists, fearing for Mercy’s safety, but Mercy insists, reminding Alex of mutual rescues and demanding no memory tampering. Dawes concedes they need help.

Mercy immediately proves useful, identifying an unmarked door in the University Librarian’s office that leads to the Linonia and Brothers reading room. This hidden passage completes the full circuit around the courtyard that the blueprints fail to show, making the Gauntlet walk achievable.

With this revelation, Dawes defers to Alex as Virgil. Alex, accepting both the risk and Mercy’s commitment, formally welcomes Mercy to Lethe, securing a watcher and a workable route for the Halloween descent.