Chapter 4

Mariah, Aunt Lu, and Valec meet William beyond Northern’s wards, where William has secretly brought Alice. Alice remains unconscious but physically stable, breathing faint Legendborn aether from William’s healing magic. William explains that Alice is in a coma-like stasis: her injuries are healed, she does not seem to need food or water, and he cannot understand or reverse her condition.

William says Alice cannot stay at Northern because the Regents are coming and Alice has no protection. Aunt Lu examines Alice and agrees Hazel can follow up with William. Mariah touches Alice and senses that death came very close to her, while William’s glowing eyes reveal that he has come prepared to fight if necessary.

When Mariah and Valec ask what happened to Bree and Selwyn, William explains that Sel disappeared from a locked, warded room and Bree vanished outside with an unknown figure who left black, smoky aether behind. William realizes the figure may be the Hunter, the demon Valec and Lu warned them about, and connects the Hunter to Bree’s bloodmark. Valec deflects, then uses William’s promise of owing him a favor as cover to mesmer William into forgetting what he remembered about the Hunter and Bree’s bloodmark.

Larkin arrives and nearly attacks, mistaking Valec for a threat. William explains that he moved Alice to protect her from the Regents, while Larkin is angry that William acted behind his back and forced him into another secret. Valec carries Alice away with Mariah and Aunt Lu after promising she will be protected like one of their own.

In the car, Mariah confronts Valec for violating William’s consent. Valec admits he can mesmer and says he will restore William’s memories later, but argues that the Order must not learn the Hunter may have taken Bree and Sel. If the Legendborn realize their king is in the Hunter’s hands, Valec believes they will target Rootcrafters as the Hunter’s food source or bait. Valec concludes that he, not the Order, must go after Bree, Sel, and the Hunter.