The Legendborn Cycle, #3
Oathbound
by Tracy Deonn
Contents
Chapter 48
Overview
Bree, Nick, Mariah, and Zoe return to Mikael’s auction with a plan to let Ava make her move for the Shadow King’s crown, but the unexpected arrival of Gabriel, a Regent who can recognize Bree and Nick, raises the danger. Ava successfully buys the crown, keeping the group’s focus on intercepting her after the auction rather than confronting her in the crowded room.
The chapter then shifts the stakes when Mikael unveils the final lot: four vials of captured Root, turning the auction from a pursuit of the crown into evidence of a much broader exploitation of Rootcraft power.
Summary
After Nick and Bree spend the rest of the day together, Bree remains unable to rest because everything feels urgent and unsolved. Bree, Nick, Mariah, and Zoe meet to finalize their plan for the final hours at Penumbra. Bree changes into Mariah’s leather jacket, keeps her dress, straps on her hidden dagger, and brings her bag so the group can make a fast exit after the auction.
In the ballroom, the room has been rearranged into pews, and many more warlocks are present. Santiago checks their invitations and gives them bid cards. Ava enters and sits closer to the front, but the group sticks to the plan: allow Ava to bid on the crown, then move after the auction depending on whether Ava wins or pursues the winner.
Bree spots the man who recognized her earlier, and Nick identifies him as Gabriel, a Regent who knows both Bree and Nick’s faces. Mariah and Zoe help conceal Bree and Nick, and the group decides not to act while the room is crowded with warlocks and opponents. Zoe and Nick pointedly remind Bree that she must follow the plan because they are outnumbered and overpowered.
Mikael opens the auction with theatrical ceremony, presenting rare artifacts one by one. Nick explains that Mikael will save the crown for one of the last lots because Mikael understands its magical value and wants to maximize the price. As the bidding continues, Nick grows increasingly tense.
The fourteenth item is unveiled as the Shadow King’s crown, which Mikael describes as the ancient crown of Arawn from Annwfyn. The crown is damaged, its black spires reduced to uneven obsidian spikes. Mikael jokes that a human intermediary is required because rumors say a demon touching the crown would turn to dust. Ava competes against several bidders and ultimately wins the crown for 9.8 million dollars.
Before Bree’s group can act, Mikael introduces the final lot as multiple items whose power lies in whom they represent. Bree fears he may be auctioning Rootcrafter girls, but Mikael instead reveals four crystal vials filled with captured, glowing Root. The living power shifts in different gold hues, including a reddish-gold shade Bree recognizes from a bar bathroom a month earlier.
Who Appears
- BreePrepares for the auction, struggles to wait, and recognizes the threat of captured Root.
- NickHelps plan Ava’s interception, identifies Gabriel, and reacts tensely to the crown.
- AvaAttends the auction, bids aggressively, and wins the Shadow King’s crown.
- MikaelHosts the auction and unveils the crown and four vials of captured Root.
- ZoeSupports the plan, helps hide Bree and Nick, and insists Bree wait.
- MariahEquips Bree, helps conceal the group, and reinforces the need to delay action.
- GabrielRegent who appears at the auction and can recognize both Bree and Nick.
- SantiagoWarlock who checks the group’s invitations and directs them to seats.