26 Meryn

Shocked by Ruby’s reveal, Meryn fixates on the absence of a body and faces the man who looks like her father, with Anassa guarding her. She orders everyone away, then tests him at knifepoint. His missing finger and intimate childhood memories convince Meryn he is truly her father.

Letting anger govern her control, Meryn binds him to a chair with shadows and demands answers. He explains his battalion’s ambush, near death, and Ruby’s offer to turn him; he stayed away believing his return as a Siphon would endanger them. Meryn explodes, revealing Nathalia’s decline and death and the burden of raising Saela alone.

He expresses regret and asks Meryn to consider Ruby’s offer, claiming Astreona treats humans as citizens and could be a strong ally. Meryn counters that he has no right to advice after abandoning his family. He begs a chance to earn trust and to meet Saela.

Anassa interjects that Astreona might help Saela control or even reverse her transformation. Meryn, still furious, loosens her shadows and dismisses her father, refusing reconciliation. He leaves in regret, returning to Ruby.

Alone, Meryn’s grief and rage surge until she seeks an outlet. She rejoins Stark, admits she needs to hurt something, and follows him away to work out her fury, with Anassa close behind.