Chapter 58

After Natasia warns that Selwyn may be coming, Hazel’s back porch breakfast is abandoned and the group moves inside to plan. Bree struggles with guilt and shame over the danger surrounding her, but reminders from Zoe, Valec, and Edwin help Bree refocus: guilt will not protect anyone, and action is needed.

Natasia asks Bree to create a durable root construct that can persist without Bree maintaining it. Bree draws on her strengthened power and manifests a glowing queen-of-the-night flower, a plant Hazel and Edwin connect to Faye. Hazel explains that the flower blooms in darkness after long unseen growth, making Bree’s spontaneous creation emotionally significant.

Natasia breaks petals from the construct to use as decoys for Selwyn. Natasia, Valec, and Lark will each take pieces of Bree’s power in separate cars while Zoe drives Bree with Bree’s power hidden. Natasia leaves first with the largest bait, William and Lark depart next, and Valec prepares to examine Bree’s soul before leaving, while Bree insists Mariah come with her because the Heart makes Mariah capable in a fight.

Hazel explains that Faye once brought a masked young Bree to Hazel, likely to check whether Bree had inherited Bloodcraft while protecting Bree’s identity from enemies and suspicious Rootcrafters. Hazel then gives Valec a prepared ancestral tea so Hazel can petition Valec’s human ancestors to strengthen Valec’s ability to perceive souls, even though that ability came from Valec’s Shade father. The ritual first triggers a frightening demonic reaction in Valec, but then Valec’s eyes turn golden with root and Valec sees Bree’s soul clearly.

Valec reveals that Erebus’s cuts on Bree’s soul are precise, suggesting Erebus preserved the severed piece so Bree’s soul could be restored if both parties agreed. Valec also sees scar tissue showing Bree healed and kept acting from her own will even after losing the soul-aspect tied to holding on to her community. Encouraged by Valec, Edwin, Nick, and Zoe, Bree recognizes her choices as leadership rather than burden.

With the group waiting for Bree’s decision, Bree calls Erebus using Lark’s phone. Erebus quickly identifies that Bree has called, threatens the Dame’s home if Bree does not arrive at Mikael’s estate by sunset, and reminds Bree of the bargain he holds over her. Bree counters that Erebus has something of hers and Bree has his crown, then offers him the one thing Bree says she will never offer again if Erebus hears Bree out: Bree’s mercy.