Chapter Twenty-Nine

Violet faces a brutal interrogation by Vice Commandant Varrish, who attempts to force Dain to use his truth-sensing signet against her. When Dain refuses and leaves, Varrish beats her unconscious. After Nolon heals her the next morning, he subtly helps the group escape by luring Varrish away, allowing Violet's squad to break down the door and flee the detention chamber.

Dain arrives at the interrogation chamber where Violet is being held, and Varrish manipulates him into attempting to extract secrets from her memory using his classified signet ability. Varrish implies Violet has revealed Dain's signet to her squadmates and suggests she knows why Soleil and Liam died, attempting to provoke Dain's jealousy by mentioning her connection to Xaden. Violet urges Xaden through their bond not to attempt a rescue, fearing it will expose their knowledge to Varrish. Dain ultimately refuses to participate, citing regulations, and leaves. Varrish punches Violet's dislocated shoulder in retaliation, knocking her unconscious. The next morning, Nolon tends to her injuries and reveals Varrish has extended the interrogation until the following day, intending to repeatedly torture her. Nolon hints that Violet should escape and deliberately leaves the window unlocked before luring Varrish away on a pretext. With Varrish gone, Violet's squadmates work to escape: Sawyer melts the hinges of the inner door with his signet, and Violet discovers her dagger can unlock the main door through an unexplained magical property when she touches it to the lock. The group retrieves their weapons and escapes the chamber.