Chapter 44

Bree, Nick, Zoe, and Mariah sit together in the auditorium for another of Mikael’s communions. Nick spots Ava sitting alone in the front row, and both Nick and Bree suspect Ava is planning something. Mikael begins the ritual by reinforcing his illusion, and Bree recognizes this as a precaution against losing control of his human disguise while feeding.

The first participant denies attacking Mikael’s guard or entering the outbuilding, then offers other truths as tribute. Because the woman feels no shame about her crime, Mikael changes tactics and draws out the pain of a betrayal by her sister. The next three communions expose more elite wrongdoing, including dangerous corporate neglect, drug-price manipulation, and judicial bribery.

The final participant is the third thief Mikael’s circle identified. The man moves unnaturally and resists Mikael’s questions until he admits he tried to break into the outbuilding and claims a woman made him do it. Nick sees a spell woven through the man’s body and recognizes it as the same magic used on the warlocks who attacked Bree and Nick, leading Bree and Nick to conclude Ava sent them and timed the mesmer to fade before anyone could tie it to her.

When Mikael demands to know who controlled the thief, the man struggles between Mikael’s compulsion and Ava’s spell, then retracts the accusation and says he lied. Mikael’s temper breaks, his illusion flickers, and Mikael throws a dagger into the man’s chest. The lights cut before the blood spills, and Ava immediately leaves while most of the audience remains fascinated rather than horrified.

Nick and Bree follow Ava, forcing themselves to move calmly until they reach the hallway, then break into a sprint. Nick quickly outpaces Bree, and Bree loses both Nick and Ava in Penumbra’s corridors. When two guards find Bree alone, Bree lies that she overheated after the communion and got lost looking for the kitchen; the guards accept the explanation and escort Bree toward the dining room.

At dinner, Nick is absent, and Zoe, Mariah, and Bree sit in grim silence after witnessing another execution. Zoe sends Bree to find Nick while Zoe looks after Mariah. Bree searches Penumbra’s lower floor and eventually reaches a humid hallway near the indoor pool, where Bree hears voices and retreats, only for an unseen person to clamp a hand over Bree’s mouth and drag Bree away.