Chapter 3
Chapter Eleven
Overview
Dark wielders in scribe robes infiltrate Basgiath's infirmary and brig in an attempt to rescue Jack Barlowe. Violet, Rhiannon, and Ridoc fight multiple venin in the tunnels and lower levels, but Xaden arrives using shadow magic to kill the remaining threats. Afterward, Xaden reveals a disturbing truth: he can sense the venin because he has become one of them.
Summary
The infirmary is attacked by dark wielders disguised as scribes. Violet, Rhiannon, and Ridoc respond immediately, discovering desiccated bodies in the overflow beds and realizing the attackers have been feeding undetected. Moving through the tunnels, Violet kills a venin disguised as a scribe by recognizing his movements are inconsistent with a cadet's behavior. They encounter two frightened first-year riders and direct them to safety before pursuing the attackers downward. In the brig's antechamber, four venin attempt to break into Jack Barlowe's cell. A female venin with a silver braid and red eyes notices Violet and mysteriously vanishes. During the fight, one of Barlowe's guards is killed before Violet can reach him. Xaden emerges from shadow magic, dispatching the remaining venin with brutal efficiency. In the aftermath, Colonel Panchek dismisses them after a brief debrief, noting that Barlowe will die within a week from drained stones and cannot hear or see outside his cell. Later, Xaden pulls Violet aside on the staircase. He reveals that Sgaeyl still refuses to speak to him and that he senses the venin because he has fundamentally changed—he has become one of them. He can feel them calling to him and perceives the source of power beneath Basgiath the way venin do.
Characters
- VioletProtagonist who fights dark wielders in the infirmary and brig, then learns a devastating truth about Xaden's transformation
- TairnViolet's dragon who communicates with her mentally during the battle and expresses concern about her power
- SawyerGiven a dagger to defend himself but remains in the infirmary
- RhiannonFights alongside Violet against the dark wielders in the tunnels and brig
- RidocFights with Violet and Rhiannon, challenges the venin's speed and skill
- WinifredInfirmary attendant who tries to stop Violet from leaving
- Two Second Wing ridersSent to check the bridge and help in the defense
- AndarnaXaden's dragon who makes a dark suggestion about roasting the bodies
- Red-rimmed scribeVenin disguised as a scribe; killed by Violet's thrown dagger
- Two first-year riders in cream robesEncountered in tunnel; warned to retreat to the Archives
- Four dark wielders in brigAttack the brig to rescue Jack Barlowe; killed during the fight
- Second lieutenant guardPinned to table and killed by venin before Violet arrives
- Two brig corpsesAlready dead when the fight begins
- Female venin with silver braidNotices Violet and mysteriously vanishes using unknown power
- Female venin with blond hair and jeweled swordKilled by Violet's thrown dagger in the throat
- Black-haired veninMoves unnaturally fast and fights Violet before being killed by Xaden's shadows
- XadenArrives using shadow magic to kill the remaining venin; later reveals he has become a venin and can sense them
- GarrickSecond lieutenant who descends stairs with Xaden; expresses concern about leaving Violet and Xaden alone
- ImogenMentioned as having walked with Violet earlier; requested through Garrick that Violet reconsider sleeping arrangements
- BodhiMentioned as wanting to sleep at the foot of Violet and Xaden's bed
- Colonel PanchekCommandant who conducts debrief about the attack
- MelgrenMentioned as already knowing about the attack
- SorrengailMentioned as Violet's sister who placed protective wards before leaving
- Jack BarloweImprisoned in cell; target of the venin rescue attempt
- SgaeylXaden's dragon who refuses to speak to him